May 5, 2025
Paschaltide
Jubilee Year
Sede Vacante

Dear Sister Monica, Michael, and all the Walsh Family; my brother bishops, priests, deacons, seminarians; religious women and men; God’s faithful people:

With much sadness here in Rome, I heard the somber news of the passing of our trusted, beloved brother, Bishop Gerald Walsh.

When I visited him by phone Saturday, he was upbeat, happy, confident, eager to move on as he reported improvement in his health. But sure, he was ever like that, hopeful and “raring to go.”

To all of you, who knew him and cherished him even longer than I have these past sixteen-and-a-half years, I offer sympathy, as I unite with you in prayers for the Lord’s mercy, for a warm embrace in the Father’s house, and in gratitude for his sterling years of apostolic service as a priest, pastor, director in Catholic Charities, rector, and auxiliary bishop.

I loved him and will miss him. As I write from this city called “eternal,” I am consoled by trust that he, by God’s mercy, will now reside in the real one. 

I miss all of you as well, and am homesick. The white smoke cannot appear soon enough!

Faithfully in Christ,