Queen Elizabeth II, the head of the Church of England and the longest-reigning monarch in British history, died away on Thursday at the age of 96.
Catholic leaders from all over the globe expressed their sorrow over her passing. While remembering the late queen’s Christian example, they requested prayers.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the archbishop of Westminster and head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, issued a statement saying, “At this time, we pray for the rest of Her Majesty’s soul.” We can say this with certainty since she lived her life and carried out her activities as a Christian every day.
Nichols continued by quoting her 2000 Christmas address.
He reported her as adding, “Our values are of vital significance to many of us.” “For me, a framework for how I strive to live my life is provided by both the teachings of Christ and my own personal responsibility before God.
Like so many of you, I have found immense solace in Christ’s teachings and example through trying times.
Nichols praised the queen’s religion and conveyed his thanks and respect for her service.
“She continuously personified wisdom, stability, and service, often in the face of great difficulties,” he added. “This is a brilliant legacy and tribute to her faith.”
For the queen and her son, King Charles III, he requested prayers.
Bishop Patrick McKinney of Nottingham likewise praised the queen’s devotion to God.
In addition, he stated in a statement, “We want to pay our respects to the Queen as a lady of religion, as a Christian, whose faith always inspired and impacted the way she lived.”
We hope that Christ Jesus, whom she devotedly served throughout the whole of her life, may now greet her in His Kingdom with the words, “Well done good and loyal servant.”
The bishops in Scotland, where the queen died away, made the commitment to “remember her in our prayers and pray for all those who grieve her death,” according to Bishop Hugh Gilbert, the conference’s president.
A source of stability and continuity at a period of immense change, he added, “her desire to stay active until the end of her long life has been a model of Christian leadership, which reflected her remarkable stoicism and devotion to duty.”
The next king and the royal family will be prayed for, he said, adding emphasis to this.
Pope Francis, one of the five popes the queen saw throughout her lifetime, honoured her faith in a telegram. Pope Francis is the leader of the Catholic Church.
In addition to praying for the late Queen’s eternal rest, he said, “I willingly join all who mourn her loss in paying tribute to her life of unceasing service to the good of the Nation and the Commonwealth, her example of devotion to duty, her steadfast witness of faith in Jesus Christ, and her firm hope in his promises.”
Other bishops and religious authorities from all across the globe were remembering the queen and requesting prayers all day long.
“May she rest in peace,” tweeted Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone of San Francisco in the United States.
“May she now enjoy the everlasting peace she fully deserves for her life of immaculate service,” said Bishop Denis Nulty of Kildare and Leighlin in Ireland.