VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis offered his condolences for the death of the Most Reverend John M. Dougherty, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Scranton, who died on April 16 at the age of 89.
The Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera received a letter from Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Christophe Pierre in which Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin expressed the condolences of Pope Francis at the death of Bishop Dougherty. Bishop Bambera shared the text of the letter during his homily at Bishop Dougherty’s Mass of Christian Burial.
The letter read as follows:
“His Holiness Pope Francis was saddened to learn of the death of Bishop John Martin Dougherty, and he sends heartfelt condolences to you, to the late Bishop’s family, and to the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the Diocese of Scranton. Recalling Bishop Dougherty’s years of priestly and episcopal ministry, marked by his example of simplicity of life and tireless dedication to the pastoral care of the sick and dying, His Holiness joins those gathered for the Mass of Christian Burial in commending his soul to the compassionate love of our Heavenly Father and cordially imparts his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of peace and consolation in the Lord.”
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State