Dear Editor: took me by surprise, how deep an effect the events of the last forty days in the Vatican have had on me, thousands of miles away. As I am a Roman Catholic and a priest I know myself to be linked to the life of the universal or worldwide Church.

Because of the technology of the age, unprecedented and extensive media coverage allowed tens of millions of people globally, to witness the rich liturgical patrimony of the Latin rite Church , in the crucial period of Sede Vacante. Still I was unprepared.

Television screens also showed the humanity of cardinals as well as those faces of the ordinary persons, in St Peter's Square, where that inevitable encounter with dying and death confronted everyone. Woven in with the rich red and purple of windswept vestments, and alongside the sea of humanity in the square, were faces, which represented the diverse races of the human family.

Also seen were the emotion, grief, and the burden of responsibility. Just below the surface of formal composure, the camera showed the eyes of the cardinals that reflected the tears of millions who converged on Rome. Cardinal Ratzinger in sonorous Latin intoned the greeting, and his voice broke.

After the nine days of Masses, finally the day of the funeral Mass had come. Yes the pope was dead; and we all attended his funeral.

But not only did we Catholics or even we Christians, or other religions, who attest to the reality of God, see and feel the impact of the images. Everyone and anyone, who somehow experienced a connection with Pope John Paul, held hands at that time.

John Paul was seen as a real person and a true priest who looked at the human condition with compassion and by the outreach of his extraordinary and long pontificate, was able to communicate his personal faith, and expressed in his presence someone who lived in communion with God's merciful love. Truly he was a pope of the Eucharist.

Following the election of Pope Benedict XVI on the second day of the biggest conclave ever, some of the weight of what the papacy entails occurred to me. Whatever Joseph Ratzinger's personal sense of loss of his friend of 40 years might be, Benedict XVI now had the mandate of the Good Shepherd placed on is shoulders literally with the pallium - " Feed my lambs, look after my sheep."

However inaccurate, unkind or unfair have been the press profile of the cardinal, the Pope at the Mass of his inauguration, gave witness to his grasp of what confronts and challenges the Church. He also clearly indicated his commitment and ability to steer the Church in these difficult and turbulent times.

That, at the end of his first public Mass in St Peter's Square, the Pope choose to stand in an open vehicle while being driven the circumference of the piazza, is eloquent and moving testimony of his vulnerability, his ongoing outreach to all, and a willingness to open dialogue; and as he expressed it himself, his entrusting himself to our prayers. God bless the Pope. Long live the Pope!

Msgr Kenneth Spence

DEAR EDITOR: We would like to respond to a letter that appeared in your newspaper a couple of weeks ago. It was written by Gloria Pereira and in it she expressed concern that our television programming at Trinity Communications Network could not be enjoyed by the Deaf community due to a lack of "closed-caption" technology.

This is a situation of which we are well aware. It deeply concerns us that we are unable, at present, to introduce this option. From the technical side it is an extremely complex system to set up and of course very costly.

However, we are happy to say that arrangements have been made, initially, for someone to interpret our Sunday Mass with sign language for the hearing impaired. This is broadcast "live" at 8:00 a.m.

We hope that in the future we will be able to find ways to provide this service for our other shows and we thank you for your interest.

Trinity Communications Network

DEAR EDITOR: Every time I think about the late Pope John Paul II, the words "Be Not Afraid" echo in my heart. I have tried to sum up his reign as Pope, and again, these words come to mind.

He lived these words. I can still hear his slow drawl, with heavy Polish accent, saying them to us. When as a new pope he used them, looking tall, strong and confident, I thought they were just a slogan.

Then he began to age, and his travels must have become tiring, but he continued. There is a picture of him, leaning heavily on his staff crowned by a crucifix. He is an old man, and obviously tired. Yet he continued. I began to have a glimmer of understanding of the words. "Be Not Afraid".

He became very old. He was criticised for some of his pronouncements. People begin to suggest, some stridently, that he should retire. He gently replies that he does not run the Church with his feet, but with his heart and his head. They do not make him afraid.

He became seriously ill. After two stays at hospital, he realises that the end is near. He is not afraid.

The crowds gather in Vatican Square , and he can see them from his bed. He sends a message. "Do not weep for me, I am happy!" He truly is not afraid. His last words is "Amen" He has finished his life, which was a prayer. In death, he looks peaceful, with something close to a smile on his face.

He taught us, by his life and by his death, how to "Be Not Afraid".

T Noel, Siparia