St Mary's University College joins with the whole Catholic world, and in particular its schools, colleges and universities in praying that the Lord will grant Benedict eternal rest and welcome him into the eternal light and peace of God's Heavenly kingdom.
Archbishop Noel Treanor will celebrate Mass for the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in St Peter's Cathedral, Belfast on Wednesday 4th January at 7.30 p.m.
In a statement, the Archbishop said:
'His writings and interviews on the relationship between faith and reason in contemporary culture remain fundamental for the presentation of Christian faith as the Church seeks to provide reasons for the faith that is within us'.
The Principal of St Mary's, Professor Peter Finn KSG, highlighted the importance of the Pope's writings to the world of Catholic education and especially his encyclical letter 'Faith and Reason'.
Pope Benedict wrote:
'There can be no deep faith without a deep search for the truth. If faith is to be the light that guides us in the way of life, it must be based on truth and be in conformity with reason'.
The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Dr John Kirkpatrick was a recent visitor to St Mary's and he issued a statement on 31st December 2022.
'Many people across the island of Ireland today will be greatly saddened by the news of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict. In making contact with Archbishop Eamon I wanted to pass on my sympathy and express the condolences of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland as we acknowledge the grief felt by so many of our Roman Catholic neighbours at this particular time'.
Archbishop Eamon Martin said:
'Benedict would be remembered as an amazing, gifted teacher, an academic with great intellectual abilities but someone who didn’t reduce faith to any kind of academia'.
The Tánaiste and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Michéal Martin TD expressed his condolences saying:
'He will be remembered for his commitment to global peace including in Northern Ireland and particularly for those of the Catholic Faith as a respected theologian and scholar'.