Requiem
A great figure of modern history passed away today. Pope John Paul II, revered leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has left this world. This noteworthy moment demands comment, even in this modest forum.
As many of you know, I am not Catholic. I openly disagree with many teachings of the Church, some introduced or reinforced by this pontiff. I have no brief for the Church. However, I must express my admiration and respect for the man.
John Paul II, despite any critiques based upon his moral teachings, was a humanitarian whose actions improved the lives of millions of people. This Pope's outspoken criticism of Communism on moral grounds undermined that bankrupt system in Eastern Europe. His support of the striking shipyard workers in Gdansk gave legs to the Solidarity movement and cracked the foundation of Soviet rule by force. With the moral backing of millions of Catholics worldwide, the Soviet military was checked, unable to crush the Polish uprising, unlike Czechoslovakia in 1956. His crusade for human rights continued in the Third World after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Few people get to criticize Fidel Castro in his own country, on his own airwaves. Unfortunately, the Pope's work in Cuba remains for his successor.
I salute John Paul's anti-war commitment. World leaders find it easy to criticize the current Iraq war, and the Pope's was a weighty voice in that chorus. However, his condemnation of the first Iraq war in 1991 reveals the strength of his principle. Though world opinion stood against him, John Paul remained steadfast in his advocacy of non-violence. When many find justification in changing supposedly long-held beliefs, the Pope was consistent to his morals. No matter what our opinion on those positions, we must respect the character of a man who holds to his morals, no matter the political wind.
I offer no advocacy here for one religion over another. I simply offer the example of a man who stood for his beliefs with courage and consistency throughout his life. Even if you took away the office of pontiff, this was a man whose word was always good and was never too busy for anyone. A counselor to presidents and paupers, the character of this man is what we should all aspire to. In a world that sometimes wants for role models, there is no shame in taking a pope as yours.
There are many who will take the occasion of his passing to note the shortcomings and scandals of the church while he was on Peter's Throne. This is a better job for historians in a few years or decades after some of his papers are released for public examination. If you need to read such an article, hit slate.com. I postulate the accomplishments of this pontiff earn him the same respect one would accord a passed family member one didn't always agree with. I wouldn't take the opportunity of somebody's death to critique their politics. Even Richard Nixon got rosy coverage at his funeral. Why should the Pope be any different?
An important figure of the last century has passed away. It is tempting to offer condolences to close family members when someone passes away. In this instance, Catholics are too small a group to offer condolences to. I offer my condolences to the entire world, because a great humanitarian has been taken from us.
As many of you know, I am not Catholic. I openly disagree with many teachings of the Church, some introduced or reinforced by this pontiff. I have no brief for the Church. However, I must express my admiration and respect for the man.
John Paul II, despite any critiques based upon his moral teachings, was a humanitarian whose actions improved the lives of millions of people. This Pope's outspoken criticism of Communism on moral grounds undermined that bankrupt system in Eastern Europe. His support of the striking shipyard workers in Gdansk gave legs to the Solidarity movement and cracked the foundation of Soviet rule by force. With the moral backing of millions of Catholics worldwide, the Soviet military was checked, unable to crush the Polish uprising, unlike Czechoslovakia in 1956. His crusade for human rights continued in the Third World after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Few people get to criticize Fidel Castro in his own country, on his own airwaves. Unfortunately, the Pope's work in Cuba remains for his successor.
I salute John Paul's anti-war commitment. World leaders find it easy to criticize the current Iraq war, and the Pope's was a weighty voice in that chorus. However, his condemnation of the first Iraq war in 1991 reveals the strength of his principle. Though world opinion stood against him, John Paul remained steadfast in his advocacy of non-violence. When many find justification in changing supposedly long-held beliefs, the Pope was consistent to his morals. No matter what our opinion on those positions, we must respect the character of a man who holds to his morals, no matter the political wind.
I offer no advocacy here for one religion over another. I simply offer the example of a man who stood for his beliefs with courage and consistency throughout his life. Even if you took away the office of pontiff, this was a man whose word was always good and was never too busy for anyone. A counselor to presidents and paupers, the character of this man is what we should all aspire to. In a world that sometimes wants for role models, there is no shame in taking a pope as yours.
There are many who will take the occasion of his passing to note the shortcomings and scandals of the church while he was on Peter's Throne. This is a better job for historians in a few years or decades after some of his papers are released for public examination. If you need to read such an article, hit slate.com. I postulate the accomplishments of this pontiff earn him the same respect one would accord a passed family member one didn't always agree with. I wouldn't take the opportunity of somebody's death to critique their politics. Even Richard Nixon got rosy coverage at his funeral. Why should the Pope be any different?
An important figure of the last century has passed away. It is tempting to offer condolences to close family members when someone passes away. In this instance, Catholics are too small a group to offer condolences to. I offer my condolences to the entire world, because a great humanitarian has been taken from us.
posted by Coach Jay at 4/02/2005 03:28:00 PM
1 Comments:
Amen.
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