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THE MOST REVEREND MARKUS BERNT EIDSVIG, BISHOP OF OSLO
THE HOLY FATHER WAS SADDENED TO LEARN OF THE DEATH OF THE MOST REVEREND JOHN WILLEM GRAN AND HE HAS ASKED ME TO CONVEY TO YOU HIS SINCERE CONDOLENCES WHICH HE ALSO EXTENDS TO EMERITUS BISHOP GERHARD SCHWENZER AND TO THE CLERGY, RELIGIOUS AND LAY FAITHFUL OF THE DIOCESE OF OSLO. GIVING THANKS TO ALMIGHTY GOD FOR BISHOP GRAN'S LONG YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE CHURCH, HIS HOLINESS OFFERS FERVENT PRAYERS FOR HIS ETERNAL REPOSE. UPON ALL PRESENT FOR THE RITES OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL AND UPON ALL WHO MOURN THE LATE BISHOP'S PASSING, THE HOLY FATHER INVOKES ABUNDANT GRACES OF HOPE AND CONSOLATION IN THE RISEN CHRIST, AND CORDIALLY IMPARTS HIS APOSTOLIC BLESSING.
CARDINAL TARCISIO BERTONE
SECRETARY OF STATE
KI - Katolsk Informasjonstjeneste (Oslo) (3. april 2008)