[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 5]
[House]
[Page 6735]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



             CARDINAL O'CONNOR: EARTH'S LOSS, HEAVEN'S GAIN

  (Mr. SMITH of New Jersey asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, Cardinal O'Connor of New York, 
a man after God's own heart and one of the greatest and most consistent 
moral and spiritual leaders of the 20th century, has passed away.
  Cardinal O'Connor loved unconditionally and gave generously, 
expecting nothing in return. He proclaimed and demonstrated by his 
words, works, and actions the indescribable blessings of the gospel.
  Cardinal O'Connor was a good and holy priest who radiated Christ and 
the healing power of God to believers and nonbelievers alike.
  Over the years, there were some who mocked and rejected Cardinal 
O'Connor's clear Christian teaching on the sanctity of all human life 
and the duty of all men and women of goodwill, especially politicians, 
to protect the vulnerable from the violence of abortion. Yet he always 
treated the opponents of his message with respect and dignity.
  Mr. Speaker, in the 25th chapter of Matthew's Gospel Jesus spoke of 
the last judgment and those, like Cardinal O'Connor, who would be 
blessed in eternity. Jesus said, `` `For I was hungry and you gave me 
food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you 
took me in; I was naked and you clothed me; I was in prison and you 
came to me.' And then the righteous will answer him, saying, `Lord, 
when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 
When did we see you a stranger and take you in, or naked and clothe 
you? Or when did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?' And 
the Lord will answer and say to them, `Assuredly, I say to you, 
inasmuch as you did it to the least of my brethren, you did it to Me.' 
''
  Mr. Speaker, Cardinal O'Connor devoted his life and inspired 
countless others to do the same to help the ``least,'' the 
disenfranchised, and the unwanted seeing Christ himself in the lives 
that nobody else cared about or wanted. Earth's loss of Cardinal 
O'Connor is heaven's gain.

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