Catholic World News News Feature

Paris Priest Recounts Prayers At Diana's Death Bed October 23, 1997

PARIS (CWN) - A hospital chaplain who was called to Princess Diana's bedside after she died on August 31 told a London newspaper on Thursday that he spent four hours by her body praying for her soul and for her two sons.

Father Yves Clochard-Bossuet, a Catholic priest, told The Mirror newspaper that he was shocked to discover the identity of the patient. "I could not believe I was at her bedside, in front of her. It was difficult to realize the enormity of the situation," he told the newspaper. "All I could think of was the sadness of this young woman dying when she had everything to live for."

Father Clochard-Bossuet also described the chaos he encountered at Pitie Salpetriere hospital when he arrived there at 3 am. "There were so many people -- police, the British ambassador, doctors -- and, outside, journalists were already congregating," he said. "She was already dead. I went to her bedside and prayed for her soul. I prayed for her sons, William and Harry, and I thought of the sadness she had endured in her short life. I am a priest, but I am also a human being. It touched me very much."

The newspaper also quoted Father Clochard-Bossuet as saying he performed the last rites for the princess how was Anglican, but he did not specify which rituals he used. "I gave the princess the last rites according to the Christian church," he said. He added that he was joined later by French first lady Bernadette Chirac and then Prince Charles who brought with him an Anglican minister.