I said yesterday that I wasn’t so much sad to loose John Paul II, but more anticipating the election of someone new. Now that he is really gone, and I’ve had a work-free moment to reflect on him and his legacy, I must say I really am sad to see him go. Not sad in the way most people are sad or distraught when people die, because I don’t really fear death in such a way. I believe he has simply moved on. However I am sad for all of us to have lost such an amazing leader for the church and for humanity.

Reading through all the things he’s done over the last 26 years, and the true impact he has made on the church and human history, I am genuinely sad to see him go. He fought communism, and helped bring freedom and democracy to the people behind the Iron Curtain. He actively promoted diversity in the Church and has been a great champion of welcoming the new church in Latin America, Africa, and Asia into the heirarchy and structure of the Church. If we are going to next have the first non-European Pope in Church history, we have John Paul II to thank. His moral leadership in speaking out against the “culture of death”, which is a sad illness of modern culture. His efforts to atone for, and apologize for past crimes of the Church like the inquisition, and the persecutions of Galleo and Copernicus. His serious work to reach out to and mend the fences between people of other faiths, from Jews to Muslims, Orthodox to Protestant. He was the first Pope to ever visit a Synagogue AND the first to ever visit a Mosque.

His effect on the Church is profound and will be long lasting. Of the 117 in the College of Cardinals, John Paul II has appointed all but three. He has the third longest papacy in all Church history. Out of 2,000 years and he is third. Wow. My entire lifetime, this is the only Pope I’ve known. I don’t know what to think about him leaving and about having someone new. I’ve never known anyone else. Wow. He is said to have been seen by more people than any one person in history. He visited like 120 countries. And with all he has written and all he has done for the Church, his philosophy and doctrine will last for a while.

One of the articles I read in the Post refered to him as the “first modern Pope”, and that title seems fitting. He was a champion of diversity, human dignity, and believe it or not, science. All with a solid moral grounding in Christianity. Many criticize him for being too conservative, as many would have liked to see someone continue more reforms to the Church that was started with Vatican II. I think he was perfect though, and admire him even for the points we disagree on.

I do consider myself a “cafeteria catholic“, and indeed proudly, but over the years I have found myself in agreement with the Pope on most (but certainly not all) issues. Promotion of human freedom and dignity, yet opposition to shallow materialism. Opposition to abortion and the death penalty. Embracing of diversity and social justice. In fact the only points we differ on are things like premarital sex, birth control, and homosexuality. And even those I do agree theologically and morally(in a way), yet disagree with practically and politically.

He never lacks a thoughtful, compassionate, and consistent philosophy of life that comes right from the Bible, and the teachings of Jesus. I think he is far more liberal than most give him credit for. Sure he didn’t keep pushing with more reforms after Vatican II, but its not like he reversed anything. I think he did just what was needed. I could probably go for women priests, but I respect his decision on the subject, but what more do people really want from the Church? I think a huge amount was accomplished at Vatican II, lets embrace that. John Paul reformed the culture of the Church in many important ways beyond simple dogma changes.

He brought the Church to the people, and brought himself to the people. Everyone criticizes Pope Pius for not doing enough to speak out against Nazism and the Holocaust, yet these same people are largely lacking in praise fo Pope John Paul’s involvement in world politics, always on the side of human freedom and dignity. Fighting Communism from Havana to Warsaw, fighting tyrants from Pinochet to Marcos, and even fighting aparthied in South Africa. This Pope has been greatly concerned with human rights for everyone no matter their race or religion, and it makes me sick to hear all the terrible criticism people have for him for not doing enough.

Finally his manner as a person is impressive. A person of great charisma (I hear) when he was younger, and perhaps the first modern celebrity pontiff, Pope John Paul II was always humble, and always living a life in Christ. When visiting foreign nations he would bow down and kiss the dirt in respect and humility. Even when he was older and infirm, he would have people bring the dirt to his lips.

He lives a life of dignity, humility and passion, and for that he will be missed and remembered. This is a sad day. He is credit to our faith and our people. If more people followed his example, in his words and deeds this would be a much better world.

This entry was posted on Saturday, April 2nd, 2005 at 11:03 pm and is filed under Personal. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.