| APOSTOLIC NUNCIATURE
AUSTRALIA |
PO Box 3833
Manuka ACT 2603 |
| No 1208/07 |
4 April 2007 |
His Grace
The Most Reverend Denis J Hart
Archbishop of Melbourne
228 Victoria Pde
East Melbourne VIC 3002
Your Grace
Archbishop Leonaro Sendri, the Substitute Secretariat of State
of the Holy See, has asked me to convey to you the following messages
- from the Holy Father and from the Cardinal Secretary of State:
"Dr Evelyn Billings
Having learned with sorrow of the death of your husband I offer
my heartfelt condolences to you and your family and to all who
mourn his passing. I recall with a sense of deep appreciation
the creative witness borne by Dr Billings to the relationship
between faith and scientific knowledge, and his outstanding
contribution to family life by helping countless couples throughout
the world live fully their vocation as faithful spouses and
parents. I join with you in praying that, through the intercession
of Mary, Mother of the Church, God our merciful Father will
grant him the reward of his labours and welcome his noble soul
into the joy and peace of heaven. To all assembled for the solemn
Mass of Christian burial I cordially impart my Apostolic blessing
as a pledge of consolation and strength in the risen Lord.
Benedictus PP. XVI
Please accept my own message of deep sympathy at the loss of
Dr John Billings. With gratitude for his resolute commitment to
the Gospel of Life I assure you of my prayers for his eternal
rest and for the spiritual comfort of his wife and family.
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone
Secretary of State"
The Apostolic Nunciature shares the same sentiments of the above
messages and thanking you for the kind attention in transmitting
the same, I remain
Devotedly yours in Our Lord,
Ambrose De Paolini
Apostolic Nuncio |
