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The passing of Bishop Simon Kulli/ Dom Gjergj Meta, message of condolence

2025-11-29 14:17:00, Aktualitet CNA

Dom Gjergj Meta has reacted to the untimely passing of Monsignor Simon Kulli. Dom Gjergj Meta said that his loss is sad news.

He describes Monsignor Simon as a very loving, calm, discreet, gentle, and wise man.

SMILE ON US FROM PARIS, MRS. SIMON...

Early this morning, His Grace Simon Kulli, Bishop of the Diocese of Sapa and Vice President of the Episcopal Conference of Albania, passed away, quite suddenly and without incident, at the age of 52, as a result of a heart attack. A blow that struck us all today and saddened our hearts.

All those who have had the good fortune to know the good Monsignor Simon know how loving he was, how calm, how prudent, how gentle, how wise. So much so that he could bring peace just by his presence, so silently, without many words, but with his eyes that smiled along with his lips.

Monsignor Simon was a priest and then a bishop who was always ready and available to everyone and always had the great desire to find a solution to any possible problem, which he tried and committed himself to with all his heart. The love, closeness, respect and reverence that his faithful had and still have for him, is the best testimony of his being a wonderful shepherd, who knew his flock deeply, the one that God had entrusted to his care and that He never abandoned, until his last moments.

Each of us has known his weakness for the poor, the sick and the differently abled of the diocese of Sapa, to whom he was always close and caring. His humble service to them made Bishop Simon different and very special, distinguished him, differentiated him. That is why we have chosen this accompanying photo for these words, which we would very much like not to write at all. But we have to do it and we are keeping Bishop Simon smiling, happy, at the center of what he personified and alongside our bishop, with whom he walked side by side until the end...

The last day of his life, so sad that this day was not far away from yesterday, Bishop Simoni spent in our diocese of Rrëshen, precisely in Rrëshen, with his brother, our bishop, Bishop Gjergj Meta, with priests and religious from various dioceses of Albania, as well as with young men and women from all over Albania, so smiling and a dear friend among them, becoming one with them.

Bishop Gjergji in particular, but also all of us, have been touched and marked by this painful coincidence. Yesterday, Bishop Simoni walked through the streets of Rrëshen side by side with Bishop Gjergji; they talked together; they drank coffee; they co-celebrated the Holy Mass within the framework of the organization for which they had gathered; they stayed together. Bishop Simoni donated his last day to friendship, the closest one: with Christ, from which all other friendships and human relationships also stem.

We think you remember that Pope Francis appointed Bishop Simon and Bishop George as bishops of their respective dioceses, on the same day. And Bishop Simon held our bishop's hand until the end, not departing from this life without leaving him and us, his memory alive in the city; without leaving us his blessing, because we truly believe that he came and blessed us.

We express our sincere condolences to the family of Bishop Simon, to his diocesan family in Sapa, as well as to all those who loved and cared for him. May God accept Bishop Simon into His Kingdom, for which he worked according to His commandments and teachings, and may He help us all to find comfort for the loss of our dear man!

We ask for as many prayers as possible for his soul, dear friends. / CNA