Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte, a longtime Archbishop of Montreal who made his reputation as a defender of the poor, has died at age 78 after a long illness. The Archdiocese of Montreal confirmed Turcotte’s death in the palliative care unit at Marie-Clarac Hospital in the city, at 1:15 a.m. ET Wednesday (April 8).
From Rome, Pope Francis expressed his condolences in a statement, “As we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, I ask him to welcome into the light of eternal life this faithful priest who served the church with devotion.”
Born in Montreal in 1936, Turcotte was the second of seven children.
In an interview with the Canadian Press News agency the current archbishop of Montreal, Christian Lepine, described Cardinal Turcotte as a man who always respected the liberty of others while simultaneously holding on to his own beliefs.
He had two main issues he loved to engage in, said Lepine, discussion of Christ and a desire to help the poor. “He always had an interest in the poor, supporting the poor, supporting the organizations or institutions that organize themselves to help the poor.”
Turcotte was elevated as a cardinal in 1994 by Pope John Paul II, and his relationship with the Pope played an important role in his life and career: “John Paul II is a second father to me. I found some of my own father’s qualities in him.”
More information:
CBC News – Jean-Claude Turcotte, Montreal archbishop emeritus, dies – here
Globe and Mail/Canadian Press – Pope Francis honours Montreal Cardinal Turcotte – here
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