Archbishop McCarrick Mourns Death of Mother Teresa Archbishop Theodore E. McCarrick of Newark has expressed his sorrow at the death of Mother Teresa. He has offered his prayers and condolences to the Missionary Sisters of Charity. His full statement follows: "The Catholic Church in our day, and especially in our corner of it here in Newark has been enriched by the life of Mother Teresa. A devoted religious daughter of the Church and an extraordinary missionary with tremendous zeal and energy, the witness of her life has been a model of simplicity, piety, and charity. Although she attracted universal attention, she always directed the focus away from herself, and towards the good that others do to help the unfortunate. She was truly the mother of "the poorest of the poor." "Mother Teresa encouraged everyone to follow the example of the Jesus, to love their neighbor as themselves. She was an untiring advocate for the sanctity of life, of the preservation of the family, and of charity to the least and most abandoned among us. "I have had the special grace of knowing Mother Teresa and the Missionary sisters of Charity for many years. In this Archdiocese, her sisters in Newark and Plainfield, have given generous and loving witness to the ideals which Mother has both taught and exemplified and I thank God for their commitment. Mother often spoke of the faithfulness and generosity of our people to her sisters and to her work around the world. I am profoundly saddened at the death of MotherTeresa. She was food friend to the people of our Archdiocese. But I have no doubt that the God she served so unconditionally will welcome her lovingly to heaven where I am sure she will continue to pray for us and for the poorest of the poor throughout the world." Archbishop McCarrick will celebrate a Mass for the Missionary Sisters in Newark tomorrow morning. The Mass will be private at the request of the sisters. Newark Superior of Missionary Sisters of Charity Statement Sr. Noreen, Newark Superior of the Missionary Sisters of Charity made the following statement today. 9/6/97 "It is a time of both sadness and joy for all our sisters. It is a time of sadness because we have lost a loved one who supported us in our desire to serve the Lord Jesus. Mother Teresa was truly both our mother and sister. She loved each of us equally and unconditionally. She was an inspiration in our daily lives. We are joyful in the knowledge that Mother is with Our Heavenly Father and lives in the light of His love. We are confident then she will be interceding with God on behalf of the entire world and especially the poor whom we love so much." Sisters Learn of Mother Teresa's Death While at Cathedral Word of Mother Teresa's death came to Archbishop Theodore McCarrick as he and hundreds of Cardinals, Bishops and priests were processing into the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark for the Ordination of Bishop Paul Bootkoski. The Archbishop was aware that there were some 30 Missionary sisters of Charity attending the ordination ceremonies and that they were unaware of the events. The Archbishop made arrangements for the sisters to be taken to Our Lady Chapel behind the main altar so that they could be informed in private. The sisters were escorted to the chapel after Communion where representatives of the Archbishop told the sisters and prayed with them. The sisters were assisted in returning to their local convent by priests of the Archdiocese and law enforcement personnel who were at the ordination ceremonies. The Archbishop instructed staff to assist the sisters in maintaining their privacy. He also sent a priest representative with the sister to celebrate Mass at the convent. At the end of the Ordination ceremonies, Archbishop McCarrick informed more than 2200 people gathered that Mother Teresa had died. He led the congregation in prayer for her. Cardinals John O'Connor of New York and Anthony Bevilacqua of Philadelphia along with some 40 bishops who were attending the ordination joined the Archbishop in prayer. The congregation was shocked by the announcement and there was a audible gasp when the Archbishop informed them of Mother Teresa's death. The Cathedral resounded in the prayers of the people who were remembering the impact Mother Teresa had on our world.
|
