During the Mass on Easter Monday, churches in Brabant stopped at the death of Pope Franciscus. This is also the case in the Basilica in Oudenbosch. The church is a copy of Saint Peter’s in Rome and has a special connection with the Vatican. In the Oudenbossche Kerk, the loss will be responded to on Monday. “I’m going to miss his ideas,” says pastor Maickel Prasing after the celebration.
A large photo of the pope with three bright red roses around the altar in the church. Prasing lights a large candle for the deceased pope. The unexpected death affects both the pastor and the parishioners. “I was shocked,” says Maickel Prasing. “I did the Mass in Oud-Gastel this morning. I didn’t know it yet. On the way to the Basilica I heard it on the radio that he died quite unexpectedly.”
Oudenbosch is also called Klein Rome. The church that stands there is a copy of the basilica in Vatican City. “There has always been a band with all the popes. But with this pope that band was very special,” says the pastor.
“He was a good pope.”
The churchgoers in the basilica respond to the news left. “I watched the TV yesterday and I thought: it won’t have long,” says a parishian. But for most believers, the news comes as a negative surprise on Easter Monday. “It was a shock. I am very happy that he still spoke the blessing on Easter Monday. He had a lot of empathy for fellow human beings. That is how he came across to me. Also for people who were in need,” says a visitor. “It is very annoying for the church community.”
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Another man responds: “He was over. It was done with him. That was clearly visible yesterday. My wife said,” I hope he heals soon. ” But then I said: I didn’t expect it to be so quickly.
“He has the church a new one
Another churchgoer agrees with him: “It is a terribly difficult office with all the rules that you have to stick to. But he did very well. His words were a stimulation for me to stay busy with the church and faith.”
Pastor Prasing only has praising words for Pope Francis. “He has the church a new one schwung datum. A pastoral pope. The two previous popes flew everything from the teachings of the church. Francis did not do that. He looked at it from the people themselves. Also from people who do not fully live in accordance with the doctrine of the church. He had a warm heart for that and he also wanted to involve it in the church. “
“I even dare to say that the church was slowly sliding towards the abyss.”
Three times the head of the basilica in Oudenbosch was able to shake the pope’s hand. “That is the advantage if you are the pastor of the Basilica in Oudenbosch,” he says proudly. He has beautiful memories of him, such as the moment that Francis was just paus. “I had planned a trip to Rome with my good friend and colleague Paul Verbeek. Then the previous Pope was still there. But suddenly a new one came.”
“We were able to arrange it at the time that we could meet Francis fairly quickly on Sint Pietersplein. I shaken his hand and give him a book about the basilica and a statue of Sint Francis here from the church. Then he said”Que Bella ‘how beautiful. That is the most beautiful impression I have from him. “
Prasing will miss him and his ideas. “I even dare to say that the church was slowly sliding towards the abyss. He has pulled the church away again. Whether we will continue in the right direction, the future will teach us. We live in the year of hope. We have to see which pope they will choose later.”
