Catholic bishops in the Commonwealth have joined the many global leaders sending their condolences on the death of the Queen.
The Canadian bishops’ conference expressed its “profound sadness” and joined “all of the Catholic faithful of this country in praying for the repose of her soul”.
The conference’s president, the Bishop of Saint-Jérôme-Mont Laurier, Raymond Poisson, recalled the many generations who had drawn inspiration from the Queen during her reign.
“She will be forever remembered for her remarkable service to the people of our country and the entire Commonwealth,” he said. “We grieve her loss, with all her subjects, and recall in a special way the Church of England, of which she was Supreme Governor.”
She provided, he said, “an example of service, patriotism, respect for humanity, and devotion to God”.
He recalled her remarks in a 1971 speech in Toronto, where she said that the Crown “is not only a link between Commonwealth nations, but between Canadian citizens of every national origin and ancestry”.
Bishop Poisson continued: “Queen Elizabeth resonated with Canadians from all walks of life.”
A statement from the Australian bishops’ conference said that the Queen’s death “after a long reign marked by extraordinary constancy, fidelity, courage and service, will bring great sadness to many Australians”.
The Archbishop of Perth, Timothy Costelloe, president of the conference, promised the bishops’ prayers for the repose of her soul.
“Queen Elizabeth was never reticent about acknowledging her Christian faith,” he said. “Her annual Christmas message invariably focused on Jesus Christ as a model of humble and generous service. It was a model she strived to emulate throughout her long life. May she rest in peace.”
The Catholic bishops of New Zealand issued a tribute to the late Queen, which began in Maori:
“Kua riro te kotuku rerengatahi ki te po. E te Kuini o Ingarangi, te upoko o te Hahi Mihingare, pononga a te Atua, haere, e hoki ki to tatou Ariki.”
They translated this as: “The white heron takes flight into the night. Queen Elizabeth, head of the Anglican Church, servant of God, farewell, return to the Lord.”
The bishops praised her “grace, warmth and commitment,” and noted her presence throughout New Zealand’s reconciliation with Maori society and culture during the twentieth century.
“She has been a constant in our country’s remarkable progress,” they said. “Hers has been an Elizabethan Age the like of which we may never see again.”
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