John Paul's "white martyrdom"
Wednesday April 2, 2008
--> Wednesday marks the third anniversary of the death of John Paul II, a passing that provoked such an enormous outpouring that the world—and even the College of Cardinals who gathered with the unenviable task of choosing his successor—was...
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About Benedictions: The Pope in America
The last update to the Benedictions blog was in April 2008. We welcome your comments about the Pope and Catholicism in general in our http://community.beliefnet.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=140”>Catholic forums.
David Gibson is an award-winning religion writer who specializes in writing about the Catholic Church, which he joined as a convert at the age of 30. He is the author The Rule of Benedict: Pope Benedict XVI and His Battle with the Modern World. He also wrote The Coming Catholic Church: How the Faithful are Shaping a New American Catholicism. He has written about Catholicism for leading newspapers and magazines, including the New York Times, Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, New York magazine, Boston magazine, Fortune, Commonweal, and America. Gibson worked in Rome for Vatican Radio for several years and traveled frequently with Pope John Paul II. He later covered religion for The Star-Ledger of New Jersey. He has co-written several recent documentaries on Christianity for CNN. For further information check out his website at dgibson.com.
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This is beautifully written! In the "evening years" of our
lives, we often have to contend with declining health. This is not
always an easy transition to make if we have been vigorous and
healthy in youth and our middle years.
Certainly Pope John Paul II was an amazing role-model for living
life to the fullest, despite the constraints of disease, increasing
weakness and frailty. Our past Pope taught us by example that life
always has dignity, and that much can be accomplished even though we
no longer have the strength and stamina we once had.
I can understand Pope Benedict praying not to be selected "Pope".
I will pray for him as his job is not an easy one, and he follows
a Pope who left big shoes to fill...
I do not believe that the ultimate role of Pope Benedict XVI will be overshadowed by his predecessor. It appears that he is trying to regain control of the universal church that was lost when Magisterial authority was fractionalized by giving autonomy to national organizations of national bishops that have been rather lax in their obedience to discipline, doctrine and Magisterial truths. Reports of aberrations in the chaotic wake of The Second Vatican Council that were sent to Rome were returned with the suggestion to take up the grievance with the local authorities that often perpetrated them. it didn't take too long for scandals to begin that were never honestly reported to Rome. Never in my rather long lifetime have so many innocent parishioners in America had to pay so much for so many violators of Catholic doctrine. Too often, it was too easy to attack, blame, and sue the Church for the actions of renegade priests. I hope Pope Benedict VXVI throws down the gauntlet against the so-called Catholic colleges that flaunt Catholic doctrine and precepts, and applies the necessary discipline if they will not listen.
Catholic colleges are real places of learning because of Ted Hesburgh and Paul VI who were not afraid of learning and provided that autocrats in the Vatican would not determine what is true but that prayerful learning is preferred.
John Paul II was very charismatic but he was a very unwise pope who deliberately chose to ignore the pedophilia crisis, especially on its greatest perpetrators, Maciel, whom the pope admired. He was a flawed pope in many ways who confused the problems of Poland with the Universal Church. And even the Polish people ignored him when they achieved their freedom.
John Paul set back the advancement of women and stagnated theology in the church. He did some very good things with the Jews and ecumenism. He had a great moment in Assisi. Benedict to his discredit went against John Paul on Assisi.
Benedict has serious shortcomings and we should face them truthfully instead of continuing useless mythology about him.
I am not a Catholic. I am a Baptist but I must state that John Paul II was one of the greatest Christian leaders the world has had since Jesus. I wish many times that I had traveled to see him. I watched with great emotion his end and funeral, and felt as a member of my own family had passed. I know he is also at the right-hand of God.
2 Cor 12:12 The things that mark an apostle signs, wonders and miracles were done among you with great perseverance.
Could someone inform us of signs, wonders and miracles which JPII did among us before the RCs crown him as another powerless saint.
St. Hilarious,
This is why there is a vigorous investigation before someone is declared a "saint."
eneubauer did not answer my question, but prefers an investigation by the biased.
AERabon states that John Paul II was one of the greatest Christian leaders the world has had since Jesus. However JPII kissed a book which denied the deity of Christ and prefers (totus tuus) giving attention to a demon posing as Mary, instead of worshipping Jesus with all his strength. The Holy Spirit did not manifest miracles and sins and wonders thru the ministry (?) of JPII. JPII displayed all the sins of a false teacher.
it doesn't seem possible that it is 3 years already for the anniversary of the dealth of the the great Pope John Paul 11,This Pope was one of a kind whenever he was on TV or just spoke you were drawn in to his precesence even if you weren't there in person he touched you in such a way. No matter what trouble you were going through he made you feel at peace.There will never be a Pope like him he was one of a kind, He was the Pope of the people maybe because he felt a nd acted like he was one of us. He was like Jesus, This Pope needs to become a saint. For he was one when he was alive.John Paul is truly missed but never forgotten. We love you you always.
They had been elected great popes, who preserved the continuity of the Word of the Lord, but the world needs another Peter for the coming of the living God in the hearts of everybody.