It is with great sadness that we learnt of the death on Friday, 1st September of His Eminence Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor at the age of 85. He was the Tenth Archbishop of Westminster from 2000 to 2009 and was created a Cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2001. His titular church in Rome was the Gothic church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, in the historical city centre and he always saw a link between that church and our neo-Gothic chapel by Pugin at St Edmund’s. Before being translated to Westminster he was Rector of the Venerable English College in Rome and Bishop of Arundel and Brighton.
Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor had a great love of life which he saw as a gift from God and used that gift as a vehicle for giving glory to God and for doing good for others. He loved the company of his fellow men and women and had an infectious laugh which always put people at their ease. Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor, the 24th President of St Edmund’s College (2000-09) had a great love for St Edmund’s College, and an understanding of our particular history and always took an keen interest in our activities and progress. He will be greatly missed by many and the College extends sympathy and the assurance of prayers to his family and friends. As a College we thank God for his life and ministry and we will pray for the repose of his soul and invite all members of the Edmundian family to do the same.
Rest eternal grant unto him, O Lord and let light perpetual shine upon him.
May he rest in peace.
Amen.