Tributes to Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor

Many tributes and condolence messages have been arriving following the death of Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor yesterday afternoon. The following messages are from Pope Francis, The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, Archbishop Eamon Martin, Primate of All Ireland, Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP, Archbishop of Liverpool, European Bishops, The Constantinian Order and Newman University.

Pope Francis sent the following message to Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster

Deeply saddened to learn of the death of Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, Archbishop Emeritus of Westminster, I hasten to offer my heartfelt condolences to you and to the clergy and faithful of the Archdiocese.

Recalling with immense gratitude the late Cardinal’s distinguished service to the Church in England and Wales, his unwavering devotion to the preaching of the Gospel and the care of the poor, and his far-sighted commitment to the advancement of ecumenical and interreligious understanding, I willingly join you in commending his noble soul to the infinite mercies of God our heavenly Father.

To all who mourn his passing in the sure hope of the Resurrection I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of consolation and strength in the Lord.

FRANCISCUS PP.

Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby

The news of the death of Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O-Connor today represents a loss to his innumerable friends, to the church and to the country.

Cormac was a bishop for four decades but was first and foremost a servant of God and disciple of Jesus Christ. His humility, sense and holiness made him a church leader of immense impact. When he was called from the Diocese Arundel and Brighton to be Archbishop of Westminster, Pope St John Paul II made reference to the fact that he had already been a bishop for a number of years and that it was natural that he should turn to him to succeed Cardinal Hume as Archbishop. It was natural because in Cormac people saw something of Christ.

Cormac was a good friend to Anglicans at home and internationally. As the Catholic co-chair of the second phase of the Anglican – Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC II) he lent both his customary good humour and his theological acumen to the production of some of the most influential of ecumenical agreed texts of the twentieth century. At a time when others bemoaned the lack of instant progress in ecumenical relations, Cormac saw the work of ARCIC as an investment and a building block for future closer relations. At home he was notable for his support for interchurch families and, whilst he was Rector of the Venerable English College in Rome, for the support and encouragement of a scheme that is still going giving Church of England ordinands the opportunity to study in Rome. He cared for Anglican leaders he knew, encouraged and supported them, drawing them into the fellowship of Christ.

He will be remembered with thanks and affection by all whose lives he touched. He was a great raconteur and story-teller, amusing, but always with a purpose. His words and his life drew people to God. His genial warmth, pastoral concern and genuine love for those in his care will be missed, but also celebrated with thanks. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

Archbishop Eamon Martin Primate of All Ireland

Following the death of Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor today, Archbishop Eamon Martin released the following statement: "I was very saddened to hear of the death today of Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop Emeritus of Westminster.

"At this sad time, I also want to remember his sterling commitment to Christian unity and his work for the relationship between all who follow Christ.

"Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor was a deeply spiritual priest, known for his warmth, good humour and humility. Any time I met Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor, he was always proud of his heritage and held great affection for the Church in this country.

"Conscious of his family connections in this country, I express, on behalf of the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference, my sincere sympathies to the family of the late Cardinal Cormac. I also want to express my condolences to Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the bishops, priests and faithful of Westminster diocese. I invite the faithful in Ireland to pray for the happy repose of the soul of Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam."

Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP, Archbishop of Liverpool

It was with great sadness that I heard of the death of Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor this afternoon. I will remember him for his humanity, his sense of humour and for the great care which he showed to his brother bishops, priests, the people he served and all who he met.

He was always approachable, willing to give his time to listen to anyone and to offer any help he could. We will miss him greatly here in Liverpool as he was a frequent visitor to our archdiocese sharing in many of our celebrations.

He was a holy and spiritual man who I am sure will now be praying for us all in the presence of his Lord.
May he rest in peace.

European Bishops

Having learnt the sad news of the passing of the Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop Emeritus of Westminster, Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, Archbishop of Genoa and President of the CCEE, addressed a message of condolence to the Catholic Church of London and of all England and Wales, assuring them closeness and prayer, through Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the current archbishop of Westminster and Vice-President of the CCEE, in which he remembers how "the European Bishops and, in particular, the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences, of which his eminence Cardinal Murphy O'Connor was vice-president from 2001 to 2006, was able to know and benefit from his joy and commitment to evangelization and, especially, to the unity of Christians, not only in England but throughout the European continent. "

The Council of European Bishops’ Conferences of Europe (CCEE) currently gathers 33 European Bishops’ Conferences, represented by their Presidents, plus the Archbishops of Luxembourg, of the Principality of Monaco, the Maronite Archbishop of Cyprus and the Bishop of Chişinău (Moldova Rep.), the Eparchial Bishop of Mukachevo and the Apostolic Administrator of Estonia. The President is Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, Archbishop of Genoa; Vice-Presidents are Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, and Msgr Stanisław Gądecki, Archbishop of Poznań. The Secretary General is Mgr Duarte da Cunha.

Constantinian Order

Delegation Prior Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor passes away

London, 1 September 2017. The Delegation of Great Britain and Ireland notes with much regret and profound sadness the passing of His Eminence Cormac, Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor, aged 85.

Cardinal Cormac was a longstanding supporter of the Order and as Prior of the Delegation of Great Britain & Ireland of the Constantinian Order he served as the spiritual head in our countries. His Eminence was first invested into the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George in 2002 as a Bailiff Knight Grand Cross of Justice. In 2013 Cardinal Cormac was appointed by the Grand Master, HRH The Duke of Castro, to the rank and dignity of Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Francis I in recognition of his many years of service as Prior of the British and Irish Delegation.

In 2000, Cormac Murphy O-Connor became leader of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales and was appointed as cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2001. He retired in 2009 on his 75th birthday.

Cardinal Cormac will be greatly missed.

Rest in peace. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam. Requiescat in pace.

Yours confraternally

ANTHONY BAILEY
DELEGATE

Newman University

Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor, Chancellor of Newman University


We are very saddened to hear the news of the death of Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor, Chancellor of Newman University.

Professor Scott Davidson, Vice Chancellor of Newman University, Birmingham, said: "The thoughts of everyone at Newman University are with our Chancellor Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor at this time and we pray that his strong faith gives comfort to his family, friends and colleagues.

"Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor has been a real advocate for the university – one of the first Catholic universities in England since the Reformation – since his appointment in 2014 and has proven to be a trusted and supportive advisor to both myself and my predecessor as Vice Chancellor during that time.

"A pioneer in his ecumenical and interfaith work, he provided spiritual guidance during an unprecedented period of social change and, as a university that is committed to providing students with a formative education shaped by intellectual rigour and an awareness of how their actions and decisions impact and are shaped by the world around them, he was the natural choice to be our inaugural Chancellor."

Statement issued by The Most Reverend Malcolm McMahon OP, Archbishop of Liverpool, on the death of Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor.

It was with great sadness that I heard of the death of Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor this afternoon. I will remember him for his humanity, his sense of humour and for the great care which he showed to his brother bishops, priests, the people he served and all who he met.

He was always approachable, willing to give his time to listen to anyone and to offer any help he could. We will miss him greatly here in Liverpool as he was a frequent visitor to our archdiocese sharing in many of our celebrations.

He was a holy and spiritual man who I am sure will now be praying for us all in the presence of his Lord.
May he rest in peace.

See also: Funeral rites for Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor www.indcatholicnews.com/news/33324