Here is the letter to Pope Benedict XVI sent yesterday by the Council of European Episcopal Conferences (CCEE) regarding the Holy Father’s resignation.
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To His Holiness
Pope Benedict XVI
Vatican City
Most Holy Father,
Having heard this morning the news of your decision to renounce the role of Supreme
Pontiff, we wish to express, on behalf of the Council of European Episcopal Conferences
(CCEE), our heartfelt thanks to Your Holiness for the faithful and courageous service with
which you have led the Church in recent years. We give thanks to the Lord for your rich
Magisterium, for your messages, the care with which you have always accompanied the
European bishops, and your personal witness of faith and trust in the Lord, in which you
have expressed such great love for the whole of the Church.
At this moment we wish to assure Your Holiness of our spiritual closeness, and assure you
that we continue to serve the Church with the same enthusiasm and faith which you have
shown and taught.
With our prayers we accompany you at this time of great challenges and change, imploring
the divine help of the Holy Spirit for yourself and the Catholic Church.
Péter Cardinal Erdő
Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest
CCEE President
Angelo Cardinal Bagnasco
Archbishop of Genoa
CCEE Vice-President
Msgr. Józef Michalik
Archbishop of Przemyśl
CCEE Vice-President