Upon having learned with sadness of the death of Cardinal Edward M. Egan, archbishop emeritus of New York, Pope Francis has offered heartfelt condolences to the faithful of the Archdiocese of New York and the late cardinal’s loved ones.
The cardinal died of cardiac arrest yesterday afternoon in New York at age 82.
In a telegram, the Holy Father said: «I join you in commending the late cardinal’s noble soul to God, the Father of mercies, with gratitude for his years of episcopal ministry among Christ’s flock in Bridgeport and New York, his distinguished service to the Apostolic See, and his expert contribution to the revision of the Church’s law in the years following the Second Vatican Council.»
Born April 2,1932, in Oak Park, Illinois, Edward Michael Egan later was consecrated a bishop in 1985, and appointed archbishop of New York in 2000 by Pope John Paul II.
Pope John Paul II chose Egan–who was a scholar of canon law and spoke several languages, including Latin, fluently–to help with reviewing a revised canon law code for the Church.
Egan was Archbishop of New York during the September 11, 2001, terror attacks and presided over many victims’ funerals. That same year, Egan was elevated to the College of Cardinals.
The cardinal went on to participate in the 2005 and 2013 conclaves that elected Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis. He also welcomed Pope Benedict to New York when he visited in 2008. At the age of 77, Cardinal Egan retired as archbishop in 2009.
His successor, current archbishop of New York, Cardinal Timothy Dolan issued a statement upon hearing of Cardinal Egan’s death. In the statement, he thanked God for a peaceful passing, «with the prayers and sacraments of his loyal priest secretary, Father Douglas Crawford, in his residence at the Chapel of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary,» and offers his condolences.
Funeral arrangements are still being decided. Cardinal Dolan said he would update the faithful once decisions are made.
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On the NET:
Cardinal Dolan’s statement: http://cardinaldolan.org/index.php/cardinal-dolans-statement-on-the-passing-of-cardinal-egan-archbishop-emeritus/
