Hawkins Nanton, Staff ReporterJAMAICAN ROMAN Catho-lics are saddened by the
deteriorating condition of Pope John Paul II and are in a sombre mood, said Archbishop Lawrence Burke.
Commenting on the health of the Pope, Archbishop Burke said the Catholic Churches here were joining the rest of the world body in praying for the smooth passage of the Pope to the afterlife.
"He was a man closely united to God in prayer. We are sure he will meet the Lord," the archbishop stated.
"If but when he dies we will be having a mass to celebrate his life," the archbishop added.
Monsignor Richard Albert said the Pope's health was in a grave situation.
"The Most Holy Father's condition has worsened and his breathing is very bad," the Monsignor stated. "The challenge is to pray and hope he makes his journey back to the Lord safely."
A GREAT PASTOR
Monsignor Albert, Vicar of St. Catherine, described the Pope as a great pastor to the church, a defender of the poor, and a real advocate of freedom.
"We're probably watching the slow death of the most influential man of the century," said Monsig-nor Albert.
The monsignor said His Grace Archbishop Lawrence Burke have put the church on a prayer alert.
Five weeks ago the Pope had a tracheotomy but struggled to recover. The news of the his worsening condition came two days after the Vatican revealed that he had a feeding tube inserted through his nose to provide more nutrition.
The 84-year-old pontiff suffers from a number of chronic illnesses, including crippling hip and knee ailments and Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurological disorder that can make breathing and swallowing difficult.
