TWO PAST-PRESIDENTS DIED RECENTLY…
Dear Members of the CMA of the USA and of the whole FIAMC, I heard with great sadness that our common friend, Dr. Gino Papola, returned to our Father’s home, in the eve of Christmas, 2011, when we celebrate the mistery of God who takes human flesh to make us similar to Him. I met Gino for the first time in Rome, in the year 1981, during the preparation of the the XV World Congress of FIAMC, that would have been celebrated in 1982. Gino was at that time the President of the International Federation of Catholic Medical Associations. The Congress remained as a remarkable one, because Pope John Paul II visited the participants in the Congress Hall and later on, following their request, he issued the Apostolic Letter “Salvifici Doloris” on the theological value of suffering, and erected the new vatican dicaster of Health Pastoral Care.
Despite the age difference, with Gino it was easy to establish an immediate relationship. To me he recalled that kind of italian immigrants who landed in the States bringing with them only their strong faith, their hard working, their honesty and their determination to offer better opportunities to their children. My grand father, moved to Philadelphia in 1912, when he was 15. Gino moved to Philadelphia from Aquila when he was a kid. With hard study he succeeded to honor his country of origin and his country of adoption. He had four children and, after the death of their mother, he found in Mary a wonderful person who accepted to be for them a second mother. In the following years, we met several times in Rome and I had the pleasure to invite him for dinner at my home. I still remember some of the jokes that he was always ready to tell and that where important part of his sympathy, as it was his ability to switch easily from a very intellectual English to the dialect of the Abruzzi, the Italian region in which is Aquila. Years later (I think it was in 2001) I had the privilege to be with my wife for dinner at his doughter’s house. It was a wonderful evening with a wonderful family. We met again in Rome and I had the possibility to introduce his son Mark to Pope Benedict XVI, in a difficult moment of his life. During the 8 years of my precidency of FIAMC he always supported my efforts to increase the social presence of the Catholic Doctors and to strenghten their fidelity to the Teachings of the Church.
Gino passed away a few weeks after his beloved Mary. He will remain as an example of committment to the most genuine values of the medical profession and of disinterested service to the Church. His children and grand-children can be proud of him. For FIAMC he has been a great President, for me a faithful friend. I pray the Lord to give him the reward promitted to the just.
Requiescat in pace!
Gian Luigi Gigli
Past-President of FIAMC
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Le Dr Paddy Linehan est décédé le 29 décembre 2011 à Londres, à l’âge de 87 ans, après de sérieux soucis de santé depuis plus d’un an. Il naquit en avril 1924, exerça comme médecin généraliste dans le centre de Londres, et devint président de la Guilde des Médecins Catholiques anglais, qu’il représenta à la FEAMC. En 1978 à Bombay, il fut élu trésorier de la FIAMC, puis en 1982 à Rome secrétaire Général, enfin en 1986 à Buenos-Aires président. En 1990 à Bonn, il fut réélu président. C’est lui qui créa le bureau permanent de la FIAMC à Rome, Palazzo San Calisto). C’est aussi lui qui créa la revue “Decisions”, dont le numéro 1 parut en juin 1988 (“Journal is a major step forward”), et qui fut financée jusqu’en 1999 par Mr Murdoch. C’est également lui qui recruta Mme Isabelle Biondi, qui, initialement secrétaire, devint rapidement directeur exécutif de la FIAMC. Il collabora étroitement avec Walter Osswald qui fut secrétaire général pendant toute sa période de présidence, avant d’être son successeur. Devenu “past-president” il garda son intérêt pour la FIAMC, et on le revit souvent aux réunions du Comité Exécutif de la FIAMC, pour la dernière fois fin novembre 2010 à Rome.
Il était Chevalier de l’Ordre de St-Grégoire, et Chevalier du St-Sépulcre.
C’était un ancien joueur de rugby, dont il avait le calibre, et il gardait de l’intérêt pour ce sport. Ce fut aussi un grand voyageur, et il fit plusieurs fois le tour du monde. C’est enfin lui qui me recruta comme trésorier de la FIAMC en 1994 à Porto. Il me manifesta une constante amitié depuis. Qu’il repose en paix.
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Dr Paddy Linehan died in London on December 29, 2011, at the age of 87 years, after serious health problems for over a year. He was born in April 1924, practiced as a GP in central London, and became president of the English Guild of Catholic Doctors, he represented in FEAMC. In 1978 in Bombay, he was elected treasurer of FIAMC, and in 1982 in Rome Secretary General, then in 1986 in Buenos-Aires president. In 1990 in Bonn, he was reelected as president. He created the permanent office of FIAMC in Rome (Palazzo San Calisto), and the magazine “Decisions”, the first issue of which was published in June 1988 (“Journal is a major step forward”). It was funded until 1999 by Mr. Murdoch. It was also he who recruited Mrs. Isabelle Biondi, who was initially secretary, and became quickly executive director of FIAMC. He worked closely for 8 years with Walter Osswald, who was general secretary throughout his period of presidency, before he became his successor. Become “past-president” he kept his interest in FIAMC, and was often seen at the FIAMC Executive Committee meetings, where he came for the last time in November 2010 in Rome.
He was Knight of St. Gregory, and Knight of the Holy Sepulchre.
He had been a rugby player, and had kept an interest in this sport. He was also a great traveler, and had been several times around the world. Finally, it was he who recruited me as treasurer of the FIAMC in 1994 in Porto. He showed a constant friendship since. May he rest in peace.
Dr. François Blin
Dr. Paddy Linehan (left), Dr. J.Ma. Simón, Dr. Kevin Murrell and Dr. François Blin
My dear friends
I have learned with great sadness of the death of our
friend and colleague Dr. Gino Papola (USA), Past-President of the FIAMC
1974-1982.
Then i vould like to send you ed to his family my personal
condolences and also by the entire Association of Catholic Doctors of
Italy (AMCI)
Best regards
Franco Balzaretti
Secretary General of AMCI
President Papola was an example for all of us! He will surely help the Federation from the Home of The Father.
Siento mucho tan sensible pérdida. Mis más sinceras condolencias a sus familiares y amigos. Siempre estará en nuestra memoria.
Lamento mucho la muerte del Dr. Gino Papola, hombre sencillo, afectuoso y diligente al servicio del Señor. Sin duda nos cuidará desde el Cielo pues pasó por el mundo haciendo el bien.
Dr. Francisco Díaz
In peace!
¡Un fraternal abrazo a todos los suyos!
Saludos desde España.
RIP, dear Friend.
Do not worry, Gino, He, Jesus, will always be with you and your people.
I never met him but I´ve been told he was a great president of the F.I.A.M.C.
It is with great sadness that I must announce the death of one of our beloved
members, Dr. Gino Papola on Christmas Eve. Gino was preceded in death by his wife Mary just a few weeks ago. The viewing for Gino Papola will be Friday 30 from 9:30 to 11:15, and the Mass at 11:30 at St. John Neumann Church, Bryn Mawr. Details will be published in the newspaper on Wednesday.
Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and may perpetual light shine upon him and may he rest in peace.
Chris O’Hara
Philadelphia Guild President
On behalf fo MaterCare International please convey to the Papola family and the
Philadelphia Guild our deepest sympathy and prayerful condolences of the passing of a distinguished and loyal Catholic doctor. Dr Papola will be remembered at mass this morning.
Thanks
Rob Walley
Dear members of the FIAMC-EXCO
I send You the obituary of Dr. Gino Papola (USA), Past-President of the FIAMC
1974-1982.
Dear Members,
The directors of FAMCLAM extend deep sympathy at the passing of Dr Gino Papola andwe offer our prayers for him.
Sincerely,
Maria Inez Linhares de Carvalho
President FAMCLAM
Lo sentimos mucho. R.I.P.
Dear Jose Maria Simon;
So sorry t hear of Paddy Linehan’s I will remember him and pray for him specially-a loyal Catholic doc which is the best. I will await further details’
RIP
rRob
Dear Francois,
Thank you for kindness in sending the message and photo of Paddy Linehan.
He will be in my prayers and thoughts and I will be with you in spirit for
his funeral.
Kindest regards,
Michael.
I will try to write a small hommage to a very important man
in the history of FIAMC. I depart the day after tomorrow to Mexico and hope
to be back by Jan, 24. .Kind regards,Walter
Dear Friends,
it was a blow to hear from you that Paddy had died, I had just written a
card telling him that I was happy, after many tries to contact him by
phone and letter, to know that he was recovering, in Hospital, from a surgical
intervention. Paddy has been a very dear friend, an admirable example of a
good doctor, a steadfast Catholic and a devoted servant to the cause of
FIAMC. We shared the same enthusiasm, we worked together during many
years,
I miss him enormously, but I know that he now enjoys the prize of his
deeds.I will be unable to attend his funeral, because I will be in South
America on the 19.th, but I certainly will have his memory in my thoughts
and prayers.Some days ago, it was Gino Papola who left us; now Paddy, a man who shared with Gino the same devotion and also a lot of humour.May both enjoy the splendour of the heavenly light and intercede for us and all otherCatholic doctors!
Yours,as ever,
Walter Osswald
Dear Friends,
Enclosed are the message I just received from Ian Jessiman, the last message I had received from Paddy. and his last photo at a FIAMC meeting (20th November 2010). I will try to be present at his funerals.
Yours sincerely
Francois Blin
President of FEAMC
May he rest in peace and help the F.I.A.M.C. from a better position!
During the 8 years of his precidency of FIAMC he always supported my efforts to increase the social presence of the Catholic Doctors and to strenghten their fidelity to the Teachings of the Church Gino passed away a few weeks after his beloved Mary. He will remain as an example of committment to the most genuine values of the medical profession and of disinterested service to the Church. For FIAMC he has been a great President, faithful friend.
I pray the Lord to give him the reward promitted to the just..Requiescat in pace! AMRC ROMANIA pgbudau@yahoo,com Deva.Romnia
I am informed that Paddy Linehan died last week and the funeral is to be on 19th.
Please pass this news on to his many friends throughout Europe and the World (FEAMC, FIAMC).
Ian
Dear Friends, It is not easy to summarize all the messages we have received, by e-mail or other media, about those two great doctors. Friendship, gratitude and prayers are, maybe, the three key words!
“Jesus is the sun that has risen upon the horizon of humanity to illuminate everyone’s personal existence to lead us all together to the goal of our pilgrimage, to the land of freedom and peace where we will live in full communion with God and each other forever.”Pope Benedict said on his address before praying the midday Angelus on the feast of the Epiphany. The pilgrimage on earth of Gino and Paddy is now ended and I am so glad and privileged to have been on their way during FIAMC recent history. I am grateful to Paddy to have called me to work for FIAMC, and it was so a pleasure to seeing him and Gino during the different occasions and FIAMC meetings. While reading the announcement of the both passing away , so many memories are arising, maybe the common one is the smile and certainly the fidelity to the Catholic Church. Two great Catholic doctors and two very important persons for FIAMC and Catholic health have leaved us but now in the light of God. My condolence to FIAMC and to their families. R.I.P.
Isabelle Biondi
Paddy’s funeral is on 19th January at 11 am at St James,
Church, Spanish Place, London W1U 3QY (north of Oxford
Street, just off Marylebone High Street)
Paddy loved Spain. In fact, he used to live some months a year in Marbella (South of Spain). I was pleased to receive him and an an Anglican friend, Timothy, in Barcelona years ago. We spent a nice time, speaking about the FIAMC and drinking good Spanish wine.
Thomas Patrick LINEHAN
On 29th December 2011, peacefully at the Hospital of St. John & St. Elizabeth,London, NW8. Dr. Thomas Patrick “Paddy” Linehan MD, FRCGP, DCH, KCSG,KC*HS, aged 87 years. Requiem Mass at the Church of St. James, Spanish Place,George Street, London W1U 3QY on Thursday 19th January at 11am. May he restin peace. No flowers, but donations if desired in favour of the Knights of the HolySepulchre or the Friends of the Holy Land (both registered charities) c/o A France &Son, 45 Lamb’s Conduit Street, London, WC1N 3NH. All enquiries Tel: 020 74054901.
Published in The Times on January 10, 2012
Gracias, Dr. Simón, por la Información. Mañana ofrezco la Eucaristía por
ellos.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Our brothers, ICMC (Indonesian Catholic Medical Community) would like to express our deepest sympathy at the passing of Dr. Gino Papola and Dr. Paddy Linehan. We believe that they are now sit beside Jesus, our Lord, and we will always remember their services to the world medical community.
Ignatius MD, President of ICMC
Tomorrow, January 18, padre Maurizio Pietro Faggioni will offer the Holy Mass for both in Rome.
Dr. François Blin will officially represent the Federation tomorrow in the funeral in London. He was Secretary General and good friend of Paddy.
Siento mucho la muerte de estos amigos. Los encomendaré en la misa.
This morning we are all with Dr. Blin in Paddy´s funeral in London!
I am really sorry!. Will pray for them.
Yours, George