Ecumenical bishops mourn passing of Pope Francis: ‘A shepherd of compassion, humility, unwavering faith’

The Ecumenical Bishops Forum expressed its deepest sympathies to the passing of Pope Francis whom they praised for his compassion, humility, and unwavering faith.

“As the world mourns the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, we join the global community in these moments of sorrow and in remembrance of the legacy of love and compassion that he has left behind,” the group said in a statement on Tuesday. “A shepherd of compassion, humility, and unwavering faith, Pope Francis spent his life at the service of others and to the message of love, mercy, and unity.”

The group consists of bishops from the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, United Methodist Church, Ang Iglesia Metodista sa Pilipinas, Episcopal Church in the Philippines, Iglesia Filipina Independiente, and Roman Catholic in the country.

The group also recognized the Pope for standing up for the vulnerable.

“He was a shepherd whose heart beat for the most vulnerable among us, a voice of compassion in a world increasingly divided, a servant who walked humbly with God,” the group said.

“In his true life, he lived out what mercy is by his own actions. His life and legacy touched people everywhere: His pursuit of peace, justice, and dignity for all people—no matter their race, creed or background—made the world a better place.”

Further, the group encouraged the public to follow the example of Pope Francis.

“His entire life has been devoted to service of the Lord and His Church. He has taught us to approach the principles of the Gospel with fairness, courage and real charity. We ask for the perpetual repose of his soul, and we surrender him with profound thanksgiving for his examples as a true Disciple of the Lord Jesus to the infinitely merciful love of our One and Triune God,” it said.

“We call on the people of the Philippines to internalize, live out, and embody the truly liberating aspects of the Pope’s life and teachings.”

Pope Francis died of a stroke and irreversible heart failure on Easter Monday, April 21. He was 88 years old. — BAP, GMA Integrated News