Pope John Paul II has died. What can I say about such an important and at times controversial figure in world history? I would have nothing to add to this NPR's obituary by Sylvia Poggioli. Read also this written obituary be The Guardian.
As a person who voluntarily separated from the Catholic Church because of all its banal medievalist views I always would take the opportunity of criticizing strongly the Pope for its stubborn adherence to strict traditional dogma. His resistance to change left the catholic faithful in some parts of the world flabbergasted, provoking in the end an exodus from the Church into other faiths or out of religion altogether. Still others remained in the Church humoring official Roman Catholic conservative preaching while realistically adapting their spiritual and practical needs to the realities of everyday life (such as their viewpoints on contraceptives, sex, and celibacy).
It is ironic that in this interview with Zbigniew Brzezinski by NPR's Debbie Elliot the former national security adviser in the Carter Administration emphasizes the Pope's respect for the autonomy of the individual... Funny he should mention that, especially when John Paul II's papacy was precisely - I believe - the very opposite. Despite some positive elements, it is his and the Church's meddling into one of the most beautiful gifts given to us by God, free will, which forms the most distinguishable part. Even more incomprehensible is his scornful reproach of Latin America's liberation theologists while emancipating Polish and Eastern European faithful from the grip of dictatorship and repression. Listen to this NPR report by Martin Kaste.
Still, may he rest in peace.
As a person who voluntarily separated from the Catholic Church because of all its banal medievalist views I always would take the opportunity of criticizing strongly the Pope for its stubborn adherence to strict traditional dogma. His resistance to change left the catholic faithful in some parts of the world flabbergasted, provoking in the end an exodus from the Church into other faiths or out of religion altogether. Still others remained in the Church humoring official Roman Catholic conservative preaching while realistically adapting their spiritual and practical needs to the realities of everyday life (such as their viewpoints on contraceptives, sex, and celibacy).
It is ironic that in this interview with Zbigniew Brzezinski by NPR's Debbie Elliot the former national security adviser in the Carter Administration emphasizes the Pope's respect for the autonomy of the individual... Funny he should mention that, especially when John Paul II's papacy was precisely - I believe - the very opposite. Despite some positive elements, it is his and the Church's meddling into one of the most beautiful gifts given to us by God, free will, which forms the most distinguishable part. Even more incomprehensible is his scornful reproach of Latin America's liberation theologists while emancipating Polish and Eastern European faithful from the grip of dictatorship and repression. Listen to this NPR report by Martin Kaste.
Still, may he rest in peace.
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