Further tributes to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth

Image: WCCM

Cardinal Arthur Roche

On Wednesday morning at Rome's Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, English Cardinal Arthur Roche celebrated a Mass of Remembrance for Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Cardinal Roche is prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

In his homily for the occasion, Cardinal Roche recalled fondly how so many throughout the world expressed their great affection and joined together in "commemorating, praying for and paying tribute to a very great woman - a deeply loving wife and proud mother, grandmother and great-grandmother - a dedicated Sovereign who exercised wise leadership - and is now greatly missed." To read on see: www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2022-09/cardinal-roche-pays-tribute-to-queen-elizabeth-at-mass.html

World Community for Christian Meditation - Fr Laurence Freeman

Our community mourns with the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth - indeed worldwide - at the passing of such a woman of global inspiration.

Her sense of duty to her inherited role had a deeply religious character. She made many of us feel it was truly a silent sacrifice of self, rooted in her Christian understanding of service. Her resilience and joyfulness were qualities nurtured by her spiritual life.

However serious in this respect, she communicated a warmly inclusive, humane and humorous, personal directness in her meeting with people at all levels of society. Even as a symbol of hierarchy she represented unity.

Beyond politics, as she had to be, and strongly reserved in expressing her personal views, she also managed to convey her core values and beliefs in a most authentic - and silent - way.

In an age where leadership is often impaired and dysfunctional, she represented its best qualities: fidelity, interiority and balance. In this way she allowed her personal faith and spirit of prayer to shine through her words and her style of performing her duties. What she stood for and represented therefore was never felt as an imposition on others.

No wonder people everywhere will grieve her loss from the world stage, whatever their relationship to the institution, and miss her way of embodying service with natural grace.

She ascended the throne when I was a year old. (She was born the same year as John Main). The Queen's passing is the end of an historical era. Her symbolic presence had become global, so her loss is felt very widely.

This is not time just for nostalgia. A contemplative response would be to use it for reflection on the worrying direction we are presently taking collectively into the future. This pause in busyness will be inspired by the personal example of altruistic service that she lived throughout her seventy year reign.

May she rest in peace. And may her successor, King Charles III, be fortified by her inspiration and occupy this unique role true to his own best spiritual and global values.

Christian Aid - Archbishop John Sentamu

All of us at Christian Aid are deeply saddened to hear the news today of Her Majesty The Queen's passing.

Our chair and former Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, shared these words:

"The Queen dedicated her life to our country. We will always be grateful for her truly remarkable service. She leaves behind a powerful legacy, not least in championing friendship between people of all faiths and races, and promoting development

"For those who share a Christian faith, The Queen's own deep faith has been an inspiration - demonstrated throughout her life in her words and actions.

"During this sad time for millions, we should never forget that at the centre of national and international mourning, there is a family grieving for their much-loved mother, grandmother and great grandmother."

I invite you to pray with us in memory and thanksgiving of The Queen's life and service.

May she rest in peace and rise in glory.

National Churches Trust

The National Churches Trust expresses its profound sadness at the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Luke March, Chairman of the National Churches Trust said: "Her Majesty dedicated her life to the people of her nation and Commonwealth and now we must dedicate our thoughts and prayers to honouring her life and work."

"As one of the first charities to be honoured with the Patronage of Queen Elizabeth, we have been very grateful to have had her support continuously throughout her reign."

"Churches are impressive, exciting, and surprising places that help to bring communities and our nation together."

"Always confident of her steadfast support, since 1953 we have been able to keep many thousands of them open, being used and in good repair; a remarkable and enduring legacy to her support."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth became our Royal Patron in 1953 when we were founded as the Historic Churches Preservation Trust Over the past 69 years we have helped keep over 12,000 churches open and being used by providing grants and loans in excess of £100 million.

Bishop Donal McKeown

I wish to express my sadness and extend my sympathy to all who mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Queen Elizabeth lived a life of dedicated public service - at no small personal cost to herself. During some very challenging times she retained a great sense of calm and dignity. Queen Elizabeth was a model of duty and commitment.

It was clear that Queen Elizabeth was a woman with a deep faith in Jesus Christ to whom we commend her.

May she rest in peace.

+Donal McKeown
Bishop of Derry

Lord Alton's tribute to Queen Elizabeth today in House of Lords

See: www.davidalton.net/2022/09/10/my-tribute-to-queen-elizabeth-ii/

Canadian Catholic Bishops Conference

Statement by Bishop Raymond Poisson, Bishop of St-Jérôme-Mont Laurier and President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) receives the news of the passing of Her Majesty, Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, with profound sadness. I join my brother Bishops and all of the Catholic faithful of this country in praying for the repose of her soul and in extending sincerest condolences to the members of the Royal Family.

Generations of Canadians have lived under Queen Elizabeth's long reign. She will be forever remembered for her remarkable service to the people of our country and the entire Commonwealth. We grieve her loss, with all her subjects, and recall in a special way the Church of England, of which she was Supreme Governor.

There is immense inspiration to be found in the life the Queen lived. From the onset of her reign, Queen Elizabeth II vowed to dedicate her life to the service of others. She fulfilled this promise without stint or reservation.

Born on 21 April 1926, Queen Elizabeth II entered this world amid one of the most turbulent periods in history. Having grown up amid the chaos and destruction of the Second World War, as Queen, she guided her subjects in its aftermath and beyond, providing stability and hope.

She visited Canada 22 times. On each occasion, Canadians found in her an example of service, patriotism, respect for humanity, and devotion to God. In 1971, when delivering a speech in Toronto, she remarked: "I want the Crown to be seen as a symbol of national sovereignty belonging to all. It is not only a link between Commonwealth nations, but between Canadian citizens of every national origin and ancestry." Queen Elizabeth resonated with Canadians from all walks of life.

On this day of great sadness, we do well to reflect on all that is to be learned from the life of Queen Elizabeth II and we pray: Grant her eternal rest, O Lord, and may everlasting light shine upon her.