Cardinal LaCroix remembers Cardinal Turcotte

(Vatican Radio) The Archbishop-emeritus of Montreal, Canada, Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte, died on Wednesday at the age of 78, after a lengthy illness. The Primate of Canada, Cardinal Gerald Lacroix of Quebec, spoke to Vatican Radio about the life and legacy of Cardinal Turcotte. "Very easy to talk to, very accessible: he was a man filled with joy," said Cardinal Lacroix of the late Cardinal Turcotte. "That was his motto as a bishop: 'Serve the LORD with Joy!' - and that, he did very well."

Click below to hear Cardinal Lacroix's reflection on the life and legacy of Cardinal Turcotte

Cardinal Lacroix's remembrance of Cardinal Turcotte followed a telegram of condolence sent by Pope Francis to Cardinal Turcotte’s successor, Archbishop Christian Lepine, in which the Holy Father remembers the late Cardinal as, “[A] zealous pastor,” who, “served the Church with dedication,” and was, “attentive to the challenges of the contemporary Church.”

The telegram recalls Cardinal Turcotte’s years of service, which included an active role in the 1994 Synod of Bishops on consecrated life, and the special 1997 Synod of the Americas, as well as a turn as the President of the Canadian Catholic Bishops’ Conference.

“As we celebrate the resurrection of Christ,” writes Pope Francis in the telegram, “I ask Him to welcome into the light of eternal life this faithful priest who served the church with devotion.”