The President of the Republic addressed a message of condolences to the Family of the Patriarch Cardinal-Emeritus of Lisbon, D. José da Cruz Policarpo.

Following is the text of the message of condolences from President Cavaco Silva:

“Portugal was suddenly distressed by the news of the passing away of the Patriarch Cardinal-Emeritus of Lisbon, D. José da Cruz Policarpo.

All the Portuguese, believers or not, regret the loss of an unique individuality, who due to the quiet discernment and brilliance of his mind was, throughout decades, one of the most important ethical and spiritual references in our society.

He dedicated his life to the cause of the Church, and was one of the persons mainly responsible for the setting up, in our Country, of the ecclesiastical renewal initiated by the Vatican II Ecumenical Council. Endowed with a deep humanistic culture, author of a vast number of works, he had a determining role in the assertion and consolidation of the Portuguese Catholic University, where he was a lecturer, and later, the Chancellor.

He was guided in his public life by the ideals of tolerance, authenticity and fidelity to the values in which he believed, assuming the provision of service to others, especially to the needier, with exemplary generosity and admirable unselfishness.

To the bereaved Family and to all of the Portuguese Catholic Church, I address my heartfelt condolences.

Aníbal Cavaco Silva”