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Tuesday, April 05, 2005
Editorials: John Paul II’s legacy, successor
THE worldwide outpouring of grief for the death of Pope John Paul II should not be surprising to those who followed his reign as head of the Catholic Church.
The man was not only charismatic, he was also pope far longer than many other modern pontiffs, was the most traveled and came when advances in communications technology reduced the world into a village.
It is the same technology, as represented by the international media, that is shaping the perception of the world’s peoples about John Paul II the past few days, and in the days to come, feeding them with information about his life and papacy.
That though, is inadequate and only for the short term. Because an assessment of John Paul II’s legacy can become objective only on the long term, or as history unfurls.
Indeed, John Paul II’s papacy is both form and substance. And much of the current discussion of his legacy, which has prompted some people to call him “John Paul II The Great,” dwells on the former—his charisma, travels, how he touched people’s lives.
There is, however, a dearth of discussion on the substance of his papacy, like the changes he effected on the church organization and policies and their ramifications, his response to the problems affecting the Church worldwide, etc.
Still, whatever will be history’s verdict on John Paul II’s reign would not be as significant as the decision that will be made by a conclave on his successor.
John Paul II became pope in a world very much different from the one now, with challenges from within and without the Catholic Church that are as, or even more, formidable. Thus, there should be little room for error in the conclave’s choice.
Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, one of the 117 cardinals who will be electing the new pope, is therefore right in asking the faithful for prayers and guidance in the selection.
Pope’s image
While the passing of Pope John Paul II reduced many people to tears, others were relieved that his obvious suffering had finally ended.
Indeed, the image of the pope during his waning years—the bowed and weary frame, uncontrolled shaking of the hand, the slurring of the speech—covered extensively by international media could stick in many people’s memories for a long time.
Which is sad given the vitality introduced by John Paul II to the Church in his younger years.
(April 5, 2005 issue)
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