By Ivy Chai
KUCHING — Archbishop Simon Poh, in a tribute to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, recalls fondly, his brief encounters with the Pope at the two World Youth Days held in Cologne in 2005, and in Sydney in 2008.
“My first encounter in person with Pope Benedict XVI was during the World Youth Day in Cologne in 2005. Before the Concluding Mass, we spent the vigil in the open Marienfeld where the Mass was to be celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI the following day. This was his first World Youth Day after succeeding Pope John Paul II. It was an amazing experience for me to see how the Lord continued to use Pope Benedict XVI who was 78 years old at that time, to reach out to the youth.
At the following World Youth Day in Sydney in 2008, I accompanied around 50 young people to celebrate with Pope Benedict XVI. Again, it was amazing that Pope Benedict spoke to our hearts. For me, I came to see another dimension of Pope Benedict XVI, who was no more that strict Cardinal Ratzinger, but who then as a Pope, in the footsteps of Pope John Paul II, continued to connect and inspire the young people.
The Catholic Church in Kuching expresses our gratitude for the gift of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI to the Church and especially his silent presence and prayer for the Catholic Church, when in retirement in the Vatican. Requiescet in pace (May he rest in peace).”
Memorial Table
To honour and pay homage to the late Pope Benedict, the Archdiocese of Kuching has set up a simple Memorial Table with a Book of Condolence at the Holy Family Chapel at the Archbishop’s Office at ACCPC, for the Catholic faithful to pay their respects and to pray for the soul of the Pope.
The Chapel remains open on 3-5 January from 8.00am-9.00pm (3-4 Jan) and 8.00am-5.00pm (5 Jan). The Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 5.30pm at St Joseph’s Cathedral, presided over by Archbishop Simon Poh.
The Archdiocese invites the Catholic Community to come to pray in solidarity for the Pope, as the funeral Mass will take place in St Peter’s Square in Rome on Thursday, 5 January 2023.
