|
Monday, April 04, 2005
Editorial: Closing an era
AS had been expected by many the world over the former Karol Wojtyla later known as Pope John Paul II passed away at his Vatican apartment at 3:37 p.m. Manila time ending days of physical suffering he endured after incurring a simple flu complicated by a respiratory ailment.
Though the papal officials would declare to all and sundry that in his final days Pope John Paul II was serene and had accepted his eventual fate by staying on at the Vatican residence rather than at a hospital.
If he were an average man the time he spent on this Earth would have been more than enough, above the life expectancy set for persons born on the 20th century.
Add to that the accident he incurred as a young man prior to his entry to the seminary, the failed assassination attempt in the 80s and the three operations he sustained and it is awonder that he managed to live this long.
But then of course he is no ordinary man because he was elected to an office that had been designated with both divine and temporal authority. And throughout his tenure, so to speak, he had earned the respect of the world.
Certainly he had earned a special place in the heart of the Philippines which remains to be the only Catholic dominated country in Asia. It was therefore no surprise when the Pope visited this country back in the 80s and in 1995 which drew in thousands of Roman Catholic faithful.
A myriad news reports have been written about his life and times such as how he helped transform his native Poland into a democracy which is one of many changes that have changed both the political and religious landscape in Europe.
But more apparent contributions have been his steadfast commitment to the basic tenets of the Catholic faith such as a strong opposition to the birth control measures adopted by most modern countries like contraceptives and even advances in bio-technology like cloning.
With the Catholic world in mourning over his demise the selection of the next pope would certainly occupy the Church's agenda in as much as preparations for the burial of the late John Paul II is.
In all likelihood the next Pope would have to pick up on the gains achieved by his predecessor and he may be Italian if tradition were to be upheld.
Nevertheless when all is said and done Pope John Paul II's status in world history would be secure and the Church's future not wrapped in uncertainty.
(April 4, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
|
