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Cardinal Meisner’s Last Testament: ‘Remain always with the Pope and you will never lose Christ.’

Cardinal Joachim Meisner

THOMAS LOHNES / DDP / AFP

Deacon Greg Kandra - published on 07/07/17

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None other than Father Z has this translation of a video, which evidently contains part of the Last Will and Testament of the cardinal who died this week. The will was drafted in 2011.

The words are beautiful, powerful and timely:

Christ gave the Petrine office to the Church in order to give an orientation and support to the many people in the different times. That is my last request to you all for your salvation. Stay with our Holy Father. He is the Peter of today. Follow his guidance. Listen to his word. Peter wants nothing for himself, but everything for the Lord and for his brothers and sisters. You all know the course of my life followed three societal systems – the 12 years of Hitler, 24 year reign of communism and now over 20 years of democratic freedom. In all three epochs, the service of the pope has given me orientation, encouragement and assistance. Remain always with the Pope and you will never lose Christ. I do not desire the grace which the Apostle John received, nor the forgiveness with which you pardoned Peter. I only desire the words which you said to the robber on the Cross: “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” Cologne, 25 March 2011 Joachim Cardinal Meisner, Archbishop of Cologne

As a couple of commenters have put it: wow.

Read the whole thing. 

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