CATHOLICS from across Australia have expressed their sympathy and sadness over the death of apostolic nuncio Archbishop Ambrose De Paoli.
Archbishop De Paoli, who had been diagnosed with leukaemia in 2005, died at Mt Sinai Hospital, Miami Beach in the United States on October 10. He was 73.
He had returned to the United States and died peacefully after farewelling family and having received the last rites.
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president Archbishop Philip Wilson expressed great sadness at the death Archbishop De Paoli.
In a letter of condolence to the Vatican’s Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Archbishop Wilson said that all the bishops of Australia had come to appreciate the care and dedication with which the nuncio carried out his mission from the Holy See in Australia.
“During His Excellency’s relatively short time with us, we were touched by the humble and gracious way that he dealt with bishops, priests and all the people with whom he had contact,” Archbishop Wilson said.
Catholic Religious Australia (CRA) has also offered sympathy and prayers to the family, staff and friends of Archbishop de Paoli.
“Archbishop de Paoli had held his Australian diplomatic post for just over two years, but he had already made a point to attend three of the annual assemblies of the leaders of this country’s religious congregations,” CRA president Jesuit Father Mark Raper said.
