Reflection on the Life of John Paul II

Home , Evangelium vitae, John Paul II Institute, Juan Pablo II Bridge, Laborem exercens, Mario Francesco Pompedda, Pope John Paul I

Pope John Paul II’s coat of arms 1978–2005 Serving the ChurchCriterion in Central and Souther n Indiana Since 1960 www.archindy.org April 8, 2005 Vol. XXXXIV, No. 26 75¢ POPE JOHN PAUL II: 1920–2005 The World Was His Mission VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Pope John Paul II, who died on April 2 at age 84, was a voice of conscience for the world and “Man is called to a a modern-day apostle for his Church. fullness of life which To both roles, he brought a philosopher’s intellect, a pil- far exceeds the grim’s spiritual intensity and an actor’s flair for the dramatic. dimensions of his That combination made him one of the most forceful moral leaders of the modern age. earthly existence, As head of the Church for more than 26 years, he held a because it consists in hard line on doctrinal issues and drew sharp limits on dis- sharing the very life sent—in particular regarding abortion, birth control and other of God. The loftiness contested Church teachings on human life. of this supernatural But when it came to the Vatican and the Church hierarchy, vocation reveals the he was never a micromanager. He spent relatively little time on administrative issues, and his response to problems like the greatness and ines- priestly sex abuse crisis was less direct than some would have timable value of preferred. human life even in Especially in later years, his pontificate reflected personal its temporal phase. trial and suffering. An athletic and energetic 58-year-old when Life in time, in fact, elected, he gradually lost his ability to walk, to stand and to express himself clearly—the result of a nervous system disor- is the fundamental der believed to be Parkinson’s disease. By the time he cele- condition, the initial brated his silver jubilee as pope in October 2003, aides were stage and an integral routinely wheeling him around on a chair and reading his part of the entire speeches for him. unified process of Yet he rejected suggestions of retirement and pushed himself human existence. It to the limits of his declining physical capabilities, convinced that such suffering was a form of spiritual leadership. is a process which, See POPE, page 10 unexpectedly and undeservedly, is Pope John Paul II enlightened by the blesses pilgrims promise and renewed from the window by the gift of divine of his Vatican apartment on life, which will reach March 30. A few its full realization in hours after the eternity.” appearance,

the Vatican Giancarlo Giuliani, Catholic Press photo CNS photo by announced that —Pope John Paul II the pope was Evangelium vitae, receiving supple- The Gospel of Life, #2 mentary nutrition through a nasogastric feeding tube. He died on April 2. Reflection on the life of John Paul II

By Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein, O.S.B. But it was also the power of his per- provides a normative teaching of the sonal charisma buttressed by his powerful Catholic faith for contemporary times. Many people knew no other pope than teaching that marked him as a world John Paul II was a true teacher for the John Paul II. His lengthy pontificate and leader even in the latter years of his ill- Church in the modern world. I have often the impact of his ness. Unlike many political leaders, Pope said that the writings of this pope will be stature mark the John Paul had a worldview—that is, he mined for decades to come. He was not papacy like no was not provincial or parochial in his only a prolific teacher but also a profound other in recent his- thinking. one. tory. His vision of a In a world of relativism, secular materi- In my opinion, these teachings of the new Christian mil- alism and individualism, this pope held to pope qualify him to be regarded among lennium was a run- a consistent vision of the truth that valued those popes called “the Great” in our his- ning theme through human life in all its dimensions. His tory. True, his teachings were not and are his years as the encyclicals, The Gospel of Life and The not always popularly received. Vicar of Christ and Splendor of Truth, his teachings on faith I recall my first personal audience with successor to Peter. and reason, drew lines in the sand when Pope John Paul II for obvious reasons. The world was the secular culture was shifting. His teach- But the conclusion of the visit sticks in his mission. Truly he became an interna- ing on the sacredness of the human body my mind. As we were parting, the Holy tional pastor. Certainly his visitation of is groundbreaking. Father asked if there was anything else I every continent and many countries made He authorized and promulgated the would like to say. his pastoring visible and concrete. Catechism of the Catholic Church, which See ARCHBISHOP, page 2 Page 2 The Criterion Friday, April 8, 2005

program of his worldwide pastoring. ARCHBISHOP His “connection” with youth, even in continued from page 1 gatherings of hundreds of thousands, was amazing. Young people seem to have a Photo by Fotografia Felici Fotografia Photo by I said, “Yes, thanks for being a good sense for authenticity in human encounter. pope.” He laughed and replied, “Not I believe this pope’s unquestionable everybody thinks so, but that is OK.” integrity and consistency in his message I have a photograph that recorded that and his life struck a chord with youth who concluding encounter. do not always find this kind of stability on When John Paul II spoke of the dignity which they can rely in our culture. of the human person, he did so with mea- John Paul II was a credible sured conviction. I think that was true spokesman for the poor. He was credible because he had experienced oppression not only because he grew up in relative personally as a young man, as a priest and poverty, but also because he gave his all as a bishop in Poland. He had suffered the for the ministry of the Church. He reality of totalitarian regimes. What sur- claimed little time and certainly few faced in his mind and heart was the confi- amenities for himself. He used his dent conviction that the dignity of the weekly personal day—Tuesday—for his human person would win over atheistic writing and reading. ideologies. Not surprisingly, John Paul II was a John Paul’s flint-like determination to consistent champion of workers and the preach the truth, particularly about the poor. His great feeling for the dignity of dignity of the human person, may have work came with the calloused hands of Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein talks with Pope John Paul II during his ad limina visit at the Vatican in given the impression that he was a daunt- the hard work of smashing rocks in the May 2004. ing personality. In fact, in person, one mines. He had a deep feeling for those for experienced that his power was embedded whom work is their only possible source remembered for mainstreaming ecu- In his latter years, John Paul II was a in warmth and subtle humor. One was not of personal human dignity. He had been menism in challenging circumstances. striking witness to the salvific value of uncomfortable in his presence. there. If he experienced any disappointment suffering. And he lifted up the vital role of I was privileged to be present for most He said quite bluntly: “The Church is in his mission as successor to Peter, it the aged in our Church—a welcome mes- of the World Youth Days during John on the side of the poor and that is where might have been that progress toward sage. Paul’s pontificate. They were a new she must stay.” Christian unity failed to meet his prayerful May he enjoy the eternal reward of his phenomenon inaugurated as a significant In the future, this pope will be hopes. remarkable ministry. † Reflexiones sobre la vida de Juan Pablo II By Arzobispo Daniel M. Buechlein, O.S.B. nuestra historia. Ciertamente no siempre Pope John Paul II sus enseñanzas fueron ni son recibidas greets enthusiastic El mundo era su misión. con popularidad. Por razones obvias, CNS file photo crowds on the Verdaderamente se convirtió en un pastor recuerdo mi primera audiencia personal streets of Mexico City internacional. Ciertamente sus visitas a con el Papa Juan Pablo II. Pero la con- in January 1979 todos los continentes y a muchos países clusión de dicha visita se me ha quedado during his first trip hicieron que su pastoreo fuera visible y grabada en la memoria. Al despedirnos el as pontiff. Frequent concreto. Pero también fue la intensidad Santo Padre me preguntó si había algo papal trips made de su carisma personal, reforzado con su más que quisiera decir. Y dije: “Sí. this pope the most poderosa enseñanza, lo que lo acuñó como Gracias por ser tan buen Papa.” Se rió y traveled in history. un líder mundial, aun en los últimos años me respondió: “No todo el mundo piensa de su enfermedad. A diferencia de muchos igual, pero no importa.” Conservo una líderes políticos, el Papa Juan Pablo II fotografía que recuerda la finalización de contaba con una visión global, es decir, su dicho encuentro. pensamiento no se limitaba únicamente a Cuando Juan Pablo II habló sobre la una provincia o parroquia. dignidad de la persona humana, lo hizo En un mundo de relativismo, material- con deliberada convicción. Creo que esto ismo secular e individualismo, este Papa es cierto ya que él había experimentado mantuvo una visión coherente sobre la ver- personalmente la opresión cuando era Su “conexión” con los jóvenes, aun en manos callosas producto del trabajo arduo dad que valoraba la vida humana en todas joven, como sacerdote y obispo en reuniones de cientos de miles, era impre- de quebrar rocas en las minas. Sentía pro- sus dimensiones. Sus encíclicas, El Polonia. Había sufrido la realidad de los sionante. Los jóvenes parecían tener un fundamente por aquellos para quienes el Evangelio de la Vida y El Esplendor de la regímenes totalitarios. Lo que afloraba en sentido de la autenticidad del encuentro trabajo era la única fuente posible de dig- Verdad, sus enseñanzas sobre la fe y la su mente y en su corazón era la convic- humano. Creo que la integridad incues- nidad humana. Él había estado en su razón, trazaron líneas en la arena en un ción confiada de que la dignidad de la per- tionable de este Papa y la continuidad de lugar. Lo expresaba sin rodeos: “La momento en el que la cultura secular sona humana se impondría sobre las ide- su mensaje y su vida llegaron al corazón Iglesia está del lado de los pobres y es allí estaba cambiando. Sus enseñanzas sobre la ologías ateas. de la juventud, que no siempre halla en donde debe permanecer.” santidad del cuerpo humano son revolu- La determinación pétrea de Juan Pablo nuestra cultura este tipo de estabilidad en En el futuro, este Papa será recordado cionarias. Autorizó y promulgó el de proclamar la verdad, especialmente en la cual apoyarse. por hacer que el ecumenismo llegara a las Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica, que pro- cuanto a la dignidad de la persona El Papa Juan Pablo II fue un vocero masas en circunstancias difíciles. Si es porciona una enseñanza sistematizada de humana, puede haber dado la impresión creíble para los pobres. Era creíble no que experimentó algún desengaño en su la fe católica para la época contemporánea. de que su personalidad era atemorizante. solamente porque creció en medio de una misión como sucesor de Pedro, sería que Juan Pablo II fue un verdadero maestro En efecto, en persona, uno percibía que su pobreza relativa, sino también porque lo el progreso hacia la unidad cristiana no para la Iglesia en el mundo moderno. poder estaba envuelto en un halo de entregó todo por el ministerio de la llegó a cumplir sus entusiastas expectati- Muchas veces he dicho que a los escritos calidez y humor sutil. Uno no se sentía Iglesia. Reservaba poco tiempo y cierta- vas. de este Papa se les sacarán provecho incómodo en su presencia. mente pocas comodidades para sí mismo. En sus últimos años Juan Pablo II fue durante muchas décadas. No solamente Tuve el privilegio de estar presente en Empleaba su día personal semanal, los un testimonio impresionante del valor fue un maestro prolífico, sino también la mayoría de las Jornadas Mundiales de martes, para escribir y leer. No es de sor- redentor del sufrimiento. Y elevó el papel profundo. la Juventud durante el pontificado de Juan prender que Juan Pablo II fuera un vital que desempeñan los ancianos en En mi opinión, estas enseñanzas del Pablo. Estas jornadas representaron un campeón consecuente para los obreros y nuestra Iglesia, un mensaje muy oportuno. Papa lo califican para ser recordado entre fenómeno nuevo como parte de un pro- los pobres. Su elevada estima por la dig- Que disfrute la recompensa eterna de aquellos Papas llamados "los grandes" en grama importante de su pastoreo mundial. nidad del trabajo venía junto con unas su extraordinario ministerio. †

The Criterion (ISSN 0574- 4350) is published weekly except the last week of December and the first 4/8/05 week of January. Phone Numbers: Staff: Moving? 1400 N. Meridian St. Main office: ...... 317-236-1570 Assistant Editor: Mary Ann Wyand Box 1717 Advertising ...... 317-236-1572 Reporter: Brandon A. Evans We’ll be there waiting if you give us two weeks’ Indianapolis, IN 46206-1717 Toll free:...... 1-800-382-9836, ext. 1570 Reporter: Sean Gallagher advance notice! 317-236-1570 Circulation: ...... 317-236-1425 Business Manager: Ron Massey 800-382-9836 ext. 1570 Toll free:...... 1-800-382-9836, ext. 1425 Accounting Clerk: Dana Danberry Name [email protected] Price: $22.00 per year 75 cents per copy Senior Account Executive: Barbara Brinkman New Address ______Periodical Postage Paid at Postmaster: Senior Account Executive: Loretta Hahn Williams Indianapolis, IN. Send address changes to The Criterion, Art Director: Ann Sternberg City ______Copyright © 2005 Criterion P.O. Box 1717, Indianapolis, IN 46206 Graphics Specialist: Dave Sechrist State/Zip ______Press, Inc. Graphics Specialist: Louie Stumpf World Wide Web Page: www.archindy.org New Parish ______POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: E-mail: [email protected] Effective Date ______Criterion Press, Inc. Published weekly except the last week of December and the first week of January. Mailing Note: If you are receiving duplicate copies please send both labels. 1400 N. Meridian St. Address: 1400 N. Meridian Street, Box 1717, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1717. Periodical Postage Box 1717 Paid at Indianapolis, IN. Copyright © 2005 Criterion Press, Inc. ISSN 0574-4350. The Criterion • P.O. Box 1717 • Indianapolis, IN 46206-1717 Indianapolis, IN 46206-1717. The Criterion Friday, April 8, 2005 Page 3 Archbishop and vicar general share memories of pope By Mary Ann Wyand rector of the School of Theology and former college at Saint Meinrad as the An emotional Archbishop Daniel M. Bishop of Memphis, Tenn., in 1987 and

Buechlein said Pope John Paul II was like Archbishop of Indianapolis in 1992. Sean Gallagher Photo by “a father” to him during a press confer- “My prayer is that he will go home to ence following an evening prayer service God peacefully without suffering,” for the Holy Father on April 1 at SS. Peter Archbishop Buechlein said the day before and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis. the pontiff’s death. “He’s fought the good fight,” Arch- “He’s been such a witness, even in his bishop Buechlein told the reporters. “He’s last days, in sickness,” the archbishop run the race. He’s kept the faith, and he said. “… My wish is that he will pass certainly merits a crown.” peacefully and be received with open As the pope’s health continued to arms by Christ. … I’m happy for him.” worsen, Archbishop Buechlein presided at The archbishop said the fact that the a first Friday evening prayer service for pope “decided not to go to the [hospital] him at 5:30 p.m. in the Blessed Sacrament in Rome and to stay in his apartment Chapel at the cathedral. because he wanted to be near the people, I “We are all praying [for him],” the think, is … characteristic of his ministry. archbishop said, “and I have no doubt that He’s been a pope of the people.” he’s going to go straight to the kingdom. Archbishop Buechlein said he also will We’re praying with him and for him, and remember how, during the Way of the we join all the thousands [of people] in Cross held on Good Friday at the prayer in Rome.” Colosseum in Rome, the Holy Father Msgr. Joseph F. Schaedel, vicar general watched the prayerful procession com- Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein speaks with members of the broadcast media on April 5 outside and pastor of Holy Rosary Parish in memorating Christ’s Passion on a televi- SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis following a memorial Mass for Pope John Paul II, who Indianapolis, said on April 3 that the sion in his chapel at the Vatican. died on April 2 at the Vatican. pope’s death reminded him of his own “There was a [television] camera father’s passing in September 2001. behind him,” the archbishop said. “At one archbishop said. “He was who he said he papacy, and Pope John Paul II then picked “The death of Pope John Paul II recalls point, he embraced the crucifix, which was, and he practiced what he preached, up a whole different role as a great teacher the death of my dad,” Msgr. Schaedel was his way of embracing the cross of and he was consistent in telling the truth.” of the Church.” said. “Like Dad, we had all been some- Christ … and his suffering.” The Holy Father died on the eve of the This pontiff will also be remembered what prepared. We knew his death was Pope John Paul was “a missionary to feast of Divine Mercy—a devotion to Jesus for his love and devotion to the Virgin imminent. But, at the same time, it was the world” and “a pastor in a global soci- initiated by St. Faustina Kowalska, a Polish Mary, Archbishop Buechlein said. “His still a shock. And I again feel somewhat ety,” the archbishop said, who wanted nun canonized in 2000—that the pontiff love for the Blessed Mother began early. like ‘an orphan.’ We are without a pope. “Christians [to be] more united and also instituted as a universal observance of the As a young man, he prayed very much to There is a void.” for all people of religious faith to be Church each year on the first Sunday after her for consolation when he lost his father, Archbishop Buechlein said the pope united as one.” Easter. his mother and his brother before he was was much more than a personal friend. The pope also was “a man who stood “Mercy was one of the great teachings 21. That devotion, very appropriately a “He made me a bishop,” the archbishop for the truth,” Archbishop Buechlein said. of his papacy from the very first encyclical part of the devotion of the Polish people, said. “There is a feeling of sweet sorrow. “His landmark writings—[including] The all the way through,” Archbishop has stuck with him all the way.” … I’ve been a bishop 18 years, and … Gospel of Life [and] The Splendor of Buechlein said, “so the [observance of] Archbishop Buechlein also praised the I’ve met with him formally or informally Truth—are all legacies that I think will Divine Mercy Sunday became kind of a pope as an inspirational and extremely about once a year.” only unfold as time goes on. symbol of his great teaching on the mercy intelligent theologian and teacher who The Holy Father appointed the “I think he’s been a leader that everyone of God.” worked tirelessly to end the culture of Benedictine monk who was president and could believe in, a man of integrity,” the Reflecting on the pope’s teachings about death in society. the value of redemptive suffering, “He spoke the truth as he saw it,” the Archbishop Buechlein said the Holy Father archbishop said, and his papacy “centered Archdiocese to celebrate Year was very inspirational in his last days in his around the dignity of the human person.” witness to elderly people, those who feel Msgr. Schaedel said he appreciated the of the Eucharist on June 12 they have no hope, and people who have “comprehensive and sensitive [news spiritual, mental or physical disabilities. media] coverage given to the death of the By Sean Gallagher participated in the Disciples in Mission “What a tremendous witness,” the arch- Holy Father. … They allowed us to evangelization program. bishop said. “He didn’t quit. He kept accompany Pope John Paul II in a real We are living in the middle of the Year of Karen Oddi, archdiocesan evangeliza- going.” way on the final leg of his journey. the Eucharist, a year in which Pope John tion coordinator, said that honoring those Pope John Paul was a servant, minister, “I have fond memories of meeting the Paul II invited the entire Church to enter who took part in Disciples in Mission is father, pastor and teacher, the archbishop Holy Father on several occasions,” Msgr. more deeply into the great mystery of Jesus appropriate during this event. said, as well as a spiritual leader who was Schaedel said, “especially when I was in revealing himself to us in the breaking of the “It re-emphasizes the baptismal call of loved by people all over the world. Rome for the beatification of Blessed bread. putting on Christ,” Oddi said. “The expe- “We have a deep faith that God pro- Mother Theodore Guérin.” Catholics throughout the archdiocese will rience of the Eucharist is a constant rein- vided Pope John Paul II,” he said, “and be able to do this together on June 12 at forcement of our capacity to put on Christ God will provide his successor. … God has (For continuing Catholic News Service Victory Field in Indianapolis during “The and to be Christ for others. And I see that a special plan for each of the popes who coverage of the papal funeral arrange- Year of the Eucharist: Celebrating the Body that carries over into intentional and unin- are elected. Pope John Paul I was a won- ments and upcoming conclave, check The of Christ.” The event will begin at 3 p.m. tentional evangelization.” derful intermediary after Pope Paul VI. The Criterion Online Edition by logging on to During this event, there will be a The eucharistic procession, which is pope who smiles brought a smile to the www.CriterionOnline.com.) † eucharistic procession led by Archbishop the centerpiece of the archdiocese’s cele- Daniel M. Buechlein. Boys and girls from bration of “The Year of the Eucharist: parishes across the archdiocese, who will Celebrating the Body of Christ,” will con- have recently received their First clude with Benediction. Communion, will also be featured. Festive music provided by various Our Lady of Fatima Retreat House Attention will also be given to the groups of Catholics from around the arch- nearly 75 parishes in the archdiocese that diocese will follow the prayer service. † Call to Renewal: A Nurse’s Retreat May 26 and 27, 2005 Get Ready for Spring . . . If you are a nursing professional who is searching for Christian-based renewal, this is the retreat experience for you! Window and Siding Presenters Richard Smith and Nancy Ruschman discuss what nurtures and depletes us, why we choose to do what we do, SALE . . . SAVE 15%* honoring our life’s journey...and much more. Cost is $160.00 if you register by May 1st on Gutters, Siding, Windows Cost is $175.00 if registering after May 1st For a Free Estimate To receive a brochure, call 545-7681 CALL (317) 859-4278 Our Lady of Fatima Retreat House Licensed...Bonded...Insured KEY BANK 5353 E. 56th Street FINANCING Indianapolis, IN 46226 “The Clear Choice” (317) 545-7681 WINDOWS & SIDING BY PETERMAN LLC A Division of Peterman Heating & Cooling, Inc. [email protected] 10% Senior Citizen Discount. Not valid with any other offer . *Restrictions apply. Offer Expires 4/30/05 Page 4 The Criterion Friday, April 8, 2005

OPINION

Be Our Guest/Vincent C. Caponi Reductions in Medicare and

Rev. Msgr. Raymond T. Bosler, Founding Editor, 1915 - 1994 Medicaid hurt the most vulnerable Most Rev. Daniel M. Buechlein, O.S.B., Publisher William R. Bruns, Associate Publisher The statistics are startling. More than people. Greg A. Otolski, Editor John F. Fink, Editor Emeritus 825,000 Hoosiers are currently uninsured, As cited recently by the Catholic Health including 165,350 Association, the consequences of being children. uninsured are significant. According to the As Congress Kaiser Family Foundation, in 2002 more Editorial begins to deliberate than 40 percent of uninsured adults post- the federal budget, it poned seeking medical care. Additionally, Pope John Paul II is important for uninsured children are more likely than became the most- Catholics to have a insured children not to receive treatment traveled pope in his- voice. As you may for common childhood illnesses. tory. Many millions of already be aware, Our mission, as Catholics, compels us people saw him in President George W. to serve as advocates for the most vulnera- CNS photo by ArturoCNS photo by Mari person as a result of Bush is proposing a $60 million reduction ble of our population, including the his travels throughout over the next 10 years in Medicaid and unborn, the poor and the elderly. There- the world. More peo- Medicare spending. fore, we are challenged to raise our collec- ple saw him than saw As the largest health care employer in tive voices. all of his predeces- Indiana, St.Vincent Health serves an ever- While St.Vincent Health supports the sors combined. This increasing number of Medicaid and modernization of federal programs such as photo was taken in Medicare patients. In accordance with our Medicaid and Medicare, we hope this can August 1999. Catholic values, the mission of our min- be achieved without shifting additional istry calls us to serve the most vulnerable costs to local and state governments or to populations, including children, the elderly hospitals and physicians, which could and the disabled. As you well know, these result in additional reductions to the pro- populations are also served by these program’s eligibility or benefits. grams. Any reductions will prove devastat- I am asking you to please join me in ing to these individuals and their access to urging Congress to craft a budget resolu- quality health care. tion in a manner that includes serving the Serving the health care needs of vulner- needs of the poor and vulnerable. Please able Hoosiers is paramount to our mission. write your local representative and ask him I am proud of the fact that in fiscal year or her to oppose reductions in Medicaid or 2004, St.Vincent Health spent more than Medicare spending. John Paul the Great? $78 million in charity care and community Together, we can make a difference. benefit. It’s evident the proposed reduc- any Catholics are convinced that and the relationship of faith and reason. tions in Medicare and Medicaid spending (Vincent C. Caponi is chief executive MPope John Paul II will go down He also wrote several books, and others will further strain the financial resources of officer of Indianapolis-based St. Vincent in history as Pope John Paul the Great. were produced with his cooperation. our ministries and their abilities to serve Health.) † It’s impossible to know now whether He worked tirelessly to promote bet- he will ever join the ranks of Pope Leo ter relations with Judaism and with Parish Diary/Fr. Peter J. Daly the Great (440-461) or Pope Gregory other Christian, as well as non- the Great (590-604), the only two popes Christian, religions. He apologized fre- who were ever granted that title. Even quently for errors committed by Church The relationship between Catholic such remarkable popes as Innocent III leaders in the past against Jews, and Gregory VII never received this Muslims and others. There can be little social teaching and Social Security encomium, but it’s quite possible that doubt that he was admired by more John Paul will be so honored. people in the world than any other reli- Do Catholics have anything to bring to with Christ and others. That is the basis of That, though, hardly detracts from gious or political leader. Twice, he the current debate about the Social Security the Church itself. the outstanding accomplishments of this called leaders of all religions together to system? Solidarity sees every other person as first Polish pope and the first non-Italian pray for peace—the only religious We have a 100-year another self with the same needs and dig- pope in 455 years, since Adrian VI in leader who could have done so. tradition of Catholic nity. Solidarity is closely related to the 1522-23. Throughout his pontificate, he was social teaching on eco- common good. If we have a sense of soli- His pontificate extended for more extremely popular with youth. This was nomics and social jus- darity, then we will put a high premium on than 26 years, since his election on understandable when he was a strong tice. We have some the common good of society. Common Oct. 16, 1978. Then he was a vigorous athletic man, but his popularity with important principles, good takes precedence over personal gain. man who, even after his election, con- young people continued into his old age based on our faith and In recent years, the principles of solidar- tinued to enjoy skiing and hiking in the and infirmities. philosophy, which ity and the common good have been cou- mountains. He installed a swimming He tried to put the ideas of colle- grow out of our read- pled with what the Church has called the pool at his residence at Castel Gandolfo giality with the bishops into practice ing of the Scriptures “fundamental option for the poor.” This so he could exercise there. by presiding over 15 synods of bish- and the experience of the Church. scriptural notion follows the prophets. It As a sharp contrast to the popes of a ops, usually issuing apostolic exhorta- Catholic social teaching on economics says that we should choose policies that century earlier who made themselves tions following the synods. When the stretches from Pope Leo XIII and his “hear” the cry of the poor since the Lord “prisoners in the Vatican,” Pope John idea of a new catechism was suggested 1891 encyclical on the rights of labor, hears the cry of the poor. Paul became the most-traveled pope in at a synod, he approved the project and Rerum Novarum, to Pope John Paul II and If we take the principles of solidarity, history. Many millions of people saw then authorized the Catechism of the his encyclical Centesimus Annus. the common good and the fundamental him in person as a result of his travels Catholic Church in 1992. He oversaw Along the way in the United States, option for the poor seriously, it is not throughout the world. More people saw the revision of the Code of Canon Law Catholic social teaching included prophetic enough for me just to worry about myself. him than saw all of his predecessors and promulgated the new code in leaders like Caesar Chavez and Dorothy In structuring a retirement system, we combined. 1983. Day. It also includes the writings of people should be concerned about the old-age He also canonized and beatified He was sensitive to women’s issues like Msgr. John A. Ryan, who drafted a needs of society. Society is made more just many more people than all of his prede- while continuing to insist that the 1919 letter on “Social Reconstruction” when everyone is protected from poverty cessors combined. Church is unable to ordain women. His issued as a statement of the U.S. bishops. in old age. This includes widows, orphans Perhaps historians will remember continued support for priestly celibacy That letter advocated, among other and the disabled. It also means that some- him particularly for his role in the dra- also put him at odds with some people things, a system of social insurance for old times the poor will receive more and the matic events leading to the fall of com- in the Church. age. Msgr. Ryan became the apostle of rich may receive less than they pay into the munism in Eastern Europe, including During recent years, as he suffered Social Security and an adviser to President system. This was a feature of the early his home country. His visits to Poland from Parkinson’s disease, the effects of Roosevelt. In 1937, not long after Social Church in the Acts of the Apostles. and his support of the Solidarity labor the attempt at his assassination, a bro- Security began, he gave the invocation at Why should the rich be in favor of such movement there strengthened resistance ken hip and an appendectomy, he taught Roosevelt’s second inauguration. a thing? Because they have a sense of soli- to communism. This led to nonviolent us the value of suffering. No longer the What is Catholic about Social Security? darity. Because they value the common liberation movements, the collapse of energetic man he once was, he never- The fact that it is “social”—not “per- good. Because, like Christ, they choose in communist regimes, the fall of the theless believed that his sufferings were sonal” or “private”—security. favor of the poor. Berlin Wall and the breakup of the his vocation at that point in his life, his Catholic social teaching has a few basic Although Catholic social teaching val- Soviet Union. call from God to teach others how to principles that grow out of the biblical con- ues and protects private property, we rec- His literary output—including offer their sufferings to God. He cept of justice. Three principles relevant to ognize that when government gets 14 encyclicals—set another record. He referred to his illnesses as “the mission this issue are solidarity, the common good involved, it should be for the common was by far the most prolific writer as a Jesus entrusted to me.” and the fundamental option (choice) in good, not personal or private good. pope. The encyclicals show his concern God has finally released him from favor of the poor. Government is supposed to be about guar- for the protection of all human life, for those sufferings and taken him to his The word “solidarity” comes up every- anteeing the prosperity and security of the social justice (three social encyclicals), eternal reward. We thank God for giv- where in Catholic social teaching. It figures whole society. for ecumenism and interreligious rela- ing us this great man to lead his Church so prominently in the thinking of Pope What is Catholic about Social Security tions, his love for the Blessed Virgin, during our lifetime. John Paul II that the Polish labor move- is that it is social, not personal, security. ment chose it for its name. — John F. Fink Solidarity is a Christian virtue, says the (Father Peter J. Daly is a columnist for pope, based upon the idea of communion Catholic News Service.) † The Criterion Friday, April 8, 2005 Page 5

ARCHBISHOP/ARZOBISPO DANIEL M. BUECHLEIN, O.S.B.

SEEKING THE FACE OF THE LORD BUSCANDO LA CARA DEL SEÑOR

Terri Schiavo reminds us that only God is the Lord of life asn’t it ironic that as we were vital signs were positive. Who knows persons unable to care for themselves. can any authority legitimately recom- observing Holy Week and what might have been going on in her In his landmark encyclical on The mend or permit such an action’ ” (The WEaster 2005, Terri Schiavo’s mind? Family members gave poignant Gospel of Life (“Evangelium Vitae”), Gospel of Life, #57). family was fighting for her life? Terri descriptions of her vitality. Because she Pope John Paul II wrote: “The deliberate Earlier in his encyclical on life, the pope died on March 31. could not voice her own desires, she decision to deprive an innocent human quoted another citation from the It appears that the federal courts may became a victim of an arbitrary decision. being of his life is always morally evil Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, now have determined which helpless One often hears her kind of condition and can never be licit either as an end in The Gift of Life, “Human life is sacred people should be allowed to live and described as being a “vegetative state.” itself or as a means to a good end. It is in because from its beginning it involves ‘the which should be killed. The decision to The language is prejudicial in that it fact a grave act of disobedience to the creative action of God,’ and it remains for- remove the feeding and hydration tubes demeans human life as if it degenerates to moral law, and indeed to God himself, the ever in a special relationship with the was a decision to starve Terri and to let the state of a vegetable. The living being author and guarantor of that law; it con- Creator, who is its sole end. God alone is her die of thirst. In our day, nutrition and is still human despite the debilitated con- tradicts the fundamental virtues of justice the Lord of life from its beginning until its hydration by medical procedure is not an dition. Terri did not cease to be human. and charity.” [The Holy Father then end: no one can, in any circumstance, extraordinary means of care. Some people said if they were in her quotes a Declaration on Euthanasia issued claim for himself the right to destroy A local radio station conducted a poll condition, they would not want to live. I by the Congregation for the Doctrine of directly an innocent human being” (#53). during the height of the judicial proceed- don’t think that hypothetical assertion is the Faith in 1980.] ‘Nothing and no one God himself is the Lord of life, all ings. “Would you favor keeping the feed- persuasive. We don’t know what we can in any way permit the killing of an human life. Every human being is formed ing tubes in Terri Schiavo or would you let might want in that condition and, besides, innocent human being, whether a fetus or in God’s image and likeness. That very her die a natural death?” Natural death? choosing to end our life is not an option. an embryo, an infant or an adult, an old fact means human life is given a sacred Starvation and dehydration are not That kind of thinking finds itself on a person, or one suffering from an incur- and inviolable character. It is not appro- “natural” causes of death. Later, the slippery slope. How would one make the able disease, or a person who is dying. priate for judicial leaders and others to newscaster remarked that folks must not decision about the quality of life? Furthermore, no one is permitted to ask take upon themselves the prerogative of have understood the question. Apparently At what point does the lack of quality for this act of killing, either for himself or the Creator of life. he was surprised that 78 percent of the justify destroying life—as if it does? On herself or for another person entrusted to It is tragic that Terri Schiavo is neither respondents said the tubes should remain. a call-in radio show, one man had it right. his or her care, nor can he or she consent the first nor the last victim of such arro- The newscaster couldn’t understand why He said that one can expect that the to it, either explicitly or implicitly. Nor gance. † some folks objected to the way the ques- Schiavo decision of 2005 will have set in tion was framed. motion the possibility that for financial Other stories about this notorious case reasons or because of inconvenience or Archbishop Buechlein’s intention for vocations for April framed the issue in terms of a person’s overcrowding of nursing homes, arbitrary Priests: that they may joyfully and faithfully live out their priestly promises and encour- “right to die.” It seems to me that the real decisions can be made to rid our society age other men to embrace God’s call to the priesthood. issue is the right to live! Terri Schiavo’s of the disabled elderly folks or other

Terri Schiavo nos recuerda que sólo Dios es el Señor de la vida ¿ o es acaso irónico que mientras el derecho a vivir! Los signos vitales de asilos, se puedan tomar decisiones para Previamente en su encíclica de la vida, observábamos la Semana Santa Terri Schiavo eran positivos. ¿Quién sabe aliviar a nuestra sociedad de los ancianos el Papa citó otro texto de la Congregación Ny la Pascua de Resurrección qué le habría estado pasando por la discapacitados u otras personas incapaces para la Doctrina de la Fe (El obsequio de 2005 la familia de Terri Schiavo luchaba cabeza? Sus familiares daban de cuidarse a sí mismas. la vida): “La vida humana es sagrada por su vida? Terri murió el 31 de marzo. descripciones conmovedoras sobre su En su encíclica hito sobre el Evangelio porque desde su inicio comporta “la Parece que ahora las cortes federales vitalidad. Debido a que no podía de la Vida (Evangelium Vitae), el Papa acción creadora de Dios” y permanece han determinado a quiénes de los expresar sus propios deseos sucumbió Juan Pablo II escribió: “La decisión siempre en una especial relación con el desvalidos se les permite vivir y a quiénes víctima de una decisión arbitraria. deliberada de privar a un ser humano Creador, su único fin. Sólo Dios es Señor debe matarse. La determinación de retirar Uno escucha con frecuencia que su inocente de su vida es siempre mala desde de la vida desde su comienzo hasta su los tubos de alimentación e hidratación padecimiento se describe como estar en el punto de vista moral y nunca puede ser término: nadie, en ninguna circunstancia, fue una decisión de matar de hambre a un “estado vegetativo”. El idioma está lícita ni como fin, ni como medio para un puede atribuirse el derecho de matar de Terri y dejarla morir de sed. En nuestros prejuiciado en el sentido que desprecia a fin bueno. En efecto, es una desobediencia modo directo a un ser humano inocente” días la alimentación e hidratación por la vida humana, rebajándola a la condi- grave a la ley moral, más aún, a Dios (#53). intervención médica no es un sistema de ción de un vegetal. El ser viviente es aun mismo, su autor y garante; y contradice El propio Dios es el Señor de la vida, cuidado extraordinario. un humano, a pesar de su condición las virtudes fundamentales de la justicia y toda la vida humana. Todo ser humano es Una estación de radio local llevó a debilitada. Terri no dejó de ser humana. de la caridad. (Seguidamente el Santo creado a imagen y semejanza de Dios. Ese cabo una encuesta durante el auge del Algunas personas dijeron que si Padre cita la Declaración sobre la mero hecho significa que a la vida proceso judicial. “¿Está usted a favor de estuvieran en su situación no querrían Eutanasia emitida por la Congregación humana se le otorga un carácter sagrado e dejarle los tubos de alimentación a Terri vivir. No creo que una aseveración para la Doctrina de la Fe en 1980): ‘Nada inviolable. No es apropiado que los Schiavo o dejaría usted que muriera una hipotética sea un argumento persuasivo. ni nadie puede autorizar la muerte de un líderes judiciales y demás personalidades muerte natural?” ¿Una muerte natural? No sabemos qué podríamos querer si ser humano inocente, sea feto o embrión, se atribuyan la prerrogativa del Creador La hambruna y la deshidratación no estuviéramos en esa situación y, además, niño o adulto, anciano, enfermo incurable de la vida. son causas de muerte “naturales”. elegir acabar con nuestra vida no o agonizante. Nadie además puede pedir Es trágico que Terri Schiavo no sea la Posteriormente el comentarista resaltó que constituye una opción. Ese tipo de este gesto homicida para sí mismo o para primera ni la última víctima de semejante seguramente la gente no había entendido pensamiento se encuentra en una colina otros confiados a su responsabilidad ni arrogancia. la pregunta. Aparentemente estaba resbaladiza. ¿Cómo podemos decidir puede consentirlo explícita o implícita- sorprendido de que 78 por ciento de los sobre la calidad de vida? mente. Ninguna autoridad puede encuestados respondieran que debería ¿En qué momento la falta de calidad legítimamente imponerlo ni permitirlo’.” Traducido por: Language Training Center, dejársele los tubos. El comentarista no de vida justifica su destrucción, como si (Evangelium Vitae, #57). Indianapolis podía entender por qué algunas personas así fuera? En un programa de radio en el cuestionaron la forma en que la pregunta que las personas llamaban, un hombre estaba formulada. dio en el clavo. Dijo que es de esperarse Otras historias sobre este caso tan que la decisión sobre Schiavo de 2005 La intención del Arzobispo Buechlein para vocaciones en abril notable enfocaban el asunto en términos haya accionado la posibilidad de que, por Sacerdotes: ¡Que ellos realicen sus promesas como sacerdotes con júbilo y fe y den del “derecho a morir” de una persona. ¡A razones financieras o debido a la ánimo a otros hombres para que contesten la llamada de Dios al sacerdocio! mí me parece que el verdadero asunto es inconveniencia o sobrepoblación en los Page 6 The Criterion Friday, April 8, 2005

Check It Out . . .

Catholic Social Services is hosting the annual Spirit of cost is $200 and includes room and board. For more informa- Saint Francis. Bob Martin, a licensed chemical dependency Service Awards Dinner on April 26 at the Indiana Roof tion about either event, call Providence Sister Susan Paweski counselor, will present the retreat. A women’s retreat titled Ballroom, 140 W. Washington St, in Indianapolis. The event at 773-463-2478 or e-mail [email protected]. “A New Look at Grace: Rediscovering the Transfor- will begin with a reception at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at mative Power Hidden in the Now Moment of Our 6:30 p.m. James Morris, executive director of the United The Music Division of the Department of Performing and Lives,” will be offered on May 20-22. The cost of each Nations World Food Program, will be the keynote speaker. Visual Arts at Marian College, 3200 Cold Spring Road, in retreat is $80 for a commuter or $110 for a resident in a sin- Six individuals and one corporation from the archdiocese Indianapolis, will present a jazz and pops concert at 4 p.m. gle room. A double room is $95 per person. For more infor- will also be honored with Spirit of Service Awards. For on April 17 in the newly renovated Indianapolis Civic mation, call the retreat center at 812-923-8817 or e-mail more information or to learn about the cost of reserving a Theater on the campus. The event is a joint concert of vocal [email protected] or log on to www.cris.com/~mtstfran. table or seat, call Tanya Pongracz at 317-236-1447 or 800- and instrumental music in the popular, musical theater and 382-9836, ext. 1447. jazz genres. The concert is free and open to the public. For The seventh annual archdiocesan SPRED Liturgy will be more information, call Jim Larner, co-chair of Marian’s held at 3 p.m. on April 17 at St. Monica Church, 6131 N. Attorney Sarah Nagy, who represented the late Indiana Department of Performing and Visual Arts, at 317-955-6109. Michigan Road, in Indianapolis. The Special Religious Death Row inmate Donald Ray Wallace Jr. of Evansville, Education program of the archdiocese invites participants, will discuss “The Church and the Death Penalty” at The Catholic Professional and Business Club will have their families and their catechists to come to the Mass as 10:30 a.m. on April 10 in Feltman Hall at St. Simon the its next meeting on April 21. Mass will begin at 6:30 a.m. at well as all those with special needs or anyone whose life has Apostle Parish, 8155 Oaklandon Road, in Indianapolis. Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 14598 Oakridge Road, been touched by someone with a disability or special need. There is no charge for the educational program. For more in Carmel, Ind., in the Diocese of Lafayette. Breakfast will A reception will be held after the Mass. For more informa- information, call 317-826-6000. follow at the Ritz Charles, 12156 N. Meridian St., in tion, call the SPRED office at 317-236-1448. Carmel. Benedictine Father Noah Casey, pastor of St. John The Benedict Inn Retreat and Conference Center, 1402 the Evangelist Parish in Indianapolis, will speak about “The The Ave Maria Guild is sponsoring a card party from Southern Ave., in Beech Grove, is holding a special event “Spiritual Life.” Reservations are due by Feb. 15. For more 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on April 14 at the Benedict Inn Retreat titled “Sweet Inspiration” from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on May 1. information, log on to www.cpbc-ld.org. and Conference Center, 1402 E. Southern Ave., in Beech The event will feature a chocolate buffet and music by Grove. The event will feature an ala carte luncheon. Franklin Central High School choral students. The cost is A 5K Run/Walk benefiting St. Philip Neri School in Proceeds will benefit the St. Paul Hermitage. The guild will $30 per person or $25 per person if you bring a friend. Indianapolis will take place at 9 a.m. on April 30 at honor volunteers during an appreciation Mass and lun- Space is limited. A retreat on “The Spirituality of Non- St. Pius X Parish, 7200 Sarto Dr., in Indianapolis. The entry cheon, followed by a business meeting, beginning at Violent Conflict Resolution” will be presented by Basilian fee is $15 for adults and $8 for children, and includes a T- 11 a.m. on April 12 at the St. Paul Hermitage, 501 N. 17th Father Gordon Judd from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on shirt. For more information, call Sharon McGoff at 317-251- Ave., in Beech Grove. For more information, call 317- April 30. The cost of the retreat is $60 per person. For more 9396 or e-mail [email protected]. 881-5818. † information or to make a reservation for either program, call the retreat center at 317-788-7581 or e-mail benedictinn@ The St. Augustine Guild is sponsoring its “Hats Off to VIPs . . . yahoo.com or log on to www.benedictinn.org. Spring” Style Show on May 4 at the Ritz Charles, 12156 N. Meridian St., in Carmel, Ind., in the Diocese of Lafayette. The Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods are Glendal Jones of Fox 59 TV will be the moderator. All pro- Elmer and Catherine (Dever) Cooper, members of planning a fund-raising excursion on Lake Michigan on ceeds will benefit the work of the Little Sisters of the Poor St. Jude Parish in Indianapolis, will celebrate their May 21. The journey on The Odyssey begins at 11 a.m. at and their ministry at St. Augustine Home for the Aged in 60th wedding anniversary on April 10 with a noon Mass at Chicago’s Navy Pier, and will include a meal, music and Indianapolis. The cost is $25 per person. For reservations, their parish and an open house from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The silent auction. The cruise will end at 1:45 p.m. The cost is $65 call Dottie Butcher at 317-843-0524. couple was married on April 7, 1945, at the former St. per person. “Providence at the Heart of Our Lives” will be Francis de Sales Church in Indianapolis. They have five the focus of a spring retreat on April 15-17 at the Warrenville “The Spirituality of the 12 Steps,” a 12-step AA/Al- children: Janice Davis, Jo Ellen Laroche, Rosemary Ooley, Retreat Center in Warrenville, Ill. Providence Sisters Mary Anon retreat, will be offered on May 6-8 at the Mount Jeanann Strong and Stephen Cooper. They have 12 grand- Alice Zander and Susan Peweski will lead the retreat. The St. Francis Retreat Center, 101 St. Anthony Dr., in Mount children and 8 great-grandchildren. † Archdiocese to co-sponsor ‘Treasuring Womanhood’ conference on April 30 The archdiocesan Office for Pro-Life Ministry and the Womanhood Conference because women, the bearers of Marian Center of Indianapolis are co-sponsoring the sec- life, today more than ever, need to appreciate and cele- ond annual Catholic Women’s Conference on April 30. brate the gift of their femininity, in light of the truths of The event, titled “Treasuring Womanhood,” will take our faith,” said Servants of the Gospel of Life Sister place from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Sagamore Ballroom Diane Carollo, director of the pro-life office.

at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown “When we look around the world, and even in our own Wyand MaryFile photo by Ann Indianapolis. culture, we see women underrated, exploited or treated as Internationally known speaker and singer Dana will be inferior to men,” Sister Diane said. “Christ gives to the keynote speaker. women their proper identity and vocation. Our conference The day will also include a presentation by Mary Beth upholds the dignity, sanctity and equality of women Bonacci titled “Outstanding Women of America.” Bonacci before God, who created us in His image and likeness.” has spoken around the country about love and relation- The conference, she said, is an event that focuses on ships. She holds a master’s degree in the theology of mar- witnessing to hope. riage and family from the John Paul II Institute at Lateran “Women of faith, women of grace, women committed University. to the Gospel of life are witnesses proclaiming hope to a The conference will also feature a Mass celebrated by broken world,” Sister Diane said. “Christ and his liberat- Msgr. Joseph F. Schaedel, vicar general and pastor of ing truths are what set us free to live authentic lives as Holy Rosary Parish in Indianapolis. wives, mothers, single women or women consecrated as The sacrament of reconciliation will be available all virgins or vowed religious in the Church. It is Christ’s day. truth that should define us and bring us to holiness and Lunch will be provided. The cost is $35 per person, guide us to union with God.” Internationally known speaker and singer Dana will be the keynote which includes lunch. The registration deadline is speaker at the upcoming “Treasuring Womanhood” conference on April 15. Registrations received after that date (or walk- (For more information about the Treasuring Womanhood April 30 in Indianapolis. It is the second year that the archdiocesan ins) may not be able to receive a lunch. conference, call the Marian Center in Indianapolis at 317- Office for Pro-Life Ministry and Marian Center of Indianapolis have “The Pro-Life Office co-sponsors the Treasuring 924-3982 or 317-888-0873.) † co-sponsored the Catholic women’s conference. LIFE CHANGING YEAR OF THE PILGRIMAGES EUCHARIST May 9 - 12 JESUS Alabama to Shrine of Most Blessed Sacrament and ❧ Mother Angelica's EWTN live Television Show. IS MY June 3 - 5 Wisconsin for a retreat pilgrimage to Schoenstatt. COACH Also includes shrines of: St. Therese, Holy Hill, Chapel of St. Joan of Arc and St. Maximilian Kolbe. Perfect for July 5 - 14 Eucharistic Adoration begins at noon until 4:30 on Italy with Fr. Gerald Borawski including Rome, your young Monte Cassino, Pompeii, Tivoli and Assisi. Sunday April 17 Catholic July 31 - August 4 athlete… Annual Healing Novena at Our Lady of Snows in 4:30 — Evening Prayer and Benediction Illinois plus visits to St. Louis. Sacrament of Reconciliation available on the hour Nov. 3–18 Holy Land sites in Jordan, Israel and Egypt from 1:00–4:00 The Village Dove with Fr. Christopher Craig. 722 E. 65th Street 11523 Lantern Road 7015 S. U.S. 31 Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church Indianapolis Fishers Indianapolis Indianapolis’ original Catholic parish & former pro-cathedral 317-253-9552 317-845-5487 317-881-6296 Call For FREE Brochures (One block east of College) (116th and Lantern) (Southport and U.S. 31) 126 West Georgia Street Toll Free: 1-888-240-1858 Indianapolis, IN 46225 CALL FOR A FREE CATALOG 317-637-3941 24-hour Information www.villagedove.com • E-mail: [email protected] www.lion-lamb.com across from the Indiana Convention Center E-mail: [email protected] 800-452-9153 & RCA Dome The Criterion Friday, April 8, 2005 Page 7 Pope John Paul II inspired four diocesan priests

By Sean Gallagher Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in New Albany, is able to recall his role in the

Although he is the leader of more than entirety of Pope John Paul’s 10-day pas- Submitted photo 1 billion Catholics, the bishop of Rome toral pilgrimage to the United States in also has the power to touch individual 1987 when he thinks of the now deceased lives. Holy Father. Four diocesan priests personally experi- He had been a college seminarian for enced the impact of Pope John Paul II. three years, ending in 1986. After decid- Father Joseph Riedman, pastor of Holy ing to end his studies for the priesthood, Spirit Parish in Indianapolis, was begin- he took a job at the then National ning his first trip to Europe as the con- Conference of Catholic Bishops in clave that would eventually elect Cardinal Washington. Karol Wojtyla was meeting at the Vatican. But he was serving in no ordinary posi- When he arrived at an airport in New tion. Etienne was the assistant coordinator York City, Father Riedman approached a for the 1987 pilgrimage. He served as a stranger, seeking news from Rome. liaison between the bishops’ conference “I asked somebody, ‘Do we have a and the dioceses of the cities where the pope yet?’ ” Father Riedman recalled, Holy Father was planning to visit, mem- “and he said, ‘Well yeah, but he has a bers of the national and international girl’s name. His name is Karol.’ He said, press, the White House, the Secret Service ‘I think he’s Polish.’ ” and the Holy See itself. The pilgrimage that Father Riedman To prepare for his duties, Etienne trav- was leading was scheduled to visit Rome. eled with the pope during his five-day pil- Tickets to a papal audience had been grimage to Australia in 1986. A year later, acquired long in advance. he accompanied him to 10 cities across At the Vatican in April 1979, Pope John Paul II greets Thomas Murphy of Indianapolis, now a retired Little did he know at the time that he the country. diocesan priest. At the time, Murphy was president of Serra International. He gave the Holy Father a would be attending the first general audi- Papal pilgrimages during the pontificate cassette tape of music recorded by the Benedictine monks of Saint Meinrad Archabbey in southern ence of Pope John Paul II. of John Paul II were often a whirlwind of Indiana and a watercolor scene of the University of Notre Dame in northern Indiana. In the spring of the following year, events and meetings with thousands of Thomas Murphy, then the president of Serra people. Father Etienne recalled how the papal pilgrimage: World Youth Day in Father Murphy, who met John Paul International, a worldwide organization pro- pope remained calm throughout it all. Denver in August 1993. soon after his election and later served at moting priestly and religious vocations, was “I was just always in awe of the man,” Many of the youth who were drawn to his Masses, now copes with that same ail- called from his home in Indianapolis to visit he said. “The thing that just struck me the Holy Father throughout his pontificate ment and is encouraged by the late pope’s the Holy Father at the Vatican. always about him was this deep abiding later became priests and religious. One of example. Murphy was ordained to the priesthood sense of peace that was within. You knew them is Father Justin Martin, associate pas- “I have Parkinson’s and I’m living with on Aug. 17, 1985. that it came from his prayer life.” tor of St. Monica Parish in Indianapolis. Parkinson’s as a priest,” he said. “I’m not In an interview with The Criterion on The peace that he was able to show, Born just two years before John Paul II suffering from Parkinson’s. The Holy the day after the Holy Father’s death, however, did not mean that he was was elected, Father Martin’s vocational Father was an inspiration. Father Murphy recalled that one of the detached from those he met along the discernment was in part inspired by the “If the Holy Father, with Parkinson’s, gifts he gave to the pope was a recording way. Father Etienne recalled John Paul’s late pope. He studied for the priesthood at can lead the world’s Church,” Father of the Benedictine monks of Saint reaction after a rousing youth rally in Los the North American College in Rome and Murphy said, “I can certainly endeavor to Meinrad Archabbey. Angeles during the 1987 pilgrimage. met the pope on a few occasions. be a good parish priest here in Indian- In just three years, Murphy went from “He actually came off to the backstage “His strength and his zeal for prayer apolis.” presenting the Holy Father with a musical when it was all over with,” Father Etienne and for peace and for prosperity for all Over the course of his 26-year pontifi- recording to making his own musical said, “and one of the other coordinators people is what drove me,” he said. “He cate, Pope John Paul II was the leader of a offering in St. Peter’s Basilica when he was there, and he looked at him and said, had a presence about him. When you were Church that counted hundreds of millions was asked, then as a seminarian studying ‘So, how did I do?’ with him, that was Christ.” in its fold. Yet he also touched the lives of at the North American College in Rome, “And I said, ‘Oh, Holy Father, you just Father Martin was ordained in 2002, at untold individuals, including many here in to serve as the organist at a special papal knocked them dead.’ Of course, you could the height of the priestly sexual abuse cri- the archdiocese. Mass. tell with the twinkle in his eye, he knew sis. During those trying times, he turned Just hours after the pope died, Father It was a Eucharist where the bishops of that he did. And he just kind of grinned to the pope for strength, saying that his Etienne spoke about his feelings regarding Argentina, England, Wales and Scotland and laughed and said, ‘Oh, you think so?’ constant message of “Be not afraid” had a the passing of a man who played such an were gathered. The liturgy served as an because he knew he nailed that one.” “real impact” on him. influential role in his life. important piece in the pope’s diplomatic But Father Etienne was quick to Those were the words with which Pope “There’s that real sense of joy and grat- effort to bring an end to the conflict over emphasize that the ultimate purpose in all John Paul II began his pontificate. And he itude for he who is, who he’s been and the Falklands Islands. his meetings was to open all those with lived that message in his final days as the what he’s done for us,” Father Etienne Later, when Father Murphy served as whom he met to an encounter with Jesus debilitating effects of Parkinson’s disease said. “And because of that, there’s that the archdiocesan director for ecumenism, Christ. would finally take his life. real sense of loss as well.” † he led a delegation of the leaders of the “He just was always about Christ,” Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to Father Etienne said. “He was not afraid to Rome and introduced them to Pope John speak about the sacrifice that was entailed Paul II on the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica. in being a faithful follower of Christ. But Father Murphy recounted how, growing he was also one who was able to touch up in Irvington on the east side of upon the joy of being a follower of Christ. Indianapolis, he was well aware of the And he knew that from his own experi- divisions in Christianity since the ence. He was a man of profound relation- Disciples of Christ headquarters were ship with Christ, and it showed in every- there at the time. thing that he did and everything that he He said that standing on the steps of preached. I got just a glimpse of that in St. Peter’s and introducing the leaders of being with him for those ten days in 1987.” that denomination to the Holy Father That extended encounter with the Holy “brought back memories of the divisions so Father led Etienne to return to the semi- early on in Irvington that were being healed nary. He was ordained in 1992. by the openness of the Holy Father.” A year after his ordination, Father Father Paul Etienne, pastor of Our Etienne was called to help with one more

Coat of arms This is the coat of ar ms CNS photo illustration for Pope John Paul II. It is distinguished by the crest’s two central symbols—the cross and capital M. The cross signifies the central mystery of Christianity— redemption. The M is for Mary and recalls the presence of the Blessed Virgin under the cross and her participation in redemption. Page 8 The Criterion Friday, April 8, 2005 Pope’s love of Divine Mercy celebrated in archdiocese

By Sean Gallagher services at St. Michael Church and spoke in a sermon about the connection between Pope John Paul II died shortly after the the devotion to Divine Mercy and the late celebration of the vigil Mass of the feast Pope John Paul II. of Divine Mercy was celebrated in his He explained how the devotion “grew Sean Gallagher Photos by presence. It is a feast that will always be out of mystical revelations” in the 1930s intimately connected to his pontificate. to St. Faustina Kowalska, a Mercy nun Just hours before he died, following an who lived in John Paul’s home 8 a.m. Mass at SS. Peter and Paul Archdiocese of Krakow, Poland. Cathedral in Indianapolis offered for the Msgr. Schaedel also explained the late ailing pope, Anchorite Sister Mary Ann pope’s central role in rehabilitating St. Schumann, who has promoted devotion to Faustina’s writings after the Vatican had Divine Mercy throughout the archdiocese, banned them in the 1950s. The ban had tearfully spoke of her thoughts regarding occurred due to a poor translation. the closeness of the pope’s grave condi- Archbishop Karol Wojtyla investigated tion to Divine Mercy Sunday. the writings and helped Vatican officials “I really think he will die on [the feast understand the meaning of the nun’s diary. of] Divine Mercy,” she said, “…and then Msgr. Schaedel reflected upon a pas- he will take us all into [Christ’s] mercy. If sage of St. Faustina’s diary, where she there’s anytime that we need mercy, we wrote, “As I was praying for Poland, I need it now.” heard the words, ‘I bear a special love for Following the same Mass at the cathe- Poland…From her will come forth the dral, St. Monica parishioner Steve spark that will prepare the world for my Dlugosz of Indianapolis, a longtime final coming.’ ” adorer of the Blessed Sacrament at the In reflecting upon the late pope’s life, Msgr. Joseph F. Schaedel, vicar general of the archdiocese, blesses a Divine Mercy image during a Divine Mercy Chapel at St. Michael the Msgr. Schaedel sought its meaning in part Divine Mercy celebration on April 3 at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Indianapolis. Archangel Parish in Indianapolis, spoke in in light of Divine Mercy. wonder at the widespread nature of the “He did not originate the message of the Eucharist, and he shared it with the surviving so many surgeries and an Divine Mercy devotion which started in God’s Divine Mercy,” the vicar general world in his compassion and his love. attempted assassination. Now he is show- relative obscurity. said. “Yet he reflected it. He was God’s “I think it’s just a tremendous grace ing God’s mercy in his life, offering his “Coming from humble upbringings for instrument, along with St. Faustina, to that God would allow him to die on the life, suffering… for the whole people.” both of them [the pope and St. Faustina],” spread it. day that was so important … ” In closing his sermon at the Divine Dlugosz said, “in a little part of the world “Pope John Paul II must have been part Pauline Father Simon Stefanowicz, Mercy service at St. Michael Church, that most people don’t even know [about], of that spark that came forth from Poland who ministers at the shrine of Our Lady Msgr. Schaedel exhorted his listeners to for them to achieve that level of greatness to prepare the world for the coming of of Czestochowa in the Archdiocese of carry on in their own lives the legacy of is beyond comprehension.” Christ,” Msgr. Schaedel said. “Today, we Krakow in Poland, was leading a mission Pope John Paul II and his love for Divine The next day, Catholics across the help him with our prayers.” focusing on Divine Mercy at St. Nicholas Mercy. archdiocese gathered to participate in ser- Sister Mary Ann spoke about the Holy Parish in Ripley County when the Holy “With Christ’s power, we will follow vices to celebrate the feast. At the same Father’s death before the service at St. Father passed away. his example to serve the human person time, they prayed for the repose of the late Michael Church. Three days before the pope’s death, he and the whole of mankind,” he said. “If pope’s soul and in gratitude for his life “Well, naturally [I was] sad,” she said, spoke in an interview with The Criterion we do that, then we will be part of that and ministry. “but since he entrusted his petrine min- about the importance of Divine Mercy to great legacy John Paul leaves behind. Monsignor Joseph F. Schaedel, vicar istry and the world to Divine Mercy, and John Paul. “For now, we commend him to the general and pastor of Holy Rosary Parish he exemplified this in his life, his activity, Calling him “the pope of mercy,” Divine Mercy of God. In his absence, we in Indianapolis, was the celebrant for the he took that mission from the Lord and Father Simon recounted how as a laborer entrust our Church to God’s mercy as during World War II he often prayed at the well. And in that Divine Mercy, like John Jane Maher, a tomb of St. Faustina, which was in a Paul, we are not afraid!” † member of church along the route he would walk Pauline St. Monica from his home to the factory where he Father Simon Parish in worked. Stefanowicz, Indianapolis, Later, as a priest, Father Simon said, he who minis- bows her head nurtured a devotion to Divine Mercy, ters at the in prayer during especially seeking to grow his trust in shrine of Our a Divine Mercy Jesus. Lady of service on April As the bishop of Rome, his love for Czestochowa 3 at St. Michael Divine Mercy was reflected in his 1980 in the the Archangel encyclical “Dives in misericordia” (Rich Archdiocese Church in in Mercy), where he described Jesus of Krakow in Indianapolis. Christ as “the inexhaustible source of mercy” and “the definitive incarnation of Poland, gives mercy, its living sign” (#93). a presenta- Father Simon, who before the reforms tion on March of the Second Vatican Council was 30 during a ordained to minor orders by the late Holy mission Father when he was an auxiliary bishop in focused on the Archdiocese of Krakow, also spoke Divine Mercy about the significance of the suffering at St. leading up to his death happening so close Nicholas to Divine Mercy Sunday. Parish in “He [was] the pope of mercy,” Father Ripley Simon said, “by his life, trusting Jesus, County.

A-1 Glass Block, Inc. Roadways Parking Lots KILLYBEGS Replacement Basement Industrial Irish Shop Windows Cart Paths FIRST COMMUNION Veils Installed With Commercial Tennis Courts Jewelry Air Vents Rosaries Mention First Communion boxes The Criterion CONFIRMATION Receive 10% Off GLOBE Crosses 10-year limited warranty Trinity knots Fully insured ASPHALT PAVING Rosary boxes Licensed contractor CO. INC. Distributor For 6445 E. 30th St. Nora Plaza Call for free Indianapolis, IN 46219 M–Fri 10–6 1300 E. 86th St. estimates 317-568-4344 Sat 10–5 Indianapolis, IN (located between College & Westfield) 6111 E. Washington St. A Full Service Asphalt Paving 317-846-9449 317-359-9072 • Fax 317-359-9075 Contractor And A Family Tradition 1-800-289-8970 In Central Indiana Since 1931 The Criterion Friday, April 8, 2005 Page 9 Pope had special connection with youth, young adults

By Brandon A. Evans turning to the upcoming World Youth One of the constant themes in the life Day celebration this August in Cologne, of Pope John Paul II was his loving con- Germany. It is a festival instituted by CNS file photo nection to the youth of the world—and Pope John Paul II and many youth like to the way that they loved him back. go to pray with the pope. Young people loved the Holy Father Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein is and he loved them, said Archbishop leading a group of young people on a Daniel M. Buechlein, citing World Youth World Youth Day pilgrimage in August. Day pilgrimages attended by millions of “It’s going to be a way for Catholic youth and young adults during the [youth and young adults] all over the 26 years of his papacy. world to mourn the death of our Holy “I think that youth are attracted to Father, but also to rejoice that the Church someone who they can be confident is a goes on,” Father Meyer said. person of integrity and someone who can It will also be a chance for youth to be trusted,” the archbishop said. “They just greet the new pope. naturally connected to him. I think it’s that “I certainly hope that youth embrace plus [the fact that] he loved them, and that future popes with the same degree of love of his radiated wherever he went.” love that they have embraced Pope John “He had a special relationship with Paul,” Father Robeson said. “In a sense, youth because he took their contributions John Paul II has set a standard of love for to the Church seriously,” said Father youth that future popes will be able to Robert Robeson, director of the arch- carry on. diocesan Office of Youth and Young “As Catholics, the pope is our spiritual Adult Ministry. leader and our father—and regardless of “He was not afraid to challenge youth. who fills that seat, we are bound to love He was not afraid to call them to a higher him, to pray for him and to respect his level of holiness,” Father Robeson said of teaching authority,” he said. the late pontiff. “He challenged them out Father Meyer said that the death of the of love.” pope will affect young people because he “Youth love to be challenged and was such a father figure to them—and encouraged,” said Father Jonathan their way of relating to the hierarchy. Meyer, associate director of the Office of “We will miss JPII,” Thomas said, Youth and Young Adult Ministry. “This “but we know that the next pope will be man was alive with the power of the guided by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Holy Spirit.” Father’s death reminds us that ‘the gates But, Father Meyer said, the pope was of hell shall not prevail against the also a child at heart—and someone who Church.’ was able to excite young people and “Although at first I was distraught in relate to them. the dying days of the Holy Father, I am Zac Karanovich, a sophomore at now at peace,” Thomas said. “I rejoice in Marian College in Indianapolis, said that the wonderful ways that God used JPII as while we’ve had good popes in the past, his instrument.” With the help of young people, Pope John Paul II moves along on a rolling platform as he arrives to “John Paul was different. He was a lov- One of those ways in which the pope celebrate the final Mass at the 2002 World Youth Day in Toronto. Despite his physical limitations, the ing man, period. No one could argue that. was an instrument was through his pro- pope in the last two years made six foreign trips, visiting nine countries and was set to visit Slovakia His teachings were from the heart and lific writings, which will be studied into in September. from God. And he knew how to convey the distant future. that to the youth.” “We have not even begun to scratch Aaron Thomas, a freshman at Marian the surface of this man who was a College and seminarian with the archdio- philosopher and a scholar and a theolo- cese, said, “The Holy Father has given gian,” Father Meyer said. me hope for the future—despite dark and “Each time I read something he has dreary circumstances—and [the] courage written, I am virtually moved to tears,” Got to be a Catholic, even when Catholic Father Robeson said. “He has a way of teachings may not be popular in secular capturing and expressing the truth of culture.” Christ’s message in a way that leads me Father Meyer said that the pope had a closer to God. After reading his encycli- Questions? way of not just showing people what cals, I just want to spend time praying. I Christ’s teachings are, but also of illumi- know many people under the age of nating the reasons for those teachings. 40 who just can’t get enough of John Find the answers in the He said that he heard someone in a Paul II’s writings.” news story say that young people are Because of the electronic age, the late new, 2005 edition of the drawn to Pope John Paul II, but do not Holy Father has left audio and visual agree with his teaching. Father Meyer recordings for future generations. Directory and Yearbook said that he disagrees—the young people Thomas said that he has a CD with a for the Archdiocese of who are regular Mass attendees that he recording of the late pope on it. When- has known are in love not just with John ever he listens to it, he said, it sounds Indianapolis. Paul II but also with the teachings that like the pope is talking directly to him. are bound to him. “Perhaps this is why so many young Thomas said that when the pope fell people love the Holy Father so dearly,” ust off the presses, the new direc- ill last week, he and other students at the he said. “They are drawn to him because Jtory contains up-to-date informa- Bishop Bruté House of Formation at in his life he saw into each soul he tion about parishes, pastors, parish Marian College organized all night ado- encountered and loved it. staff, schools, school staff, religious ration of the Blessed Sacrament. “In his death, the youth have rallied education staff, archdiocesan adminis- “Even in his dying, the pope brought around him because he’s not just the pope, tration, offices and agencies, telephone numbers, so many people, so many young people, but their father,” Thomas said. “The same Mass times, addresses, e-mail addresses, photos of and biographical to love the Lord, to draw closer to him, is [true] with me. He has been the greatest information about pastors, parish life coordinators, religious women to trust in Jesus,” he said. inspiration in my life. He has truly been and men ministering in the archdiocese, Catholic chaplaincies, The thoughts of many young people my father. I will always lovingly call him hospitals, colleges and other institutions. around the world are probably also by his name, ‘Papa mío.’ ” † • More than 300 pages of information you can use. • Products and services offered by 88 advertisers. • The resource for finding your way around the local Church. When you want results, • Still only $22.50 ($3.95 shipping and handling). Order Today! Please send _____ copies of the Archdiocesan Directory and Yearbook at $22.50 per copy, plus $3.95 S&H. you need an ad in Name ______Address ______

City/State/Zip ______TThhee CCrriitteerriioonn ! Telephone ______Enclosed is my check in the amount of $______Or charge my: ❏ Visa ❏MasterCard Account No. ______

Indiana’s Largest Weekly Newspaper Exp. Date ______Signature______Make check payableto: Criterion Press, Inc. Call 236-1572 to advertise! Mail check and order form to: Criterion Press, Inc., P.O. Box 1717, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1717 Page 10 The Criterion Friday, April 8, 2005 Pope’s funeral scheduled on April 8 at St. Peter’s Square VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Pope John began their discussions only after they had The body of Pope Paul II’s funeral liturgy will be celebrated taken an oath called for in a 1996 apos- John Paul II lies in at 10 a.m. on April 8 in St. Peter’s Square. tolic constitution, “Universi Dominici Clementine Hall at the

Interment will follow in the grotto of Gregis,” written by Pope John Paul. CNS photo from Reuters Vatican on April 3. St Peter’s Basilica, members of the College In the oath, they promised to follow the The pope died on of Cardinals announced on April 4. guidelines of the 1996 document “and to April 2. The decision was made by 65 cardinals maintain rigorous secrecy with regard to who were in Rome at the time. all matters in any way related to the elec- The cardinals also decided that the tion of the Roman pontiff or those which, pope’s body would be moved from the by their very nature, during the vacancy of Apostolic Palace into St. Peter’s Basilica the Apostolic See, call for the same for public viewing later that evening. secrecy.” Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro- According to the guidelines, in the Valls said that, until the pope’s funeral, coming days the cardinals also must: St. Peter’s Basilica would close only from • Ensure that a commission of their 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. for cleaning or when there members gets the Domus Sanctae were no more people in line to pay their Marthae, a Vatican residence, ready for the last respects. cardinals to live there during the conclave. Pope John Paul “had left no indication” • Ensure that the Sistine Chapel is pre- of where he wanted to be buried so the pared for use by the cardinals for election cardinals decided to have him laid to rest of a new pope. with other popes in the basilica, the • Assign two clerics “known for their spokesman said. sound doctrine, wisdom and moral author- For years, there had been widespread ity” to prepare meditations for the cardi- speculation that Pope John Paul wanted to nals on problems facing the Church and be buried in Poland, his homeland. on choosing the next pope. Pope John Paul probably will be • Approve the expenditures associated interred in the small grotto chapel where with the death of the pope. Blessed Pope John XXIII was buried until • Read any documents that the pope his beatification in 2000, the spokesman may have left for the College of said. Blessed Pope John’s body was Cardinals. moved into St. Peter’s Basilica. • Arrange for the destruction of the The spokesman said the funeral Mass papal fisherman’s ring and the lead seal would be celebrated by Cardinal Joseph that had marked Pope John Paul II’s Ratzinger, dean of the College of letters. Cardinals, and concelebrated by other car- • Assign rooms in the Domus Sanctae dinals and the patriarchs of the Eastern Marthae to cardinals by lot. Catholic Churches. • Determine the day and hour that vot- Navarro-Valls also said the 65 cardinals ing for a new pope will begin. †

Calcutta, India, to praise the generosity of Millennium”) called for a “new sense of The Nazi blitzkrieg of Poland on Sept. 1, POPE Mother Teresa. Whether at home or on the mission” to take Gospel values into every 1939, left the country in ruins and opened a continued from page 1 road, he aimed to be the Church’s most area of social and economic life. new chapter in Wojtyla’s life. During the active evangelizer, trying to open every cor- Over the years, public reaction to the German occupation, he helped set up an The first non-Italian pope in 455 years, ner of human society to Christian values. pope’s message and his decisions was underground university and the clandestine Pope John Paul became a spiritual protago- Within the Church, the pope was just as mixed. He was hailed as a daring social “Rhapsodic Theater.” At the same time, he nist in two global transitions: the fall of vigorous and no less controversial. He dis- critic, chided as the “last socialist,” cheered found work in a stone quarry and a chemi- European communism, which began in his ciplined dissenting theologians, excommu- by millions and caricatured as an inquisitor. cal factory—experiences he later analyzed native Poland in 1989, and the passage to nicated self-styled “traditionalists” and The pope never paid much attention to his in poems and papal writings. the third millennium of Christianity. upheld unpopular Church positions like the popularity ratings. Walking home one day after working a The start of the new millennium brought pronouncement against birth control. At the Pope John Paul’s personality was power- double shift at the Solvay chemical plant, a surge in global terrorism, which the pope same time, he pushed Catholic social teach- ful and complicated. In his prime, he could he was struck by a truck and hospitalized saw as a threat to interfaith harmony. He ing into relatively new areas such as work a crowd and banter with young and for 12 days—the first in a lifelong series of invited world religions to renounce violence bioethics, international economics, racism old, but spontaneity was not his specialty. physical hardships. and the logic of “religious warfare.” He and ecology. As a manager, he set directions but often Wojtyla continued work after he entered condemned the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist He looked frail but determined as he led left policy details to top aides. Krakow’s clandestine theological seminary attacks as “inhuman,” but urged the United the Church through a heavy program of His reaction to the mushrooming clerical in 1942. He had tried to join the Carmelite States to react with restraint, and he sharply soul-searching events during the Great sex abuse scandal in the United States in order, but reportedly was turned away with criticized the U.S.-led war against Iraq in Jubilee of the Year 2000, fulfilling a dream 2001-02 underscored his governing style: the comment: “You are destined for greater 2003. of his pontificate. His long-awaited pilgrim- He suffered deeply, prayed at length and things.” As pastor of the universal Church, he jet- age to the Holy Land that year took him to made brief but forceful statements empha- He was ordained four years later, just as ted around the world, taking his message to the roots of the faith and dramatically illus- sizing the gravity of such a sin by priests. the new communist regime was taking aim 129 countries in 104 trips outside Italy, trated the Church’s improved relations with He convened a Vatican-U.S. summit to at the Polish Church. He soon left for two including seven to the United States. A lin- Jews. He also presided over an unprece- address the problem, but let his Vatican years of study at Rome’s Angelicum guist by training, he surprised and pleased dented public apology for the sins of advisers and U.S. Church leaders work out University, where he earned a doctorate in millions by communicating with them in Christians during darker chapters of Church the answers. In the end, he approved ethics, writing his thesis on St. John of the their own languages—which made it all the history, such as the Inquisition and the changes that made it easier to “defrock” Cross, a 16th-century mystic. more poignant when his speaking abilities Crusades. abusive priests. When he returned to Poland in 1948, declined in later years. In a landmark document in 2001, the The pope was essentially a private per- Father Wojtyla spent a year in a rural At times, he used the world as a pulpit: pope laid out his vision of the Church’s son, with a deep spiritual life—something parish, then was assigned to a Krakow in Africa, to decry hunger; in Hiroshima, future. The apostolic letter “Novo Millennio not easily translated by the media. Yet in parish, where he devoted most of his time Japan, to denounce the arms race; in Ineunte” (“At the Beginning of the New earlier years, this pope seemed made for to young people—teaching religion, playing modern media, and his pontificate was cap- soccer and leading philosophical discus- tured in some lasting images. Who can for- sions. get the pope wagging his finger sternly at a He earned another doctorate in moral Sandinista priest in Nicaragua, hugging a theology and began lecturing at Lublin young AIDS victim in California or hud- University in 1953. He wrote numerous CNS photo by ArturoCNS photo by Mari dling in a prison-cell conversation with his articles and several books on ethics, but still would-be assassin, Mehmet Ali Agca? found time for hiking and camping in the nearby Carpathian Mountains. Early years His appointment as auxiliary bishop of Pope John Paul’s early life was marked Krakow—Poland’s youngest bishop—in by personal hardship and by Poland’s suf- 1958 caught him canoeing with friends. He fering during World War II. traveled to Warsaw to formally hear the Karol Jozef Wojtyla was born on news, but was back on the water the same May 18, 1920, in Wadowice, a small town day. near Krakow, in southern Poland. His mother died when he was 9, and three years Krakow and Rome later he lost his only brother to scarlet fever. The future pope rose quickly through the When he was 20, his father died, and ranks in Krakow, becoming archbishop in friends said Wojtyla knelt for 12 hours in 1964. During the Second Vatican Council, prayer and sorrow at his bedside. he helped draft documents on religious lib- Remembered in high school as a bright, erty and the Church in the modern world, athletic youth with a contemplative side, and in 1967 Pope Paul VI named him a car- Wojtyla excelled in religion, philosophy and dinal—the second-youngest in the Church. languages. In 1938, he began working He traveled widely, preached Pope toward a philosophy degree at the Paul’s Lenten retreat in 1976 and took a Pope John Paul II greets Mother Teresa at the Vatican in an undated file photo. The pope presided at University of Krakow, joining speech and leading role in the world Synod of Bishops. the ceremony for her beatification on Oct. 19, 2003 in St. Peter’s Square. drama clubs and writing his own poetry. continued on page 11 The Criterion Friday, April 8, 2005 Page 11

But despite his rapid ecclesiastical instead of predicting the end of the world, ascent, Cardinal Wojtyla remained a virtual as many had believed, described a period of unknown to many in the Church—until the suffering for the Church and the shooting of CNS file photo evening of Oct. 16, 1978, when his election a bishop in white—a figure the pope as pope was announced to some 200,000 believed was linked to the attempt on his people gathered in St. Peter’s Square and to life. the world at large. Soon after the shooting, the pope dis- Pope John Paul set his papal style on that pelled worries that it would slow him down first night. Instead of merely blessing the for long. He went on the road about four crowd, he broke the “rules” and gave a times a year, eventually logging more than heartfelt talk from the central balcony of 700,000 miles. St. Peter’s. To the consternation of aides, he In Catholic countries, the trips were his told the world that he felt “afraid to take on way of strengthening ties between the local this appointment,” but had done so in “a Church and Rome. His 14 visits to Africa spirit of obedience” to Christ and Christ’s were part of a successful strategy of Church mother. expansion in the Third World—in numbers He described himself as a pope “from a of Catholics and indigenous clergy, the faraway nation”—but won over the mostly African Church doubled during Pope John Italian throng in the square by speaking Paul’s term—and in 1994 the pope called their language. He left them cheering an African synod to celebrate the progress loudly. After the final years of Pope Paul VI and map out new pastoral strategies. In pre- and the brief, fragile term of Pope John dominantly non-Christian places like Asia Paul I, this pope seemed to promise new and North Africa, he evangelized gently, energy for the Church. stressing the common values shared by Christianity and other faiths, yet insisting A fast pace that Jesus Christ alone can be seen as The pope’s reign began like a cyclone. savior. He set off for Mexico and the Dominican The pope’s U.S. trips provided some his- Republic three months after his election and toric and emotional moments. In 1979, he waded into a crucial debate about the became the first pope to be received at the Church’s social and political role in Latin White House. During the same visit, America. On the way, he held the first of U.S. Mercy Sister Theresa Kane gave a many papal press conferences—aboard his speech to the pontiff asking that women be Rabbi Michael Melchior looks on as Pope John Paul II prays at the Western Wall, the holy site of chartered jumbo jet. allowed to participate in “all ministries of Judaism, in Jerusalem on March 26, 2000. That same year, 1979, he met with the the Church.” Soviet foreign minister; published an Throughout his papacy, however, the control” and “autocratic methods” in the warned of a growing separation between encyclical on redemption; strongly reaf- pope insisted that the all-male priesthood Church. The Vatican accused the theolo- theology and philosophy, with dire conse- firmed celibacy for priests; visited his was part of God’s plan, and he formalized gians of forming a pressure group and set- quences for society and the Church. Polish homeland; named 14 new cardinals; that position in a 1994 apostolic letter. ting themselves up as a parallel teaching made a major ecumenical visit to the His trips to Denver in 1993 and Toronto authority. Vatican II Orthodox in Turkey; and had a Swiss-born in 2002 for World Youth Day sparked mas- In the 1990s, similar challenges were If many inside the Church saw the pope theologian, Father Hans Küng, disciplined sive pilgrimages of young people in North posed in petition drives by dissenting as a hard-liner, he saw himself as a recon- for questioning papal authority. America. In 1995, addressing the Catholics in Europe and North America. ciler between the liberal and conservative It was the start of a remarkably personal U.N. General Assembly, he urged the orga- To counter doctrinal confusion, the pope wings of the Church. Part of his job, he said papacy. The pope regularly drew crowds of nization to give new moral meaning to the was continually drawing—or highlight- in 1989, was to introduce “an element of more than a million people, and his popu- phrase “family of nations.” ing—the line on difficult moral questions. balance” in the implementation of larity was satirically compared to that of a In a lengthy series of audience talks in Vatican II reforms. rock star. Church tensions 1984, he bolstered Church arguments He convened a 1985 Synod of Bishops, But on May 13, 1981, an assailant’s bul- The issue of dissent brought out the against artificial birth control. which strongly endorsed the council’s deci- lets put his pontificate on hold. The pope, determined side of Pope John Paul—espe- In the 1990s, he urged the world’s bish- sions but also said some “abuses” should be who was circling St. Peter’s Square in an cially when it involved theologians. ops to step up their fight against abortion corrected. open jeep during a weekly audience, suf- During the 1980s, the Vatican’s doctrinal and euthanasia, saying the practices The pope zeroed in on liturgy in a 1989 fered serious intestinal wounds. He was congregation, headed by Cardinal Joseph amounted to a modern-day “slaughter of the apostolic letter, saying the period of major rushed to surgery at a Rome hospital, and Ratzinger, cracked down on several theolo- innocents.” Not everyone agreed, but his liturgical changes was over. He urged bish- his recovery took several months, with a gians whose teachings were deemed incom- sharpened critique of these and other “anti- ops to root out “outlandish innovations” second hospitalization for a blood infection. patible with Church positions. U.S. Father family” policies helped make him Time such as profane readings in place of Mehmet Ali Agca, a Turk who had Charles Curran, for one, was stripped of his magazine’s choice for Man of the Year in Scriptural texts, invented rites and inappro- threatened the pope in 1979, was arrested in permission to teach at The Catholic 1994. priate songs. He said the roles of priests and St. Peter’s Square and sentenced to life in University of America in 1986 because of In 1986, a Vatican document reiterated lay people must not be confused—even prison for the shooting. He later claimed his views on sexual morality and divorce. moral opposition to homosexual acts and with the dramatic shortage of priests in that Bulgarian agents had helped plan and Advocates of liberation theology, like said homosexuality was an “objective disor- some areas. And he repeated his long-stand- carry out the attack, but his alleged accom- Brazil’s Franciscan Father Leonardo Boff, der.” It drew strong criticism, especially in ing warning against replacing individual plices were acquitted in a second trial. The also found their writings closely monitored. the United States. In 1987, a wide-ranging confession with general absolution. In 1994, pope publicly forgave his assailant, and in In 1984, the Vatican warned theologians Vatican document on bioethics said in vitro after years of study, the pope approved local 1983 he visited Agca in a Rome prison cell against adopting Marxist concepts such as fertilization, surrogate motherhood and use of altar girls. for a quiet meeting of reconciliation. In “class struggle.” Pope John Paul had seen embryo manipulation were morally wrong. Self-styled traditionalists like the late 2000, with the pope’s support, Italy par- how Marxism worked in Poland and did not Clearly, the pope expected Catholics to French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre doned Agca and returned him to Turkey. trust it; moreover, he was wary of any ideo- take these rules to heart. During his 1987 thought the pope was too liberal. When Pope John Paul credited Mary for having logical contamination of the Gospel. The U.S. trip, the pope said it was a “grave Archbishop Lefebvre ordained bishops protected him, and on the first anniversary pope also kept a keen eye on the social error” to think dissent from Church teach- against papal orders in 1988, thus provok- of the shooting he made a thanksgiving pil- activity of religious orders, a concern that ings is “totally compatible with being a ing a schism, the pope excommunicated grimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of led him to take the unprecedented step of ‘good Catholic’ and poses no obstacles to him. At the same time, he brought some of Fatima in Portugal. There, he escaped naming his own delegate to govern the the reception of sacraments.” the archbishop’s followers back to the fold injury when a knife-wielding, illicitly Jesuit order from 1981 to 1983. In one of the most ambitious projects of with special concessions, including use of ordained priest lunged at him. These and other policies led 163 Euro- his pontificate, he presided over publication the preconciliar Tridentine-rite Mass. Later in his pontificate, the pope pub- pean theologians to denounce in 1989 what of a new universal catechism in 1992, The pope insisted on priestly and reli- lished the “third secret” of Fatima, which they called “exaggerated hierarchical aimed at restoring clarity in Church teach- gious identity, in things big and small. Early ing. It became a best seller in many coun- in his term, he made clear that religious and tries, including the United States. clergy should wear their habits and collars In his landmark encyclical the next while in Rome. “Catholic identity” became year, “Veritatis Splendor” (The Splendor a rallying cry.

CNS photo Arturo Mari of Truth), the pope delivered a wake-up In 1990, the pope issued norms to guar- call that went beyond Church member- antee orthodoxy and a Catholic perspective ship. In exploring the fundamentals of in Church-run universities. moral theology, the pope said the Collegiality, a main thrust of Vatican II, Church’s teachings were urgently needed was a thorny issue for Pope John Paul. He in a society that he described as absorbed tended to listen to the advice of his fellow in self-gratification and drifting away bishops then make his own decisions. He from universal moral norms. Soon after- brought bishops together frequently in syn- ward, he began a public crusade against ods that shored up traditional Church teach- parts of a U.N. draft document on popula- ing—on the family, penance, priests and tion and development, saying it promoted laity. abortion, contraception and a mistaken Disappointment with the synod format view of sexuality and the family. This use led some, like Italian Cardinal Carlo Maria of the papal pulpit deeply affected interna- Martini of Milan in 1999, to suggest that a tional debate on the issues. Church-wide council was needed to deal His 1995 encyclical, “Evangelium with lingering controversies in the Church. Vitae,” (The Gospel of Life) not only con- In Rome and on the road, the pope condemned the growing acceptance of abor- stantly encouraged lay Catholics to live the tion and euthanasia, but also carried a faith in their everyday lives. He favored strongly worded argument against capital zealous lay movements such as Opus Dei punishment. In 1998, the encyclical and in 2002 canonized its founder, Pope John Paul II visits the tomb of his parents in Wadowice, Poland, in 1991. “Fides et Ratio” (Faith and Reason) continued on page 12 Page 12 The Criterion Friday, April 8, 2005

The pope found a major ally in Mikhail Gorbachev, the POPE first Soviet president to make serious concessions to the continued from page 11 Church, and the two men made history when they met at the

Vatican in 1989. The Vatican later moved to establish hierar- CNS photo from Reuters Msgr. Josemaría Escrivá, in the face of some criticism. The chies and diplomatic ties throughout the former Soviet pope also found new models of Catholic virtue in nearly empire. every part of the globe, declaring more saints than all his In his 2005 autobiographical book, Memory and Identity: predecessors combined. Conversations Between Millenniums, the pope described the Pope John Paul’s pronouncements on women were ideological struggles of the 20th century as a battle between deeply affected by his devotion to Mary. His apostolic letter good and evil fought on a global stage, offering valuable on women in 1988, using Mary as an example, affirmed lessons for the new millennium. their equal social and cultural dignity with men, but restated He said he was worried, however, that the hopes kindled the ban on women priests. He asked for economic equality by the collapse of communism—for a Europe that could between men and women, but also for programs that would “rediscover its soul” and reunite around “human and allow women to stay at home and care for children rather Christian values”—were being frustrated by anti-religious than seek jobs. trends across the continent. The pope was particularly upset that the new European Constitution signed in late 2004 Pleas for social justice made no mention of Christianity’s cultural, historical and Those who pegged Pope John Paul as a conservative spiritual role. often were surprised at his repeated appeals for social and Ecumenical tensions also clouded the horizon in post- economic justice and his warnings about globalization. His communist Europe. Disputes over property and evangelizing social teaching was distilled in three major encyclicals: methods arose among local Catholic and Orthodox • “Laborem Exercens” (On Human Work) in 1981 criti- Churches in the former Soviet bloc. The pope’s decision to cized the abuses of a “rigid capitalism” that values profit create four new dioceses in Russia in 2002 brought over the well-being of workers, but said Marxism’s class Catholic-Orthodox dialogue to a standstill and ended realis- struggle was not the answer. tic hopes of traveling to Moscow for a meeting with Russian • “Sollicitudo Rei Socialis” (On Social Concerns) in Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II. Still, the pope pressed on with 1987 warned of a widening gap between rich and poor a series of historic visits to predominantly Orthodox coun- countries and condemned the transfer of the East-West tries, including Romania, Georgia, Greece, Bulgaria and conflict to the Third World. Ukraine, where he urged mutual forgiveness over past • “Centesimus Annus” (The 100th Year) in 1991 called wrongs between Christian Churches. for reform of the free-market system in the wake of com- Pope John Paul’s ecumenical and interreligious legacy munism’s collapse, denouncing massive poverty in the was built largely on his personal gestures. In 1979, he trav- Third World and consumerism in the West. eled to Turkey to meet Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarch The pope underlined these texts on his trips, taking a Dimitrios I and jointly announce the establishment of an detour into a local shantytown in Latin America or chid- international dialogue commission. ing the world for neglecting Africa’s drought-stricken He became the first pontiff to visit a Lutheran church, in Sahel region. He founded papal development foundations 1983, on the 500th anniversary of the birth of Martin Luther. Pope John Paul II waves to the faithful during a final service in to show that the Vatican practiced what it preached. Later, he hosted 150 world religious leaders in Assisi, Italy, Zadar, Croatia, on June 9, 2003. The pontiff’s five-day visit included While insisting that priests steer clear of partisan politi- at a “prayer summit” for peace. an outdoor Mass in Dubrovnik and the beatification of Sister Maria cal activities, the pope did not expect Church leaders to be Visiting a mosque in Damascus, Syria, in 2001, he Petkovic, founder of the Daughters of Mercy. mute on social questions. In 1980, for example, he became the first pontiff to enter a Muslim place of worship. endorsed the Brazilian bishops’ call for radical social In early 2002, determined to offer a united spiritual The Vatican went in the red under his pontificate, managed reforms, saying that if changes were not made, the door to response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the to cover operating expenses through cutbacks and appeals to violent revolution would be opened. United States, the pope led a “peace train” of more than the worldwide Church, and finally began turning small sur- Pope John Paul was a constant critic of war and an 200 religious leaders back to Assisi, where participants con- pluses in the mid-1990s. The pope repeatedly stressed that advocate of disarmament. His aides successfully headed demned all violence in the name of religion. the “riches of the Vatican” was a popular myth. off a shooting war between Chile and Argentina in 1978, While continually promoting areas of interreligious The fund-raising efforts were hurt by the Vatican bank’s the one example of direct papal mediation. The pope’s cooperation, including pro-life issues, the pope insisted that involvement in the collapse of Italy’s Banco Ambrosiano in countless pleas for negotiation went largely unheeded, dialogue cannot interfere with the Church’s duty to evange- 1982. While denying any wrongdoing, the Vatican made a however, in places like central Africa, the Persian Gulf lize. That was a main point of the controversial Vatican goodwill payment of about $240 million to creditors of the and the Balkans. document, “Dominus Iesus,” which said the Church must failed bank. An Italian attempt to indict Vatican bank offi- He was also a tireless defender of human rights and, announce to all people “the necessity of conversion to Jesus cials, including its former president, U.S. Archbishop Paul first among them, religious rights. During a trip to Cuba Christ.” Issued during the Holy Year 2000, it said non- Marcinkus, was ruled unconstitutional. in 1998, he appealed for a wider Church role in society, Christians can be saved, but warned against attributing a While Pope John Paul conducted a highly personal and he stood up publicly for Catholics in places like divine origin or saving quality to other religions. papacy, his own personality was not a simple one to under- China, Vietnam and Sudan. The pope’s unprecedented visit in 1986 to a Rome syna- stand. Those closest to him said the key was a deep spiritual On the pope’s initiative, in 2004 the Vatican published gogue—when he called Jews “elder brothers” in faith— life, from which he drew his energy. He prayed everywhere a 523-page compendium of Catholic social teachings. marked a breakthrough in Catholic-Jewish relations. he went—morning, noon and night—and recommended In 1994, he approved Vatican diplomatic relations with prayer as the first and basic Christian response to problems. Religious freedom and ecumenical trials the state of Israel. During his Holy Land pilgrimage in In the later years of his pontificate, the pope gave two The pope kept up the Vatican’s “Ostpolitik” of negotiat- 2000, his historic prayer at the Western Wall, Judaism’s book-length interviews and published two volumes of auto- ing with communist countries, winning gradual concessions most sacred spot, touched Jews all over the world. biographical reflections that offered a glimpse into the per- on Church freedom. But the pope was not always so diplo- At the pope’s request, in 1998 the Vatican issued an sonal decisions he made along his spiritual path. He recalled matic, especially during trips to his homeland, where he unprecedented document on the Holocaust, expressing how his priestly vocation cut him off from friends but hammered the human rights theme and embarrassed the repentance for centuries of anti-Jewish discrimination but opened up a whole new source of inner strength. regime. Many in Poland said the papal visit in 1979 was the defending the wartime Pope Pius XII; it drew mixed reac- In 2002, in a typical blend of the traditional and the inno- spiritual spark that lit the fire of reform. The Polish labor tion from Jews. Pope John Paul’s insistence on beatifying vative, he added five new “Mysteries of Light” to the rosary movement Solidarity was formed in 1980, was forced Pope Pius IX, who raised a Jewish boy Catholic because he and proclaimed a year dedicated to its recital. underground and later emerged to lead the first noncommu- was “baptized” by a maid, also drew Jewish consternation. He also gave universal Church recognition to the Divine nist government in 1989. The rest of Eastern Europe soon Other official dialogues proceeded slowly. In his 1995 Mercy prayer movement and canonized the Polish nun who followed suit. encyclical, “Ut Unum Sint” (That All May Be One), the founded it. In his continuing effort to revitalize the roots of pope asked theologians and leaders of other Churches to the faith, he declared a “Year of the Eucharist” from help him find a way of exercising papal primacy that could October 2004 to October 2005. make it a ministry of unity to all Christians. The pope accepted suffering as an opportunity for spiri- An Anglican-Catholic document in 1999 outlined a “col- tual growth and wrote a deeply philosophical letter on the

CNS photo from Reuters legial” model of papal authority as potentially acceptable to subject in 1984. His own hospital stays—including opera- both Churches. But the Vatican’s doctrinal congregation tions for an intestinal tumor in 1992, a separated shoulder in issued its own paper, saying that, in the end, only the pope 1993, a broken thigh bone in 1994, an appendectomy in has the authority to make changes in his universal ministry. 1996, and flu and a tracheotomy in February—reinforced In 1999, Catholics and Lutherans approved an agree- his sympathy for the suffering of others. Wherever he went, ment on the doctrine of justification, resolving the main he made sure that the front row was reserved for the sick doctrinal dispute that led to the Protestant Reformation. But and disabled in his audience. the Vatican insisted that it was still too early for shared Unlike his predecessors, he aged in public and made no Eucharist. attempt to hide his infirmities, taking on what his aides called a ministry of suffering. Writing to the world’s elderly Mark on the Church in 1999, the pope spoke movingly about the limitations he Pope John Paul changed the face of the Catholic hierar- experienced in old age, but said: “At the same time, I find chy, naming most of the active bishops in the world and great peace in thinking of the time when the Lord will call more than 97 percent of voting-age cardinals. In a few me: from life to life!” places, his appointees were unpopular, but the pope did not Young people always seemed to heighten the pope’s back down. As he told Catholics in the Netherlands in 1985, energy and good humor, even as his health and stamina “In the final analysis, the pope has to make the decisions.” failed in later years. In Bern, Switzerland, in 2004, he The pope gave the College of Cardinals a more active delighted some 13,000 cheering youths when he struggled role in Church government, asking their collective advice on successfully to pronounce his speech—after chasing away major administrative issues and on pastoral topics like abor- an aide who wanted to read it for him. tion, and convening them in 2001 for a far-reaching look at Beyond the mark he leaves on the institutional Church, the Church’s future. He internationalized the Roman Curia, Pope John Paul will no doubt be remembered by many as replacing many Italians as department heads but keeping a very human pontiff—one who hiked in the mountains in Pope John Paul II lays his hands on the head of a priest ordained them in most middle-management positions. He approved his early years and who had to be wheeled to the altar in in St. Peter’s Square on May 14, 2000. The pope ordained 26 new new codes of canon law for the Eastern and Western later years, who traveled the globe to meet the people and priests for the Diocese of Rome during the service held on the Churches. tend his flock, and who lived each chapter of his papacy World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Pope John Paul’s term was dogged by money matters. before the eyes of the world. † The Criterion Friday, April 8, 2005 Page 13 Pope dies on April 2 after long struggle with illness

VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Pope John Father Stanley Pondo of Indianapolis, a Pope John Paul II Paul II died on April 2 after a long strug- diocesan priest pursuing graduate studies in is silhouetted gle with illness, ending a historic papacy canon law in Rome, was in the square against a sunny background in

of more than 26 years. when Pope John Paul’s death was CNS photo from Reuters The Vatican announced the pope’s announced. St. Peter’s Square death at 9:54 p.m. Rome time, two days The pope’s death left him feeling “sad as he arrives for after the pontiff suffered septic shock and and happy,” Father Pondo said. “John Mass on his heart failure brought on by a urinary tract Paul II has been the pope my whole adult 80th birthday infection. The pope died at 9:37 p.m., the life. He’s been my inspiration. I didn’t on May 18, 2000. Vatican said. enter the seminary until I was in my 30s, The Mass was Pope John Paul’s body was brought to and it was partly because of his influence. attended by some St. Peter’s Basilica for public viewing and ... I’m happy because I’m sure he’s in 8,000 priests from prayer on April 4, the Vatican said in a heaven now.” around the world. statement. Father Pablo Gadenz of Trenton, N.J., Vatican officials, Italy’s president and said he was sure the pope’s death would top politicians, ambassadors to the come that night or the next day, Divine Vatican, cardinals, bishops and even a Mercy Sunday, which the pope established dozen journalists were led into the as an annual devotion on the first Sunday Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace after Easter for the universal Church. on April 3 to pay their last respects. “We all feel like orphans now, but it’s a The ceremony followed a Mass time of grace, a time of faith,” Father attended by some 70,000 people in St. Gadenz said. “The Holy Spirit will guide Peter’s Square. the cardinals to choose a worthy successor Conscious and alert the day before his so we pray for whoever that might be.” death, the pope was able to concelebrate With the crowd estimated at 100,000 Mass in his papal apartment, the Vatican people, another prayer service began at said. He began slipping in and out of con- midnight and was led by Archbishop Paolo sciousness on the morning of April 2 and Sardi, an official in the Vatican Secretariat died that night, a Vatican spokesman said. of State, who said, “This is a holy night of Tens of thousands of faithful streamed vigil and prayer in memory of our beloved to St. Peter’s Square as the pope lay Pope John Paul.” dying, some staying all night in quiet and Cardinal Angelo Sodano, who had moving vigils, aware that there was little served as the pope’s secretary of state, cele- hope for his recovery. brated a memorial Mass for the pope on Shortly before his death, U.S. Cardinal April 3 in the square. Edmund C. Szoka led a candlelight prayer The cardinal said Pope John Paul had service in the packed square. spent his entire papacy promoting the “civ- “Like children, we draw close around ilization of love” against the forces of our beloved Holy Father, who taught us hatred in the world and had called the how to follow Jesus and how to love and Church to be a “house of mercy, to wel- person is approaching death, on the in St. Peter’s Square, and spent several serve the Church and the people,” come all those who need help, forgiveness evening of March 31, the Vatican said. It months in the hospital being treated for Cardinal Szoka said. and love.” was the pope who decided to be treated at abdominal wounds and a blood infection. “This is the gift we present to him as At the end of the Mass, a Vatican offi- the Vatican instead of being taken to the In later years, he suffered a dislocated he prepares to take his last journey,” the cial read the message the pope had pre- hospital, Navarro-Valls said. shoulder, a broken thigh bone, arthritis of cardinal said. “May the Madonna present pared for the midday recitation of the Cardinal Mario Francesco Pompedda, the knee and an appendectomy. He stopped him to her Son and obtain for him, “Regina Coeli.” who visited the dying pope, described the walking in public in 2003 and stopped cel- through her intercession, the reward “To humanity, which sometimes seems scene in the pope’s bedroom. Assisted by ebrating public liturgies in 2004. promised to the faithful servants of the lost and dominated by the power of evil, several doctors and his personal staff, the In recent years, the pope spoke with Gospel.” selfishness and fear, the risen Lord offers pontiff lay serenely on a bed in the middle increasing frequency about his age, his The pope’s death was announced in the gift of his love which forgives, recon- of his room, comforted by cushions, occa- failing health and death. He was deter- St. Peter’s Square after the prayer service. ciles and opens the spirit to hope once sionally opening his eyes in greeting to mined to stay at the helm of the Church, Cardinal Bernard F. Law, archpriest of again,” the pope had written. the handful of visitors allowed inside. but also said he was prepared to be called Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary Major and When the pope died, Vatican Radio At his last, poignant public appearance to the next life. former archbishop of Boston, was among interrupted regular programming and the at his apartment window on March 30, the “It is wonderful to be able to give one- the prelates standing outside on the steps radio’s program director, Jesuit Father pope greeted pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square self to the very end for the sake of the of St. Peter’s Basilica when the announce- Federico Lombardi, celebrated Mass in and tried in vain to speak to them. After kingdom of God. At the same time, I find ment was made. Latin. four minutes, he was wheeled from view, great peace in thinking of the time when Many in the crowd wept, and after a The home page of the Vatican website and the curtains of his apartment window the Lord will call me: from life to life,” he long applause the square was enveloped in was changed, replacing the usual drawing were drawn for the last time. said in a 1999 letter written to the world’s silent prayer. The bells of St. Peter’s of St. Peter’s Basilica with the emblem For more than a decade, the pope suf- elderly. Basilica tolled a steady death knell. used when the papacy is vacant: two fered from a neurological disorder “And so I often find myself saying,” “Dear brothers and sisters, at 9:37 this crossed keys under a partially closed believed to be Parkinson’s disease. As the the pope wrote, “with no trace of melan- evening our most beloved Holy Father “umbracullum,” an umbrella or canopy. pope’s health failed in recent months, choly, a prayer recited by priests after the John Paul II returned to the house of the The Italian Parliament lowered its flag many of his close aides said his physical celebration of the Eucharist: ‘In hora mor- Father. Let us pray for him,” Archbishop to half-staff after the pope’s death was decline, never hidden from public view, tis meae voca me, et iube me venire ad te’ Leonardo Sandri, a top official of the announced. offered a remarkable Christian witness of (‘At the hour of my death, call me and bid Vatican’s Secretariat of State, told the In Warsaw, the capital of the pope’s suffering. me come to you.’) This is the prayer of crowd. native Poland, the pope’s death was The pope’s death ends a history-making Christian hope.” Navarro-Valls later said, “The Holy marked by the tolling of church bells and pontificate of more than 26 years, one that In the hours before his death, prayers Father’s final hours were marked by the the sounding of air-raid sirens. On Polish dramatically changed the Church and left went up on the pope’s behalf from all over uninterrupted prayer of all those who were TV, several commentators were in tears as its mark on the world. Many observers the world, from China to the pope’s native assisting him in his pious death and by the they announced the pope’s death. consider Pope John Paul an unparalleled Poland, from Christians and non- choral participation in prayer of the thou- On April 3, the Vatican published the protagonist in the political and spiritual Christians. sands of faithful who, for many hours, had information contained on the official death events that shaped the modern age, from Rabbi Riccardo di Segni, the chief been gathered in St. Peter’s Square.” certificate signed by Dr. Renato Buzzonetti, the end of the Cold War to the start of the rabbi of Rome, came to St. Peter’s Square The spokesman said those at the pope’s the pope’s personal physician and head of third millennium. to pray, saying he wanted to offer “a sign bedside at the moment of his death the Vatican health service. For the Church, the pope’s death set in of participation” with the Church. included his personal secretaries, The cause of death was listed as “septic motion a period of official mourning and As the pope lay dying, journalists who Archbishop Stanislaw Dziwisz and Msgr. shock and irreversible cardiocirculatory reflection that will culminate in the elec- tried to enter the square were turned away Mieczyslaw Mokrzycki; Cardinal Marian collapse.” tion of his successor. unless they were coming to pray. The Jaworski, the Latin-rite archbishop of The 84-year-old Polish pontiff had been Pope John Paul’s funeral, expected to world’s media arrived in unprecedented Lviv, Ukraine, and a longtime personal hospitalized twice in recent weeks for be attended by world leaders from far and force, surrounding the Vatican with broad- friend of the pope; Polish Archbishop spasms of the larynx, and in late February wide, was scheduled to take place four to casting trucks and film crews. A supple- Stanislaw Rylko, president of the he underwent a tracheotomy to make six days after his death. The funeral was mentary press office was prepared for the Pontifical Council for the Laity; and breathing less difficult. Doctors inserted a to be held on April 8. thousands of reporters expected to arrive Father Tadeusz Styczen, a former student nasogastric tube to aid nutrition on Cardinals were already making their for the pope’s funeral and the conclave. of the pope’s and director of the John Paul March 30. way to Rome to participate in a papal con- The Vatican’s website was overloaded II Institute at Lublin University in Poland. On the evening of March 31, the pope’s clave or election, scheduled to begin 15 to soon after the pope’s situation took a turn Also present were the three nuns who infection caused a high fever and septic 20 days after his death. for the worse, and the Vatican switchboard cared for the pope’s apartment, the pope’s shock, which brought on heart failure. He The 183 members of the College of was jammed. E-mail messages also poured personal physician and two other doctors was treated immediately with antibiotics Cardinals were to participate in preliminary in, offering prayers and condolences to the and two nurses, the spokesman said. and respiratory equipment that had been discussions before the election, and the Holy Father. About 90 minutes before the pope died, installed in the papal apartment, and his 117 cardinals under the age of 80 were eli- The city of Rome announced plans to Navarro-Valls said, the cardinals and condition stabilized temporarily. gible to vote in the closed-door conclave. deal with the flood of visitors expected in priests at the pope’s bedside began cele- But in his statement early on April 1, A youthful 58 when elected in 1978, Rome in the days after the pope’s death. A brating the Mass for Divine Mercy Navarro-Valls made it clear that the pope’s the pope experienced health problems special bus line was to run directly to the Sunday. During the course of the Mass, he condition was deteriorating. early in his papacy. Vatican from the train station, and officials said, the pope received Communion and The pope received the “holy viaticum,” He was shot and almost killed in said they would set up tents around the the anointing of the sick. a reference to the Eucharist given when a May 1981 during an assassination attempt Vatican to provide assistance to pilgrims. † Page 14 The Criterion Friday, April 8, 2005 As dominant world figure, pope used his moral leadership VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Pope John The Gospel of Life, his 1995 encyclical Paul II spent more than 26 years as a domi- on pro-life issues that he addressed to “all nant figure on the world stage, using his people of good will” and sent to govern- moral leadership to promote human rights, ment leaders around the globe, reflected the condemn ethical failings and plead for pope’s sense of resolve. ArturoCNS file photo by Mari peace. “To speak out on an issue like abortion He had the ear of presidents, prime min- confirms this pope’s leadership in a dra- isters and kings, who came in a steady matic way. If a pope doesn’t try to awaken stream for private audiences at the Vatican. ethical responsibility, what is his value?” Although the pope’s fading health in later said Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro- years made these one-on-one meetings less Valls. substantive, his encounters with U.S. and The pope’s pro-life stand also virtually Soviet leaders in the 1980s and ’90s gave a excluded the death penalty, and he made spiritual impetus to the fall of European frequent appeals against executions in the communism. United States. After one dramatic plea dur- More than any previous pontiff, he ing his visit to St. Louis in 1999, the capital pushed religious teachings into the center sentence of a Missouri Death Row inmate of public debate, arguing that universal was commuted by the governor. moral norms—such as the sanctity of life— During jubilee celebrations in 2000, the are not optional for contemporary society. pope continually prodded and pressured The pope’s bold words and gestures won global financial powers to forgive at least acclaim, but not from all quarters. As his part of the Third World debt—a request pontificate wore on, his message increas- that added a moral dimension to the issue ingly went against conventional thinking and helped bring about debt relief for some on issues like abortion, gay marriage and of the poorest nations. Pope John Paul II and Cuban President Fidel Castro come face to face in communist Cuba on Jan. 15, genetic research. The pope conferred with presidents, 1998. When it came to war, the pope gave no stood up to tyrants and preached to crowds comfort to those pressing for the use of of more than a million people. Almost The pope’s door almost always was Chile and Argentina in 1978. military force. His outspoken opposition to immediately after his election in 1978, he open to the world’s powerful, a policy that But sometimes the pope’s peace efforts the U.S.-led war on Iraq in 2003 was based began using the world as a pulpit—decry- brought controversial figures to his private went unheeded, to his bitter disappoint- on the conviction that both sides should ing hunger from Africa; denouncing the library—among them Palestinian leader ment. That was true not only in Iraq, but have done more to settle the dispute peace- arms race from Hiroshima, Japan; and pro- Yasser Arafat, Cuban President Fidel also his warnings about conflagration in fully. He mobilized an unprecedented, moting human equality from caste-con- Castro and former Austrian President Kurt the Balkans and his horror at ethnic fight- though unsuccessful, diplomatic effort to scious India. Waldheim. ing in Africa illustrated the limits of papal help prevent hostilities and to preserve the As Poland’s native son, he had a special Many observers, including former influence. role of the United Nations in global peace- interest and a key role in the demise of U.S. ambassadors to the Vatican, said When Pope John Paul first addressed the making. European communism. For years, he criti- Pope John Paul’s influence on world United Nations in 1979, he emphasized Following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist cized the moral bankruptcy of the system, events was tremendous. They praised his that harmonious international relations attacks in the U.S. by extremists acting in to applause in the West. His visits to his political savvy, reflected less in the public were deeply tied to a proper understanding the name of Islam, the pope led a spiritual homeland helped light the fire of reform, realm than in behind-the-scenes efforts by of freedom and respect for moral precepts. campaign against all violence in the name which eventually led to the first noncom- Vatican diplomats. The pope’s tenure saw That was a message he honed over the of religion. He convened a meeting of munist government in the Soviet bloc. a near-doubling of the number of coun- years, in face-to-face meetings with world Muslims, Christians, Jews and others in In an astute political move, he cultivated tries with which the Vatican holds diplo- leaders and in public speeches. Assisi in early 2002, and the gathering pro- an ally in Mikhail Gorbachev, whose “glas- matic relations. Returning to the United Nations in 1995, duced a joint statement against terrorism. nost” policies set the stage for the breakup At the same time, his flair for the dra- frailer but just as forceful, he again insisted Pro-life issues brought out a fighting of the Soviet Union—and the return of reli- matic gesture helped make him the most- that the “family of nations” must be spirit in the Polish-born pontiff. In 1994, gious freedom. televised pontiff in history. That was a form founded on strong moral principles and for example, he challenged U.N. popula- But the pope was also a sometimes- of global influence that this pope never warned of “unspeakable offenses against tion planners on abortion and birth-control unwelcome critic of capitalism, warning underestimated. Millions watched him human life and freedom” in today’s world. policies, and steered an international devel- that the profit motive alone would never walk through crowds of African poor or The pope never stopped prodding the opment conference toward a moral debate bring justice and cautioning about the visit a shantytown family in Latin America. world’s conscience, nor did he shy away on life and family issues. effects of “globalization” in the post-com- As the pope once said, one reason he kept from appealing directly to heads of state. The pope and his aides took some flak munist era. returning to these places was that he knew Visiting Cuba in 1998, he challenged for that. But as he aged, he seemed more Modern leadership is often a question of the cameras would follow, spotlighting Castro’s government to allow freedom of determined than ever to speak his mind, personal rapport, and Pope John Paul met human problems around the globe. expression and a wider Church role in applying Church teaching to technical with world figures across the spectrum. The pope was a consistent critic of war society. questions such as economics, biology and During his pontificate, every U.S. president and a booster of peace, and during his pon- In these and other interventions, the demographics, and prodding individual made a pilgrimage to the Vatican, including tificate the Vatican issued major statements pope felt certain that he acted in the name consciences on what he has called a world- President George W. Bush in 2001, 2002 calling for disarmament. His aides success- of civilians who had little or no voice in wide “moral crisis.” and 2004. fully headed off a shooting war between world events. † History may see pope as ‘godfather’ in communism’s demise VATICAN CITY (CNS)—In the view of year, a Vatican document approved by the culminated in their historic meeting at the foresight. many political commentators, history will pope referred to communist regimes as the Vatican in 1989 and led to the restoration of They chose a man from Krakow, best remember Pope John Paul II as the spiri- “shame of our time.” Church rights throughout the Soviet bloc. Poland—the “geographical center of the tual godfather of communism’s demise. The real testing ground of East European When the Soviet Union disintegrated, the continent”—who was a European Slav and Although he refused to claim personal freedom was Poland. When the pope visited Vatican took further advantage of the situation a “bridge between the East and the West.” credit for the collapse of communism in his homeland in 1979, he helped ignite a by quickly establishing diplomatic relations The pope spoke the languages of many of Eastern Europe and its decline elsewhere sense of spiritual purpose that nurtured the with the newly independent countries. As the the region’s people, and that made a huge around the globe, the pope was keenly aware political hopes of the Solidarity labor move- pope remarked, it was clear that Marxist ide- difference, Shakespeare said. that his moral prodding—especially in his ment. After martial law was imposed and ology was “completely exhausted.” When Solidarity took hold in Poland and native Poland—helped redraw the ideological Solidarity outlawed, the pope returned to a A key part of the pope’s strategy was to pro-democracy movements began spreading map in the late 20th century. discouraged nation in 1983, but in talk after encourage communist countries to sign to other countries, the reports that came in “I think the crucial role was played by talk raised the country’s morale and political human rights accords, then insist that they live did not get stuck in the Vatican bureau- Christianity itself: its content, its religious resolve. up to them. The Vatican, for example, repeat- cracy—they went to a Polish Slav pope and moral message, its intrinsic defense of Back once again in 1987, he repeatedly edly invoked the Helsinki Agreement and the who had shepherded his own flock for the human person. All I did was recall this, praised the original Solidarity ideals, ham- 1989 Vienna follow-up accords when dis- 30 years under communism, he said. repeat it and insist on it,” the pontiff said in a mered the government’s labor record, called cussing the human rights situation in Eastern “From a management point of view, the 1993 interview. for religious freedom and said Marxism had Europe. Catholic Church was perfectly prepared for His election in 1978 as the first pope from lost credibility. Another factor working for the pope was what happened,” he said. behind the Iron Curtain immediately sparked “Save your strength for the future,” he told that the Vatican’s “blessing” was important to The pope realized that the moral victory interest in Washington and apprehension in a crowd of millions in Gdansk, where the countries seeking economic and political over communism marked the start of a deli- Moscow, two poles of a renewed Cold War. pro-democracy movement had begun. Two favor in the West. As communist ideology cate reorganizational phase for the Church For decades, the Vatican had followed a pol- years later, a revived Solidarity swept to weakened, the regimes sometimes advertised and its pastoral mission. In the space of a icy of quiet negotiation with communist political power in historic free elections, and their more liberal approach by offering con- decade, he called two special synods for regimes in order to win realistic concessions European communism began to unravel. cessions on religious freedom. Europe to discuss evangelization plans in on religious rights. Many thought the new From 1980 onward, the United States sent The pope adopted the same strategy during the wake of the Soviet collapse and empha- pope would throw out this “Ostpolitik” in high-level officials from the State Department his historic pastoral visit to Cuba in 1998, sized that the demoralizing effects of a half- favor of a more aggressive approach. and the Central Intelligence Agency to brief encouraging President Fidel Castro to make century of communism could not be erased But in the end, Pope John Paul made the pope about Soviet policies in Poland and political and religious reforms while urging overnight. “Ostpolitik” his own. He kept up the quiet elsewhere. The Vatican never denied that the international community to stop isolating He also rejected ideological triumphal- negotiations, but in documents and these meetings took place, but denied the the Caribbean nation. ism. Rather than dance on communism’s speeches around the world he began making claim of a U.S.-Vatican “holy alliance” to While much of the world was caught off- grave, he preferred to warn that unchecked not-so-quiet pronouncements about commu- thwart communism. balance by the rapid disintegration of commu- capitalism held its own dangers—especially nist ideology and practice. In fact, when the first big cracks appeared nism, the Vatican seemed better prepared. in the countries emerging from Marxist In 1984, for example, the pope publicly in the European communist facade, the pope According to former U.S. Ambassador to the shadows. He made a point to visit 18 for- criticized Moscow for not letting him go to turned East, not West, for help. His over- Vatican Frank Shakespeare, the cardinals who mer Soviet republics or satellites in the Lithuania for religious celebrations. The same tures to Soviet reformer Mikhail Gorbachev elected Pope John Paul II showed amazing years before his death. † The Criterion Friday, April 8, 2005 Page 15 Slowed by age, pope refused to give up world travels

VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Although slowed by age and infirmity before he died, Pope John Paul II refused to give up one of his favorite pastoral duties—traveling the globe. ArturoCNS photo by Mari Visiting 129 countries on 104 trips outside Italy, he redefined the nature of the papacy and its once-stable ministry. Earlier popes were carried on chairs at the Vatican; this one jetted around the world, taking the universal Church to such out- of-the-way places as Papua New Guinea, Madagascar and Alaska. Averaging four major trips a year, the pope logged more than 700,000 miles and spent about 6 percent of his papacy outside the Vatican and Italy. Every year, his aides told him to slow down—and every year the pontiff pen- ciled in more trips. In 2002, despite summer heat and declining health, the pope crisscrossed North and Central America for 11 days to meet with youths in Toronto and canonize saints in Guatemala and Mexico. Perhaps the most personally satisfying trip was his Holy Year 2000 pilgrimage to biblical lands, which began in Egypt with a visit to Mount Sinai and continued with Pope John Paul II takes in the view from Mount Nebo on March 20, 2000. Tradition says Moses first glimpsed the Promised Land from the mountain in Jordan. stops in Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories. it is necessary to do something of what is residents. stern rebuke to dictator Jean-Claude The pope walked in the footsteps of too much.” Moments earlier, in a spontaneous ges- “Baby Doc” Duvalier, who eventually was Christ and the Apostles, and made a his- On other occasions, he said simply, “I ture, he had taken off his gold papal ring forced out of office. toric visit in Jerusalem to the Western must visit my people.” and offered it to the poverty-stricken local In his native Poland, the pope’s early Wall, Judaism’s holiest place. His top aides said the pontiff aimed to parish. visits—which drew massive, politically A year later, extending his biblical pil- strengthen the links between the Church He visited with victims of Hansen’s energized crowds—were credited by many grimage, he made unprecedented papal in Rome and particular Church communi- disease in Guinea-Bissau and blessed with re-igniting the pro-democracy move- stops in Greece and Syria, meeting with ties around the globe. young AIDS sufferers in Uganda and the ment that broke the communist hold on Orthodox in Athens and visiting a mosque From the mountains of Peru to the United States. These stops provided rare power in 1989. in Damascus, Syria. plains of India, he spoke the local lan- glimpses of papal emotion, and his hugs During his 1998 visit to Cuba, one of Even when his failing health made it guages, gave pep talks to local pastoral for the sick were often front-page pictures the last bastions of communism, he difficult for him to walk and speak, the workers and canonized local saints. in newspapers around the world. strongly defended civil and Church free- pope plowed ahead with trips to out-of- His speeches, sermons and liturgies The pope’s seven trips to the United doms, and said he hoped the visit would the-way places like Azerbaijan and often were televised in the host countries, States featured festive celebrations and bear the same fruits as his Polish trips. Bulgaria, where he was pushed on a giving him a unique opportunity to evan- emotional highlights, like the time he Yet even after the fall of European wheeled platform and lowered from air- gelize and stand up publicly for minority embraced armless guitarist Tony communism, invisible walls kept Pope planes on a modified cargo lift. Catholics. Melendez—who strummed a guitar with John Paul from visiting his flock in sev- In 2004, when he no longer could walk, Some of his warmest receptions came his feet—in Los Angeles in 1987, or when eral places. he visited Switzerland and Lourdes, in Africa, a continent where his 14 pas- he met the 375,000-strong pilgrimage of At the top of the list was Russia, where France. toral visits helped spur a period of tremen- young people who visited Denver in Orthodox leaders kept saying the time was From the beginning, Pope John Paul dous growth for the Church. August 1993 for the World Youth Day not ripe, and China, where the govern- made it clear he enjoyed being out of the He once told reporters he kept return- vigil and Mass at Cherry Creek State ment refused to recognize the pope’s Vatican and mingling with the faithful. He ing to Africa in order to bring the journal- Park. authoritative role. treated reporters to unprecedented flying istic spotlight to its sufferings. A crowd in From a pastoral point of view, some of Where he did journey, there were often news conferences, strolling through the Burkina Faso held up a banner in 1990 his toughest trips were in Europe, a conti- long-term benefits, measured in terms of press section of his plane and fielding that welcomed him as “a great friend.” nent that the pope declared was in need of Church growth and vitality. And there dozens of questions. In a 1980 trip to Latin America, he re-evangelization. were short-term rewards, like the mental Asked about his globe-trotting papacy in emphasized the Church’s commitment to In places like the Netherlands in 1985, postcards he created while sitting in a tent 1983, he replied, “Yes, I am convinced ... the poor by walking into a shack in a he got an earful from Catholics unhappy with a Buddhist monk in Thailand, greet- that I am traveling too much, but sometimes Rio de Janeiro slum and chatting with the with Church positions on issues such as ing sword-wielding former headhunters in birth control and priestly celibacy. India or celebrating Mass in a snowstorm A koala clings to Pope John International politics sometimes col- in war-ravaged Sarajevo, Bosnia- Paul II as the pontiff ored Pope John Paul’s travels. Herzegovina. addresses journalists in CNS file photo In Nicaragua in 1983, the pope tried to Whether in Muslim Morocco, Buddhist Brisbane, Australia, in 1986. shout down Sandinista activists who Japan or Catholic Spain, the pope pushed During his worldwide travels, began chanting political slogans during a a simple message through his words and the pope has embraced local Mass. presence: that the Gospel is not out of folklore and traditions, often In Haiti on the same trip, he delivered a place in any country. † with delight. CNS file photo

Pope John Paul II greets a throng of people gathered for Mass near the Caracas airport in Venezuela in 1996. In 25 years, the pontiff has logged more than 700,000 travel miles while visiting 129 countries. He made two visits to Venezuela. CNS photo from Reuters ‘Be Not CNS photo from Reuters Afraid’ CNS photo from Reuters CNS photo from Catholic Press photo

Clockwise from far left, Pope John Paul II blesses a cheering crowd during an outdoor Mass in Bratislava, Slovakia, on Sept. 14, 2003. The pontiff’s four-day trip to Slovakia taxed his fading physical strength.

Pope John Paul II holds tight his crosier during the first Mass of his 13-day trip to his homeland on June 5, 1999. The Mass was in the seaside village of Sopot.

A worshipper holds a candle and an image of Pope John Paul II during a special Mass in a church in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Pope John Paul II, 84, died on April 2 at 9:37 p.m. Rome time. He had led the Roman Catholic Church for 26 years.

Pope John Paul II prays the rosary on Oct. 7, 2003, at the , Arturo Mari Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Holy Rosary in the center of Pompeii, Italy. The pontiff ended a year dedicated to

CNS photo from Reuters the rosary, praying the five mysteries of light that he added to

CNS file photo by ArturoCNS file photo by Mari the rosary in October 2002. L'Osservatore Romano Pope John Paul II visits with Mehmet Ali Agca in a Rome prison on Dec. 27, 1983. Their meeting came two years after Agca was

CNS photo from arrested for shooting the pontiff in St. Peter’s Square. The pope publicly forgave his assailant. In 2000, Italy pardoned Agca and returned him to his homeland, Turkey.

Pope John Paul II visits Uganda in February 1993.

Pope John Paul II kisses a baby during a weekly general audience on Nov. 28, 2001. He continually promoted respect for the sanctity and dignity of life from conception until natural death. Page 18 The Criterion Friday, April 8, 2005 In U.S. visits, pope urged Catholics to use fr eedom responsibly

WASHINGTON (CNS)—In Pope John on Americans not to lose sight of free- Paul II’s seven visits to the United States, dom’s “true meaning.” he continually urged Catholics to use their “America: You cannot insist on the freedom responsibly and to preserve the right to choose without also insisting on sacredness and value of human life. the duty to choose well, the duty to In football stadiums in New York and choose in truth,” he said at an ecumenical California, a Hispanic barrio in Texas, a service. historic farm in Iowa and dozens of cathe- He not only spoke to huge crowds, but drals, the pope challenged Americans to addressed smaller groups of religious Arturo Romano, Mari) CNS photo from L’Osservatore rediscover their country’s religious roots, leaders, black Catholics, Native which sought to guarantee individual free- Americans, Catholic educators and dom and human dignity. Catholic health care workers. He also met He frequently quoted long-standing with President Ronald Reagan. icons of American culture, including the In Los Angeles, he met privately with Declaration of Independence, the most of the U.S. bishops and noted that Constitution, words of Thomas Jefferson, many Catholics “are selective in their the Pledge of Allegiance, and even the adherence to” Church moral teachings. He song “America the Beautiful.” said it was wrong to think that dissent In 1979, he visited the Statue of Liberty poses no obstacle to Catholic participation and in 1995, he reminded his listeners at in the sacraments. Giants Stadium in New Jersey not to for- In San Francisco, the pope ignored the get the words emblazoned on the base of conventional wisdom of the day to reach the statue, symbolizing the nation’s initial out and touch AIDS patients, shaking their willingness to care for the poor and immi- hands and embracing a 4-year-old boy Above, Pope John Paul II blesses the crowed during his grant. who had contracted the deadly disease visit to St. Louis in 1999. “Is present day America becoming less through a blood transfusion shortly after sensitive, less caring toward the poor, the birth. Left, Pope John Paul II blesses weak, the stranger, the needy?” he asked. In Los Angeles, after the pope heard Chris SheridanCNS photo by the crowd during Mass in And with a challenging response to his armless musician Tony Melendez play the Chicago’s Grant Park during own question, he replied, “It must not.” guitar with his toes, he jumped off the his October 1979 visit to the In 1987, the pope told Americans at a stage, strode over to him and kissed him United States. departure ceremony at the Detroit on his cheek. Metropolitan Airport: “The ultimate test Six years later, Melendez performed at of your greatness is the way you treat World Youth Day in Denver, where the every human being, but especially the pope spoke to hundreds of thousands of weakest and most defenseless ones.” young people at the edge of the Rocky The pope first came to the United Mountains. States in 1979, visiting Boston, New York, Many of the youth not only walked Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington and 15 miles in the summer’s heat to the site Des Moines, Iowa. of the final Mass of the pope’s 1993 visit, He met with Church and civic leaders, but also camped out overnight for the ser- including President Jimmy Carter at the vice, where they were encouraged by the White House, but he also took the time to pope to bring Christ to the world. personally greet many of the thousands “At this stage of history, the liberating who flocked to the sidelines, hoping for a message of the Gospel of life has been put handshake or even just a glimpse of him. into your hands,” he told the youth. In Chicago, he found time to make a During his three-day stay in Denver, phone call to a retired bishop dying of the pope also met with President Bill Lou Gehrig’s disease. Clinton. But the pope’s first U.S. visit also was In 1995, in a visit just to the East not without tension. During the last day of Coast, the pope stopped in New York his trip, he met with about 7,000 women City; Brooklyn, N.Y.; Baltimore and religious in Washington and was chal- Newark, N.J. He celebrated Mass in New lenged by one of them to expand women’s York’s Central Park and various sports role in the Church. stadiums, including a racetrack in Queens. “I urge you, Your Holiness, to be open In a formal talk to the U.N. General to and to respond to the voices coming Assembly and in off-the-cuff remarks to from the women of this country who are schoolchildren, the pope urged people to desirous of serving in and through the work and pray for peace. home-run champion for the St. Louis Catholics to be “unconditionally pro-life” Church as fully participating members,” He also took an unexpected detour Cardinals, prior to leading a prayer service in taking stands against abortion, euthana- said Mercy Sister Theresa Kane, then- down Fifth Avenue to greet the throngs of for youth in the city’s hockey arena. The sia and assisted suicide, capital punish- head of the Leadership Conference of people eager to see the pontiff up close. next day, he celebrated Mass at an ment and racism. Women Religious. In a prayer service in Newark, the pope enclosed football stadium for 120,000 More than once, he cited the “Spirit of Although the pope had stopovers in thanked God for the “extraordinary human people in what has been described as the St. Louis”—the name of the plane in Alaska in 1981 and 1984, his next major epic that is the United States.” And before largest indoor Mass in the country. which Charles Lindbergh made history visit to the United States was in 1987, leaving, he again urged Catholics to “love He challenged young people not to with the first solo trans-Atlantic flight— when he visited Miami; Columbia, S.C.; life, cherish life, defend life, from concep- delay living out their faith. in appeals for a new spirit of service, New Orleans; San Antonio; Phoenix; Los tion to natural death.” “You are ready for what Christ wants compassion and generosity. Angeles; Monterey and Carmel, Calif.; The pope returned to the United States of you now. He wants you—all of you— In his usual fashion, he also urged San Francisco; and Detroit. in 1999 for a pastoral visit to St. Louis. to be light to the world,” he told the exu- St. Louis Catholics to take up a renewed In South Carolina, he praised the In his 31-hour stay in the country’s berant crowd. spirit of their “one nation, under God, American tradition of freedom, but called heartland, the pope met Mark McGwire, He also strongly urged American with liberty and justice for all.” † Leaders of religious orders react to pope’s death

By Sean Gallagher other people’s cultures.” In a prepared statement, the Sisters of perhaps stronger for his efforts.” Little Sister of the Poor Geraldine St. Benedict at Our Lady of Grace “John Paul II opened an important dia- Leaders of religious orders across the Harvie, superior of her community at the Monastery in Beech Grove honored the logue between Catholics and people of archdiocese reacted to the death of Pope St. Augustine Home for the Aged in late pope for his ministry to the world’s other religious traditions,” said Jesuit John Paul II through written statements. Indianapolis, spoke about the model that youth. Father Benjamin Hawley, president of “The Saint Meinrad community is the pope gave in how to bear the suffer- “His love for the youth of our Church Brebeuf Jesuit. “We will miss his leader- greatly saddened by the death of our ings of age with dignity. and of the world shone brightly whenever ship and charismatic personality.” Holy Father…” said Benedictine “Our Holy Father’s example of serene he was around them. He spoke directly to Carmelite Sister Jean Alice McGoff, Archabbot Justin DuVall, the leader of acceptance of his suffering was a ‘light’ them and called them to a faithful living prioress of the Monastery of the Saint Meinrad Archabbey. “Pope John for the whole world,” she said. “He knew of the Gospel. Their enthusiastic response Resurrection in Indianapolis, noted the Paul’s love for the priesthood provided what it was to be old and to suffer and he to his message is a testament to his leader- pope’s positive impact upon the ongoing inspiration for the seminarians of our valued all it entailed.” ship.” renewal of Carmelites around the world. School of Theology.” The Sisters of St. Francis of Oldenburg Members of the Society of Jesus serv- “In the 1980s, Pope John Paul, who Providence Sister Margaret Ann pointed to the pope’s efforts to foster rec- ing in Indianapolis also praised the pope’s was well-versed in the Carmelite tradition, O’Hara, general superior of the Sisters of onciliation among nations in an issued legacy while also expressing sadness at visited Mexico and addressed a large Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, statement about his death. his death. group of contemplative nuns,” she said. said the pope would be remembered as a “The Oldenburg sisters, involved in “The Society of Jesus worldwide “He encouraged them to let their monas- peacemaker among all peoples and many peace and justice endeavors, recall mourns the death of our Holy Father teries become ‘centers of prayer’ where nations. Pope John Paul II, who was an avid along with the entire Church,” said Jesuit others could come and have their spiritual “He intervened as a mediator among patron of peace and justice among all peo- Father Thomas Widner, rector of Brebeuf hunger fed. I noticed after that a real nations,” she said. “He gave his total self ples. We pray that his Holiness [will] Jesuit Preparatory School and former edi- change of attitude in many American to serve other people and to serve the intercede for all of us left here to carry out tor of The Criterion. “…We accepted Carmels. This is a special memory of Church. He had a genuine appreciation for his mission to everyone we meet.” Pope John Paul’s leadership here and are Pope John Paul in my life.” † The Criterion Friday, March 8, 2005 Page 19 Local religious leaders express admiration for pope

By Sean Gallagher “The fact that this pope, at this period in time in the world,” he said, “was will-

Pope John Paul II was not only the ing to step forward and say to the world Submitted Photo spiritual leader of a billion Catholics. He that the Jews are authentic and valued as also reached out to other Christians and partners in God’s creation, I think has people of other faiths around the globe. meant a great deal to any Jew who paid A number of Christian leaders and attention to this anywhere in the world.” representatives of other religious tradi- Rabbi Adland spoke of the special tions in the Indianapolis area reacted to significance of the pope’s visit to the pope’s death with sadness but also Jerusalem and the Western Wall in 2000. spoke of appreciation for his efforts to “Then the fact that he was willing to go build unity among all peoples. to Israel and go to the holiest site within Some of their reactions were strong the Jewish world and offer a prayer there, because the pope’s desire for ecumenical I think is an image that Jews will hold and interreligious dialogue reached here, onto forever,” he said. with a number of religious leaders from Being a native of Poland not only Indianapolis having traveled in the past served as a basis for John Paul’s esteem to the Vatican to speak with the Pope for the Jewish people, but for Orthodox and other curial officials. Christians as well. Geographically, Rev. Dr. William Chris Hobgood, Poland lies at the eastern border of general minister and president of the Catholicism in Europe and borders Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), countries where Orthodox Christians are based in Indianapolis, met with the pope dominant. last year as a part of the over two- More than once, the Holy Father decade-old ecumenical dialogue spoke of his deep desire for reconcilia- between the Disciples and the Catholic tion between the Catholic and Orthodox Rev. Dr. William Chris Hobgood, general minister and president of the Christian Church (Disciples of Church. Churches so that all of Christendom Christ), based in Indianapolis, meets with Pope John Paul II in March 2004 at the Vatican. In a prepared statement after the could once again “breathe with both pope’s death, Rev. Dr. Hobgood said, lungs.” 3 p.m. on April 10 at St. Monica Church John Paul was spoken by K.P. Singh, a “… I know of no other person in our Father Anastasios Gounaris, presbyter in Indianapolis. founding member of the Indianapolis time, except for Martin Luther King Jr., of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Pope John Paul constantly sought to Sikh community and a self-described who so passionately called out the very in Indianapolis, was in Rome last June foster understanding among people of all advocate of interfaith and intercultural best in human beings, in the name of for the feast of SS. Peter and Paul, an faiths, despite the conflicts—often tinged activities. God. This was at the heart of his public occasion when the Greek Orthodox with religious motivations—that plagued Describing the Holy Father as a spirituality, in a time when principles of Patriarch of Constantinople traditionally the world throughout his pontificate. “teacher for the ages,” Singh went on to peace and justice are in great peril.” visits the pope. In particular, he often reached out to say that he “brought joy not only to one Rev. Dr. Richard Hamm, a past gen- He was moved by the “tenderness” Muslims, becoming the first pope to billion Catholics, but brought incredible eral minister and president of the that the two religious showed for each visit a mosque and accepting the invita- joy and inspiration to people of all Disciples of Christ, also traveled to the other and described as a “historic occa- tion of the King of Morocco to speak faiths.” Vatican on several occasions in the 1990s sion” the Vatican’s giving of a church in before 20,000 Muslim youth in a soccer Singh also appreciated John Paul’s and finally at the end of the Jubilee at the Rome to the Greek Orthodox commu- stadium in his country. concern with the poor and oppressed of start of 2001 for ecumenical meetings. nity there, which he witnessed during Dr. Sayyid Muhammed Sayeed, sec- the world. On a couple of occasions, he also met the trip. retary general of the Plainfield-based “He asks each and every one of us to the pope. When Rev. Dr. Hamm and the Nearly a year later, the pope with Islamic Society of North America, spoke expand the circle of God’s light and love leaders of 17 other Christian commu- whom he had prayed now deceased, of his appreciation for the pope’s efforts to one another,” Singh said, “especially nions met with the pope at St. Paul Father Gounaris reflected upon the to promote mutual respect between included in this [are] those who are dis- Outside the Walls Basilica in Rome, he importance John Paul had for Orthodox Christians and Muslims. possessed, disenfranchised, and those said he was invited to meet with him Christians. “The Muslim community in North who need a special hand in prayer to privately and “words of blessing were “Orthodox all over the world appreci- America and Muslims in general all uplift their lives and their spirit and their exchanged.” ate his very sincere efforts toward recover the world really found a friend in human dignity.” Reflecting on the pope’s fostering of onciliation between the two Churches,” him,” Dr. Sayeed said. “He built Dr. Edward Wheeler, president of ecumenical dialogue, Rev. Dr. Hamm Father Gounaris said. “I think we feel a bridges. He helped to heal the wounds. Christian Theological Seminary in saw him as a role model for himself and great sense of loss in addition to all the “It has helped us to alleviate so much Indianapolis, also praised the pope for others in his denomination. other reasons that the whole world feels, pain, so much suffering, so much ill will advocacy for those who seem unimpor- “We as Disciples pride ourselves on but we feel a great sense of loss because throughout the world. We certainly tant in the eyes of the world. our ecumenical spirit and one of our we know we’ve lost a great friend.” attribute a lot of this to his initiative.” “He was a voice for marginalized founding principles is the reuniting of Friendship among Catholics and other It was the pope’s initiative that led people in a way that brought encourage- all Christians,” he said. “But I’d have to Christians in central Indiana was Dr. Sayeed to the Vatican in 2000 to par- ment to those of us who want a more say that the pope set an excellent exam- advanced late last year when Father ticipate in a dialogue among Christian just world,” Dr. Wheeler said. “His ple of that kind of ecumenical fervor by John Beitans, pastor of St. Lawrence and Muslim leaders from around the voice will be missed.” the fact that he was so open to be in dia- Parish in Indianapolis, was named the world. The fact that so many religious lead- logue with others.” first Catholic president of the Church “It was a kind of assembly where we ers in central Indiana alone not only Rabbi Jonathan Adland, the rabbi of Federation of Greater Indianapolis in its had to discuss and deliberate on how we praised Pope John Paul II for his ecu- the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation, 93-yeaer history. could provide leadership to build peace menical and interreligious initiatives but praised the Holy Father’s deep respect The Church Federation is sponsoring in the world,” he said. “It was really were also participants in them suggests for the Jewish people, a respect rooted an ecumenical prayer service at which overwhelming.” that those efforts, at least in part, have in the experience of his youth in Poland. Pope John Paul will be remembered at Some of the highest praise for Pope met with success. † Archbishop offers words of comfort after pope’s death

By Beth Arnold Buechlein said he had been asked repeatedly during the past two days about the DANVILLE—Archbishop Daniel M. pope’s legacy. Buechlein planned to install the new pas- “That is not an easy question to tor at Mary, Queen of Peace Parish in answer,” he said. “As a successor to Wyand MaryPhoto by Ann Danville, on April 2. Peter, Pope John Paul II has fulfilled his Pope John Paul II’s death the same duties as a missionary to the world and as day did not deter him from his duties as a global pastor, even to those not of the archbishop. Catholic faith. More than 400 people came to cele- “Pope John Paul II was a champion of brate Father Bernard Cox’s installation as dignity of the human person,” the arch- pastor of the Indianapolis West Deanery bishop said. “He showed that people are parish. not diminished because of illness or Several parishioners first learned of disability.” the pope’s passing from the archbishop at The archbishop encouraged everyone the beginning of Mass. to be as compassionate and to remember Saddened and shocked, the assembly all that the pope had done for others. was consoled by the archbishop. Archbishop Buechlein reminded “Pope John Paul II has been very everyone that Father Cox had also much on our minds. He’s gone home to answered the call to the priesthood. He God,” Archbishop Buechlein said. asked for prayers, love and support for The papal candle was lighted in SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis after the pope’s death. “Though we grieve, he has left us so Father Cox, explaining that “prayer is the much about… how to live.” key to happiness.” what connects people instead of what that“God is love. Believe in the Lord, Gathered to celebrate the Eucharist, The archbishop asked three things of divides people, and to always ask Father Jesus Christ.” parishioners were called to pray for the the faith community of Mary, Queen of Cox if he has been praying, resting, exer- Holy Father and to be attentive to the Peace Parish. cising and playing. (Beth Arnold, a member of Mary, Queen Gospel message. He asked them to pray for and invite Archbishop Buechlein ended his of Peace Parish in Danville, is a free- During his homily, Archbishop vocations to the priesthood, to focus on homily by reminding the gathering lance writer.) † Page 20 The Criterion Friday, April 8, 2005 Pope looked closely at role of women in the Church

VATICAN CITY (CNS)—In author- The pope’s teaching on complemen- Three young women itative theological documents and in tarity formed the basis for a 2004 docu- greet Pope John heartfelt pastoral letters, Pope John ment by the Congregation for the Paul II at World Youth Paul II looked at the role of women in Doctrine of the Faith on male-female Day in Denver in 1993. the Church and in the world more collaboration in the Church and society. Millions of young closely than any other pope in modern Describing discrimination against Joe Rimkus Jr. CNS file photo by people from around history. women and male-female rivalry as the world have prayed On topics as diverse as the priest- results of sin, the document said the dif- with the pope at the hood, motherhood, abortion, work, reli- ferences between the sexes are part of biannual gatherings gious life and peacemaking, women God’s plan for creation—not social con- he started during his were a recurring and often controver- structs—and that Church and society pontificate. sial subject for Pope John Paul. benefit when the gifts of both are recog- During his more than 26-year pon- nized. tificate, as women consolidated their While decrying discrimination against place in some of the highest echelons women and urging their promotion in all of temporal power, the pope and the spheres of community and social life, the Catholic Church were the objects of pope unequivocally reaffirmed the teach- continuous criticism about the status of ing that the Church cannot ordain them women in the Church. to the priesthood. The issue of women and the priest- The basic elements of his teaching on hood generated discussion and dissent women are found in his 1988 apostolic within the Catholic Church and became letter, “Mulieris Dignitatem” (The a major ecumenical stumbling block Dignity of Women), his 1994 apostolic when some Churches in the Anglican letter, “On Reserving Priestly Ordination Communion began ordaining women. to Men Alone,” and his 1995 “Letter to Nevertheless, during Pope John Women.” Paul’s pontificate, women took over But his thoughts on women also could pastoral and administrative duties in be found in significant segments of his priestless parishes, were appointed weekly general audience series on sexu- chancellors of dioceses around the ality and on the structure of the Church, world, and began swelling the ranks of his 1988 apostolic exhortation on the “experts” at Vatican synods and sym- laity, his 1995 message for World Peace posiums. Day, and his messages to the leaders of In 2004, for the first time, the pope the U.N. conferences on population and appointed two women theologians to on women. the prestigious International Theologi- Even one of his annual heart-to-heart Women have been subjugated fairness in career advancement. cal Commission and named a Harvard letters to the world’s priests dwelt on the because human beings are sinful, he But he also mentioned a growing University law professor, Mary Ann topic of women, particularly on the said, and “the situations in which the concern in his thinking and teaching—a Glendon, to be president of the importance of women—mothers, sisters woman remains disadvantaged or disbelief that modern societies were deni- Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences. and friends—in the lives of priests. criminated against by the fact of being a grating motherhood and penalizing While defending women’s rights and The starting point of “Mulieris woman” are the continuing conse- women who chose to have children. their “equal dignity” with men, the Dignitatem” was what Scripture had to quences of sin. While the pope carefully avoided dis- pope also highlighted the ways that say about women, especially Eve and The fact that God chose a woman, cussing women exclusively in terms of women are and should be different Mary, and Christ’s attitude toward the Virgin Mary, to play such an impor- their possible roles as virgins or moth- from men. women in the New Testament. tant role in the world’s salvation leaves ers, he exalted the virtues of both. Women and men have complemen- In the letter, the pope argued against little doubt about the God-given dignity He repeatedly pointed to women’s tary natures, he taught, and their outdated cultural views that God meant of women, the pope wrote. potential as bearers of life as part of the “diversity of roles” in the Church and women to be subject to men. Both were In his 1994 apostolic letter on ordi- “feminine genius” that the world so des- in the family are a reflection of that created in God’s image and likeness with nation, Pope John Paul said the perately needs as it struggles against the reality. equal dignity, he said. Church’s ban on women priests is defin- “culture of death” marked by war, abor- itive and not open to debate among tion and euthanasia. Catholics. Perhaps the most poignant example The all-male priesthood, he wrote, of the pope’s trust in women’s sensitiv- does not represent discrimination ity to life was a 1993 letter to an arch- against women, but fidelity to Christ’s bishop in war-ravaged Bosnia- actions and his plan for the Church. Herzegovina. The pope’s document reaffirmed the Denouncing the widespread practice basis for ordaining only men: Christ of ethnically motivated rape during the chose only men to be his Apostles, it war, the pope also pleaded with the vic- CNS photo by Alessia Giuliani, Catholic Press photo CNS photo by has been the constant practice of the tims, their families and their communi- Catholic and Orthodox Churches, and ties to welcome and love any babies the magisterium’s teaching on the mat- conceived as a result of rape. ter has been consistent. “The unborn, having no responsibil- Pope John Paul took his teaching ity for the deplorable act that occurred, directly to the world’s women in a 1995 is innocent and therefore cannot in any letter in which he thanked them for all way be considered an aggressor,” the they have done, apologized for the pope wrote. Church’s failure to always recognize “The whole community must draw their contributions, and condemned the close to these women who have been so “long and degrading history” of sexual painfully offended and to their families, violence against women. to help them transform an act of vio- Evaluating the women’s liberation lence into an act of love and welcome,” movement as being generally positive, he said. the pope called for changes to make The family, in its natural role as a women’s equality a reality in the world. “sanctuary of life and love,” is the place Women smile at Pope John Paul II after greeting the pontiff at his weekly general audience on June 25, He called for equal pay for equal work, to start rebuilding societies torn apart by 2003, in St. Peter’s Square. protection for working mothers and violence, Pope John Paul taught. † During his papacy, Pope John Paul II published 14 encyclicals

VATICAN CITY (CNS)—During the 90th anniversary of Pope Leo XIII’s Social Concerns), 1987—Second social history on the foundations of moral his more than 26-year tenure, Pope encyclical “Rerum Novarum.” encyclical, marking the 20th anniversary theology. John Paul II published 14 encyclical 4. “Slavorum Apostoli” (The Apostles of Pope Paul VI’s social encyclical 11. “Evangelium Vitae” (The Gospel letters. of the Slavs), 1985—Affirming Eastern “Populorum Progressio.” of Life), 1995—On abortion, euthana- Here is a chronological list of all Europe’s Christian culture in a commem- 8. “Redemptoris Missio” (The Mission sia, embryonic experiments and other his encyclicals: oration of SS. Cyril and Methodius on of the Redeemer), 1991—On spreading threats to human life, its sacredness 1. “Redemptor Hominis” (The the 1,100th anniversary of St. the Gospel as the central and permanent and dignity. Redeemer of Man), 1979—On Jesus Methodius’ death. mandate of the Church. 12. “Ut Unum Sint” (That All May Christ and the dignity his redemption 5. “Dominum et Vivificantem” (Lord 9. “Centesimus Annus” (The Be One), 1995—On the importance of brings to the human race. and Giver of Life), 1986—On the living Hundredth Year), 1991—Third social striving for Christian unity. 2. “Dives in Misericordia” (Rich in presence of the Holy Spirit in the Church encyclical, analyzing the social situation 13. “Fides et Ratio” (Faith and Mercy), 1980—On God the Father and and the world. in the light of communism’s collapse on Reason), 1998—On philosophy. the meaning of God’s mercy. 6. “Redemptoris Mater” (Mother of the 100th anniversary of “Rerum 14. “Ecclesia de Eucharistia” 3. “Laborem Exercens” (On Human the Redeemer), 1987—On Mary’s role in Novarum.” (Church of the Eucharist), 2003—On Work), 1981—Social encyclical on the mystery of Christ and in the Church. 10. “Veritatis Splendor” (The Splendor the Eucharist in its relationship to the workers’ rights and dignity marking 7. “Sollicitudo Rei Socialis” (On of Truth), 1993—First papal encyclical in Church. † The Criterion Friday, April 8, 2005 Page 21 Pope made important overtures to non-Christian religions WASHINGTON (CNS)—More than Judaism, claims Abraham as its father in any pontiff in modern history, Pope John faith and the God of Abraham as its God. Paul II made important overtures to non- The Church’s relations with Islam

Christian religions, using documents, under Pope John Paul were conditioned KNA CNS file photo by prayer meetings and personal visits to by political realities in many countries open the doors of dialogue. across the globe. Pope John Paul advanced the Church’s In recent years, the pope made special sometimes-difficult relations with Islam efforts to assure Muslims that the Church by visiting a mosque, speaking to Muslim did not view global terrorism and the groups on his foreign trips and insisting efforts to curb it as a “religious war” on full religious freedom in countries between Islam and Christianity. under Islamic law. One of his first trips abroad was to His special efforts on Catholic relations Turkey, an overwhelmingly Muslim coun- with Jews and Judaism—unique among try, in 1979. other religions as elder brother of In a talk to the tiny Catholic minority Christianity, with its own ongoing, irrevo- there, he urged respect for the religious cable covenant with God—will be remem- and moral values of Islam. In Istanbul, he bered as a hallmark of his papacy. visited Santa Sophia—then a museum, but Pope John Paul was convinced that historically one of the greatest churches in prayer could bring believers together, an the world under the Byzantine Empire and This is a 1986 file photo of the interfaith prayer gathering in the Italian town of Assisi, which brought idea that inspired the 1986 World Day of one of the greatest mosques in the world world religious leaders together to pray for peace in the face of the Cold War between the United Prayer for Peace in Assisi, Italy. during the Ottoman Empire. States and the Soviet Union. Pope John Paul II has requested interfaith clerics to join him for a new That unprecedented gathering at the In August 1985, when he visited peace gathering on Jan. 24, also to be held in Assisi. From left are Archbishop of Canterbury Robert pope’s invitation drew leaders of Jews, Morocco at the invitation of King Runcie, Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarch Methodios of Constantinople, Pope John Paul II and the Dalia Buddhists, Shintoists, Muslims, Hassan II, he became the first pope to Lama. Zoroastrians, Hindus, Unitarians, traditional visit an officially Islamic country at the African and Native American religions and invitation of its religious leader. Pope John Paul II many others. Together, under the roof of the There, at a historic meeting with thou- bows his head at the Basilica of St. Francis, they all prayed with sands of Muslim youths in Casablanca memorial shrine to St. John the Baptist

Christian leaders for world peace. Stadium, he emphasized that “we believe CNS photo from Reuters After the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist in the same God, the one God, the living inside Omayyad attacks in the United States by extremists God.” Mosque in Damascus, acting in the name of Islam, the pope con- In May 2001, the pope became the first Syria, on May 6. It was vened another Assisi meeting in early pontiff in history to enter a Muslim place the first time a 2002 and told more than 200 spiritual of worship when he visited the Umayyad Catholic pontiff had leaders: “Terrorism never again.” The par- mosque in Damascus, Syria. He paused to entered a Muslim ticipants issued a joint condemnation of pray at a memorial to St. John the Baptist place of worship. all violence in the name of religion. inside the mosque in an event that was In scores of other encounters and televised around much of the Muslim speeches over more than two decades, world. Pope John Paul sought to draw representa- Official Catholic-Muslim dialogue tives of all religions into deeper mutual expanded during his papacy, including ties understanding, respect and dialogue about between the Vatican and the Islamic cler- shared values and beliefs. ics of Cairo’s al-Azhar University, whom At the same time, he insisted that the pope met during a trip to Egypt in Catholics engaged in dialogue be true to 2000. Visiting Muslim-dominated places like representatives. their core beliefs and the spread of the But vast gulfs remained, chief among Sudan, the pope publicly called for mutual In Thailand in 1984, he visited the Gospel. them the persecution of Christians in parts respect for religious freedom. country’s 87-year-old supreme Buddhist In 2000, he approved a controversial of Africa and Asia under Islamic religious The slaying of a bishop and other mis- patriarch, Vasana Tara, as the patriarch Vatican document emphasizing Jesus law. sionaries in Algeria, presumably by meditated in front of a golden statue of Christ’s unique place as savior of human- The pope repeatedly preached respect Muslim extremists, prompted the pope to Buddha. ity, the universal and absolute value of for the rights of Muslims to practice their denounce all those who would kill in the Ten years later, however, the pope’s Christianity and the “gravely deficient sit- faith, but often lamented the fact that in name of God. description of Buddhism as “in large mea- uation’’ of those outside the Church. many countries—chief among them, Saudi Pope John Paul met several times with sure an ‘atheistic’ system’’ occasioned The pope’s dialogue efforts focused Arabia—Christians had no similar rights, the Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual leader criticism by some Buddhist leaders. especially on Islam—the other great and even the possession of a Bible was of Tibetan Buddhists, and with Buddhist, The Vatican had to reiterate the pope’s monotheistic faith that, like Christianity and considered a crime. Shintoist, Zen and other Eastern religious deep respect for the religion. † Reconciliation with Jews was a hallmark of John Paul’s papacy

WASHINGTON (CNS)—What Pope and said, “It is not permissible for anyone all Jews. “We risk making the victims of Peter.” John Paul II did to advance reconciliation to pass by this inscription with indiffer- the most atrocious deaths die again if we The most striking of these encounters between Catholics and Jews will go down ence.” do not have a passion for justice,” he said. was the pope’s one-mile trip across the in history as one of the hallmarks of his • 1986—He went to a Rome synagogue • 2000—After meditating at Tiber River in 1986 to the Great papacy. to pray with the city’s Jewish community. Jerusalem’s Western Wall, he placed in the Synagogue of Rome. It was believed to be Four moments stand out particularly for Noting Christianity’s unique bond with wall a written prayer to God expressing the first time since Peter that a pope had their symbolism: Judaism, he said, “You are our beloved deep sadness for all wrongs done to Jews entered the Rome synagogue, and symbol- • 1979—Back in Poland for the first brothers ... you are our elder brothers” in by Christians. It ended, “Asking your for- ically it marked a watershed in Catholic- time since his election to the papacy, he the faith of Abraham. giveness, we wish to commit ourselves to Jewish relations. prayed at the Auschwitz concentration • 1994—He attended a Vatican-hosted genuine brotherhood with the people of Visiting Germany in 1980, he summa- camp. He paused at the Hebrew inscrip- concert commemorating the Holocaust, the Covenant.” rized the proper Catholic approach to tion commemorating the Jews killed there Hitler’s World War II effort to exterminate Under Pope John Paul, the Vatican Judaism with the words: “Who meets published guidelines on how Catholics Jesus Christ meets Judaism.” He described A prayer that begins should teach and preach about Jews and Jews as “the people of God of the Old “God of our Fathers ...” Judaism and issued a major document on Covenant never retracted by God.” was left in a crevice of the Holocaust that expressed repentance In his weeklong jubilee pilgrimage to Jerusalem's Western Wall

CNS photo from Reuters for the Christians’ failure to oppose the the Holy Land, the pope visited Yad by Pope John Paul II on persecution of Jews. In 2000, the pope Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust memorial, and March 26, 2000. He was presided at a liturgy of repentance for the met with Holocaust survivors, including the first pontiff to pray at wrongs of Catholics toward Jews. about 30 from his Polish home town of Judaism’s most sacred Less than five months into his papacy, Wadowice. He greeted some by name. site. he met with leading representatives of Three days later, the sight of the aging, world Judaism. In that important first stooped pope praying as he pressed a meeting, he reiterated the Second Vatican trembling hand against the ancient stones Council’s condemnation of anti-Semitism of the Western Wall struck a chord with and pledged to foster Catholic-Jewish dia- Jews around the world. logue and “do everything in my power for When Jews make their pilgrimage to the peace of that land which is holy for Jerusalem to pray at the wall and leave you as it is for us.” prayer notes in its crevices, the notes usu- Meetings with representatives of the ally blow away in a few days. The pope’s local Jewish community were a regular note was removed and placed on display feature in his travels to 129 countries at the Yad Vashem museum. around the world. As a boy, Karol Wojtyla, the future Eugene Fisher, associate director of the pope, played with Jewish classmates in U.S. bishops’ Secretariat for Ecumenical Wadowice. His papal dealings with Jews and Interreligious Affairs, said: “Pope and Judaism reflected that lifelong per- John Paul met with more Jews and Jewish sonal relationship. communities in more places around the In 1993, when he had a historic world than all the previous popes since See JEWS, page 24 Page 22 The Criterion Friday, April 8, 2005 Pilgrims bid farewell to Pope John Paul II Pope John Paul II walks By Daniel Conway streets are inaccessible. Traffic, which is chaotic in the best of circumstances, is a outside his retreat in the ROME—The poster boards along the nightmare. And yet, life goes on. sleepy mountain town of Les Combes, Italy, follow-

Tiber River show that familiar craggy old Rome expects that the world will come CNS photo from Reuters face and proclaim with utter simplicity: to say farewell to Il Santo Papa (the Holy ing his Sunday Angelus “Un uomo buono” (a good man). Father), and the inconveniences are a on July 16, 2000. The He certainly was a good man. And a small price to pay to be once again the pope was spending holy priest. And a faithful bishop. And a center of the world’s attention. 12 days of vacation at pope for all generations. This is the kind of dramatic situation the camp owned by the But most of the world knew him sim- that Pope John Paul II intuitively knew Salesian order. ply as a good man—a man of his word, a how to use as an absolutely unique and courageous man who never yielded his unrepeatable “teachable moment.” The convictions, a man who cared about the prayer services that are being broadcast poor and the vulnerable, and a man of on immense video screens throughout the deep faith. “Un uomo bono.” Vatican City State are an inheritance of The crowds along the Via della this papacy. Conciliazione, the road that leads to Where 2 or 3 million are gathered, the St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican, are Gospel is proclaimed in living color! incredible. Old and young, rich and poor, As the rosary is prayed, and other women and men and children, people of prayer services are broadcast to the wait- every race, creed and political persuasion ing crowd, you can almost hear that line up to say farewell to the Holy Father magnificent baritone voice of Karol lying in state in St. Peter’s Basilica. Wojtyla—slurred and eventually stifled It’s as though 2 million people are by his illness and old age, but always a required to fill the void that this one good force to be reckoned with even when he man has left in the world. whispered! Pope John Paul II is no longer with us, This time of mourning is a grace-filled but there is no question that his spirit inhab- moment for all who have the privilege of its the streets leading to St. Peter’s Square. sharing in it—here in the Eternal City and The police and civil defense workers as broadcast throughout the world. who are charged with controlling the The whole world mourns the absence crowd do their jobs with quiet dignity and of a good man. The Church celebrates his respect—for the good man who is being presence—as forceful as ever in the com- honored here but also for the crowds of munion of saints. people who have come to pay their Imagine the welcome that this pope is respects. receiving from the thousands of men and Those who wait are patient, respectful, women who have been canonized as saints sometimes tearful and frequently filled or beatified in the past 26 years! Many here with joy. They are on a pilgrimage of rev- on earth (including those who are waiting erent homage, and they quietly wait their patiently to pay him their respects) would holy priest, a faithful bishop and a worthy (Daniel Conway, a member of the editor- turn to bid him a silent, prayerful farewell. say it’s a foregone conclusion that this successor of St. Peter. I suspect he would ial committee of the board of directors of This marvelous spectacle of faith could pope will one day be canonized himself. be very pleased (and ultimately content) Criterion Press Inc., is in Rome for the only happen in Rome. This city, which Pope John Paul II did not think of to see the posters that proclaim him pope’s funeral and is serving as our has seen it all, takes it all in stride. Major himself as a saint. He worked hard to be a “Un uomo bono,” a good man. special correspondent.) † Pope’s missionary initiatives sometimes blocked ecumenical dreams

VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Throughout build ecumenical bridges. proselytize among their faithful. Catholicos Karekin I of Etchmiadzin, head his more than 26-year pontificate, Pope In former Soviet countries, he empha- In 2002, when the pope created four of the Armenian Apostolic Church. John Paul II worked hard to advance sized the “ecumenism of martyrdom” and new dioceses in Russia, the Russian In relations with the Churches of the Christian unity in the East and West, said the heroic faith of all Christians Orthodox Church froze dialogue with the Reformation, it was at the pope’s invita- breaking down barriers with a combina- under communism was a resource for the Vatican and accused the Vatican of expan- tion that Catholic and Lutheran theolo- tion of personal gestures and official dia- future. sionism into what the Orthodox regard as gians developed an official joint declara- logue. His historic 24-hour pilgrimage to their “canonical territory.” tion that they share the same essential But in the end, the pope found that his Greece in 2001 overcame Orthodox oppo- In the months that followed, the belief in justification by faith—the core own missionary initiatives sometimes got sition and public protests, largely through Russian government expelled several doctrinal dispute behind the Reformation. in the way of his ecumenical dreams. a dramatic papal apology for the wrongs Catholic priests and one bishop, adding a The declaration was signed by officials of For the Polish-born pontiff, the failure of the past—including the sack of diplomatic dispute to the ecumenical crisis. both Churches in 1999. to travel to Moscow and greet Russian Constantinople by Western Christians dur- Whenever and wherever doctrinally Pope John Paul said he was particularly Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II was one of ing the Crusades. possible, Pope John Paul encouraged joint moved at Masses during his 1989 visit to the deepest disappointments of his papacy. But his visit to Ukraine the same year Christian prayer and, starting in 1994, he Scandinavian countries when Lutheran Ironically, it was the resurgence of raised new ecumenical tensions with the invited Orthodox and Protestant clergy bishops approached him for a blessing at small Catholic communities after the fall Russian Orthodox Church, despite the and theologians to write the meditations Communion time, symbolizing their of Soviet communism that pushed the trip pope’s call for mutual forgiveness and a for his Good Friday Way of the Cross ser- desire for the day when Catholics and into the “impossible” category. new chapter of dialogue. vice in Rome’s Colosseum. Lutherans could share the same Eucharist. The Russian Orthodox hierarchy The first major ecumenical act of Pope He used the dawning of the third mil- But in an encyclical on the Eucharist in resented what it called aggressive Catholic John Paul’s papacy was his November lennium of Christianity to stoke the twin 2003, the pope said a shared Eucharist evangelization in traditionally Orthodox 1979 visit to Greek Orthodox Ecumenical fires of spiritual renewal and ecu- among Christian Churches was not possi- lands. When the pope created four new Patriarch Dimitrios of Constantinople in menism—convinced, in the words of his ble until communion in the bonds of faith, dioceses for Russia in 2002, the door to Istanbul, Turkey. At that meeting, they 1995 encyclical, that “the commitment to sacraments and Church governance were Moscow swung shut for Pope John Paul. inaugurated an international Catholic- ecumenism must be based upon the con- “fully re-established.” The tensions between ecumenism and Orthodox theological dialogue. version of hearts and upon prayer.” That These and other statements disap- evangelization, and between dialogue and In a joint declaration in 1987, Pope encyclical, titled “Ut Unum Sint” (That All pointed those who had hoped for faster doctrine, ran through his pontificate from John Paul and Patriarch Dimitrios repudi- May Be One), became a topic of ecumeni- progress on sacramental unity. beginning to end. ated all forms of proselytism of Catholics cal dialogues around the world in the When the pope went to England in The pope called Christian unity a pas- by Orthodox or Orthodox by Catholics. years that followed. 1982, he and Anglican Archbishop Robert toral priority and said the Church was At Orthodox urging, the Catholic In it, the pope acknowledged that while Runcie of Canterbury announced the for- committed “irrevocably to following the Church rejected “uniatism”—the uniting Catholics view the bishop of Rome as a mation of the Second Anglican-Roman path of the ecumenical venture.” of a segment of an Orthodox Church with “visible sign and guarantor of unity,” the Catholic International Commission. The He gave the ecumenical movement a Rome—as a policy for future Catholic- notion of that papal role for the universal final report of the first international com- new impetus with an encyclical in which Orthodox union, but at the same time it Church “constitutes a difficulty for most mission—published in 1982 and covering he asked other Churches how the papacy affirmed the authenticity of Eastern other Christians.” Catholic-Anglican agreed statements on could better serve a reunited Christianity. Catholic Churches formed in the past He asked theologians and leaders of Eucharist, ministry and authority— Yet other Vatican documents from the under such a model. other Churches to help him “find a way of received a cool formal response from the same period emphasized the limits of dia- Those questions all came to the fore exercising the primacy” that could make it Vatican in 1991, but clarifications won logue on ecumenical questions like papal after the collapse of Soviet communism in a ministry of unity to all Christians. Vatican approval three years later. primacy, apostolic succession and even 1991, as Eastern Catholic faith communi- In 1993, the Church’s first revised ecu- The pope affirmed the work of the the use of terms like “sister Churches.” ties regained legal status throughout the menical directory in nearly a quarter cen- World Council of Churches with his Dialogue also stalled over such issues former Soviet empire. tury greatly expanded the principles and 1984 trip to its headquarters in Geneva. as the Anglican decision in 1994 to ordain In a 1992 document on post-communist applications of Catholic ecumenical rela- Almost every one of his 104 trips to other women priests. Russia, the Vatican called for ecumenism tions. nations featured meetings with leaders of In his final years, the pope traveled to in Catholic mission activity there, asking Pope John Paul met with heads of the other Christian Churches. several predominantly Orthodox countries Catholic authorities to avoid competition ancient Churches of the East, affirming The pope’s emphasis on ecumenism of the East, including Romania, Bulgaria, with the Orthodox and to assist in the Christological agreements with all the was far from accidental. In his own Armenia and Georgia. A frail figure on development of Orthodox pastoral initia- Oriental Orthodox Churches and signing words, he noted that, “The bishop of these last journeys, he won the hearts of tives. But despite Vatican assurances, local landmark declarations in 1994 with Rome must ensure the communion of all many Orthodox believers through his Orthodox communities viewed the Patriarch Dinkha IV, head of the Assyrian the Churches. ... He is the first servant of determination to witness the faith and Catholic resurgence as an attempt to Church of the East, and in 1996 with unity.” † The Criterion Friday, April 8, 2005 Page 23

Time CNS file photo

CNS photo courtesy of Karol Wojtyla Called by God to be

Vicar of Christ Father Karol Wojtyla was ordained in 1946. CNS photo from Catholic Press Photo CNS photo from Catholic Press Photo

Time magazine named Pope John Paul II “Man of the Year” in its 1994 year-end issue. The publication labeled him “a clerical superstar in almost perpetual motion.”

Infant Karol Wojtyla is held by his mother, Emilia, in this Infant Karol Wojtyla is pictured in an undated photo in undated photo. The future Pope John Paul II was born Wadowice, Poland. The future Pope John Paul II was the second on May 18, 1920, to Emilia and Karol Wojtyla in son of Karol and Emilia Wojtyla. His older brother, Edmund, was Wadowice, Poland. Emilia died in 1929. born in 1906. CNS file photo A young Karol Jozef Wojtyla, the future Pope John Paul II, is pictured with his father, also Karol, in a photo taken in the mid-1920s. Wife and CNS file photo mother Emilia died when Karol was 9. His older brother, Edmund, died CNS file photo of scarlet fever three years after their mother’s death. CNS photo from Catholic Press Photo

As bishop of Krakow in the 1960s, Karol Wojtyla, the future Pope John Paul II, was a prolific writer. In Rise, Let Pope John Paul II kneels in prayer at the foot of the Us Be On Our Way, published in 2004 and written about statue of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal on May 13, his years as bishop, the pontiff describes his confronta- 1982, a year to the day after an assailant shot and tions with Poland’s communist government and his seriously wounded him. The pope consecrated the efforts to create a new style of ministry. world to Mary at the Fatima shrine in 1982. CNS file photo

Karol Wojtyla is pictured at his first Communion on May 25, 1929. The future Pope John Paul II received the sacrament at the Church of Our Lady in Wadowice, Poland, one month after the death of his mother, Emilia.

Pope Paul VI and Cardinal Karol Wojtyla meet at the Vatican in this undated photo. Pope Paul VI, who served in Poland during his early priesthood, held the future Pope John Paul II in high regard. Page 24 The Criterion Friday, April 8, 2005 Archbishop celebrates memorial Mass for pope

By Brandon A. Evans In his homily, the archbishop spoke about the importance of the pontiff. About 1,000 people filled SS. Peter and Paul “His lengthy pontificate and the impact of his Cathedral in Indianapolis to standing-room-only for a stature mark the papacy like no other in recent his- noon Mass on April 4 to remember and honor the life tory,” he said. “The world was his mission.” Sean Gallagher Photos by and ministry of Pope John Paul II. He spoke of the power of John Paul II’s charisma Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein, along with several and of his teaching. priests, celebrated a memorial Mass for the late pope, “In a world of relativism, secular materialism and who died on April 2 at the Vatican. individualism, our pope held to a consistent vision of After the Mass, as the people left the cathedral under the truth that valued human life in all its dimensions,” the black cloth bunting that was draped over the main Archbishop Buechlein said. “His writings will be doors, the archbishop greeted them and spoke to the mined for decades to come. press. “Pope John Paul could speak of the dignity of the Freshly printed prayer cards of the late pope were human person with measured conviction because he also given to all those who attended the Mass. had experienced oppression personally as a young man, as a priests and as a bishop in Poland,” he said. Wanda “He suffered the reality of totalitarian regimes. Edmundson, a “He remarked once that what surfaced in his mind member of and heart was the confident conviction that the dignity St. Andrew the of the human person ultimately would win out over Apostle Parish atheistic ideologies.” in Indianapolis, The late Holy Father was a “credible spokesman” kneels in prayer for the poor because of his total commitment to his during the ministry and because of his own background. memorial “His great feeling for the dignity of work came with Mass for Pope the calloused hands of smashing rocks in a quarry in John Paul II his youth,” the archbishop said. “He had a deep empa- celebrated on thy for those for whom work is their only source of April 4 at human dignity. He had been there. And he once said SS. Peter and bluntly, ‘The Church is on the side of the poor, and Paul Cathedral that is where she must stay.’ ” K.P. Singh, a founding member of the Sikh community of in Indianapolis. The pope will also be remembered for his struggle Indianapolis, attends the memorial Mass for Pope John Paul II for “mainstreaming ecumenism in challenging and celebrated on April 4 at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis. uncertain circumstances,” the archbishop said, as well as for his deep love for youth. “Truly our Holy Father fought the good fight, he ran In his final days, Pope John Paul II because a wit- the race and he kept the faith,” he said. “He was a ness to the value of suffering, he said. splendid, holy pope. May he rest in peace.” †

Rabbi Yaakov Dov JEWS Bleich whispers to continued from page 21 Pope John Paul II with Israel’s Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Israel Meir Lau, the after the pontiff CNS photo from Reuters rabbi said afterward that the pope and he and his older prayed at the brother spent most of the time reminiscing about grow- Babi Yar Jewish ing up in Poland. The rabbi’s older brother, Naphtali memorial in Kiev on Lau-Laviv, had been born in Wadowice, and their June 25, 2001. Tens mother’s uncle had been rabbi there before World War II. of thousands of The pope remembered “names, addresses, houses, Ukrainian Jews were buildings, everything,” Rabbi Lau said. gunned down there Rabbi Lau said at one point he asked the pope about a in 1941 during a story of a young Polish priest after the war who had Nazi killing spree. refused a Polish Catholic couple’s request to baptize a Jewish orphan they had adopted, out of respect for the wishes of the boy’s dead parents. The pope told him he was that priest and still recalled the episode with emotion, the rabbi said. In his book Crossing the Threshold of Hope, Pope John Paul said of his relations with Jews, “I remember, above all, the Wadowice elementary school, where at least a fourth of the pupils in my class were Jewish.” Among them, he recalled Jerzy Kluger, a boyhood friend with whom he renewed his friendship after he was elected pope. Their meetings and correspondence were the subject of a book by veteran Vatican journalist Gian Franco Svidercoschi, “Letter to a Jewish Friend.” Rabbi James Rudin, senior interreligious affairs adviser to the American Jewish Committee, said that during the 1994 Vatican concert commemorating the Shoah—the Hebrew word for the Holocaust—the pope “was not in Rome; he was in Poland in 1939,” hearing the voices of Jews who were murdered. “In his talk afterward, he said, ‘They are crying out to us: Do not forget us, do not forget us,’” the rabbi said. Only an emergency summit of American Jewish exterminated were Jewish, many Jews found the crosses, The Church’s policy toward Jews “was not an acad- leaders with the pope at his summer residence in Castel a symbol of Christianity, offensive. emic exercise for him,” Rabbi Rudin added. “He Gandolfo, Italy, arranged by Cardinal William H. Keeler Pope John Paul intervened to get the crosses removed understood Jews not with his head only, but with his of Baltimore—then bishop of Harrisburg, Pa., and episco- and to help the Carmelite nuns move, turning their former heart.” pal moderator of U.S. Catholic-Jewish relations—saved convent into an interreligious prayer and study center. Such personal connections help explain the extraordi- the Miami meeting. After a five-year hiatus caused by the controversies, nary depth of the pope’s commitment to building In Miami, the pope repeated the promise he made at the International Catholic-Jewish Liaison Committee Catholic-Jewish bridges. But it takes another step to Castel Gandolfo, that the Vatican would publish a resumed its meetings in 1990. comprehend the theological insights into a positive Catholic statement on the Holocaust and anti-Semitism. At the pope’s urging, the Vatican established diplo- Catholic appreciation of Judaism that developed and Even that document, issued with a papal introduction matic relations with Israel in 1994, overcoming long- solidified as part of a changing Catholic cultural perspec- 11 years later, drew mixed reaction. standing arguments in upper Church circles that the tive during his papacy. It won universal approval for its “mea culpa’’ about Vatican should not recognize the state of Israel until the Some of those insights were honed in the fires of con- past Christian discrimination against the Jews and its status of Jerusalem and of sites sacred to Christianity was troversy. strong condemnation of the practices and ideas that led to resolved. This offered a diplomatic channel to deal with The pope’s meeting with U.S. Jewish leaders in the Nazis’ “final solution.” controversies that often included interreligious elements. Miami in September 1987 exemplified the tensions that But many Jewish leaders said they were disappointed In 1999, the Vatican and the International Jewish accompanied Catholic-Jewish rapprochement during his with the document’s distinction between Christian “anti- Committee for Interreligious Consultation formed a joint papacy. Judaism” and Nazi “anti-Semitism” and its defense of commission of scholars to study questions about Pope In the months before his 1987 U.S. visit, many Jewish Pope Pius XII’s policies during World War II. Pius and the Jews in World War II. After studying pub- leaders—already angered by a 1982 papal meeting with Another source of serious Catholic-Jewish tensions in lished materials for a year, the commission suspended its Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat—called for a boycott in the late 1980s was the existence of a Carmelite convent at work amid controversy over access to still-closed Vatican Miami because of the pope’s audience with Austrian the edge of Auschwitz and the planting of memorial archives from that period. President Kurt Waldheim, whose World War II ties to a crosses by Polish Catholics at the former concentration In 2003, the pope ordered the early opening of some Nazi military unit involved in war crimes had just camp to commemorate the 1.5 million people gassed to archival material related to Pope Pius and the war, so become public knowledge. death there and in nearby Birkenau. Since most of those scholars could better evaluate the period. † A supplement to Catholic newspapers published by Catholic News Service, 3211 Fourth Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20017-1100. All contents are copyrighted © 2005 by Catholic News FaithAlive! Service. Forgiveness is a fundamental part of family life

By H. Richard McCord things, never fails to hope and believe. In other words, true love is demanding. A middle-aged man patiently pleads I think the most difficult aspect of love with his elderly mother about taking her in a family is the giving and receiving of medication. A proud dad congratulates his forgiveness. Because family life is so inti- daughter on her team’s victory. A woman mate, the risk of hurting and being hurt is explains in hushed tones why she left ear- great. Because family ties endure, even Tarczynski) Greg by (CNS photo illustration lier in such a distressed state. beyond the grave, unhealed memories and On planes and trains, in terminals and lack of reconciliation can poison genera- taxi lines, I’ve overheard many cell-phone tions. conversations. Whether annoying, fasci- Forgiveness is often a family’s unfin- nating or embarrassing, what most have ished business. It is frequently the last in common is their ending: “I love you. thing a dying person needs to give or Goodbye.” receive in this life. What holds a family together? It may If the absence of forgiveness can tear a just be those ubiquitous cell phones as family apart, the practice of forgiveness well as e-mail, instant messaging and the can be seen as the bonding agent holding other communications tools so woven a family together. Quite simply, forgive- into our daily lives. Better yet, it may be ness is essential to family health, happi- the very act of communicating that ness and holiness. strengthens family ties. Earlier this year, a national news mag- Probing deeper, we discover that love azine ran a story titled “50 Ways to is really the basic message in family com- Improve Your Life.” The final item on a munication. So it is love, ultimately, that list of suggestions about eating right, get- keeps us together. ting organized, exercising, etc., is this What holds a family together? Love simple recommendation: “Forgive.” seems a true answer, but a general one. Forgiveness, the authors explain, is a Can we be more specific about love as the virtuous decision fundamental to all world “glue” that holds a family together? religions. It is also a healthy choice The decision to forgive is the glue that puts a family back together. Smaller acts of forgiveness and Many couples choose the Scripture because it brings significant mental and reconciliation are just as necessary in daily life. reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the physical health benefits. Corinthians (1 Cor 13:4-8) for their wed- Medical researchers find that people forgiveness stories ever told is about a parent whose child never worked hard ding liturgy. They know instinctively how who nurse grudges can be prone to low- family. In Luke’s Gospel (Lk 15:11-31), enough to have a medical career. good a roadmap it is for their future life. ered immunity levels, high blood pres- Jesus offers the parable about a wayward Depending on the depth of the offense, St. Paul describes love’s many faces in sure, depression and various stress-related son and his forgiving father. When the forgiveness will be anything but a breezy rather practical terms. Love is patient and ailments. If this is true for an individual, boy repented and asked for forgiveness, dismissal. Spiritual writers and coun- kind, not rude or self-seeking, not brood- how much more might it apply to a his father offered it readily and with a selors agree that forgiveness is a process ing over injury or rejoicing over wrong- family? clear awareness of its positive impact that sometimes extends over a long doing. It bears all things, endures all One of the most memorable within the family. The period of family period of time and contains the following estrangement and tension ended. Every- steps: one was free to feast and celebrate • Acknowledging the hurt and pain Families rely on commitment together. Even the older son, who was at caused to you. first indignant, was treated with new sen- • Visualizing the positive aspects of the By David Gibson risk—given life’s rapid pace—is that sitivity by his father, who drew him into one who offended you. family members will start taking each the loving circle of reconciliation. • Recalling instances when others for- A home is a place of hospitality. other for granted or slip into patterns of The decision to forgive, particularly gave you and reflecting on the gratitude Hospitality is accorded to guests from just living alongside each other. when there has been a huge offense you felt. outside the family. Good hosts make oth- Perhaps without meaning to, family against a family member, is the glue that • Considering the consequences of not ers feel welcome. members begin to make each other puts a family back together. Smaller acts forgiving. Family members also should extend uncomfortable because their manner of of forgiveness and reconciliation are just • Imagining forgiveness as a gift pri- hospitality to each other. It is essential treating each other isn’t particularly wel- as necessary in daily life. marily to yourself, freeing your life from that family members make each other coming. What needs to be forgiven in families? anger and resentment. feel welcome. We speak often of how forgiving the Just about everything: hateful words and • Asking for God’s help with the It’s hard to say exactly what makes a Prodigal Son’s father was. The father was hurtful actions, promises broken, respon- courage to forgive. family a family. forgiving and also welcoming toward his sibilities overlooked, slights and misun- • Celebrating the grace that finally Families are defined by the commit- son when he finally returned home. derstandings, the things we’ve done and brings you to the moment of forgiveness. ments of their members to each other and Hospitality isn’t just for guests. the things that we’ve failed to do. And then, in a typical family, doing all their love. Family members need to work at making Some offenses are major, such as infi- this again and again! Families are “places” of security, rest each other feel welcome at home every delity or abuse. Other things don’t call for or nourishment, of support, encourage- day. the same degree of forgiveness. They’re a (H. Richard McCord is the director of the ment and stimulation, and even of fun. matter of simply being reconciled to a sit- U.S. bishops’ Secretariat for Family, But families run a few risks. One (David Gibson edits Faith Alive!) † uation, such as the disappointment of a Laity, Women and Youth.) † Discussion Point Family life requires love, respect This Week’s Question “First, there’s love, which is all encompassing, then understanding each other and forgiving each other. ... What are two qualities that make a family a family? If we go into marriage not thinking of divorce as an “Respect for each other is one. ... It allows communi- option and truly believing that love can overcome all cation. Actually, once you have respect, values, love— obstacles, it will help the family stay together.” (David everything comes with it.” (Kate Kaczmarczyk, Buffalo, N.Y.) Vavasseur, Norfolk, Va.) “A caring spirit that manifests itself in love for each Lend Us Your Voice other. Next is faith in each other. Each must have faith An upcoming edition asks: What concrete steps have and trust in one another, and these two things will keep the family unit together because all else stems you taken to make time to be available to help others? from that.” (Kate Cole, Natchez, Miss.) To respond for possible publication, write to Faith “Communication is No. 1, and love and trust go hand Alive! at 3211 Fourth St. N.E., Washington, D.C. in hand.” (Evelyn Hamilton, Brandon, Fla.) 20017-1100. † Wiechec Nancy CNS photo by Page 26 The Criterion Friday, April 8, 2005 Perspectives From the Editor Emeritus/John F. Fink Research for the Church/ James D. Davidson Jesus in the Gospels: Did he blaspheme? Parishes’ impact See Mark 2:12, Matthew 9:1-8, Luke 5:17-26 We can marvel at the faith these five made a path for the man and his mat. men had—the paralytic and the four who If it’s true, as those learned in the law on members’ With Jesus healing the sick, blind and were carrying him. They were sure that thought, that only God can forgive sins, lame, his fame spread quickly. He could Jesus would heal him. Instead of doing and this miracle proved that Jesus had daily lives no longer go openly that, though, Jesus told the paralyzed authority to forgive sins, the conclusion into the city, but man, “Your sins are forgiven.” Those in must be that Jesus was God. Why, then, In a 1995 national survey, colleagues stayed in deserted the room were stunned! The paralytic didn’t he say so explicitly? and I asked Catholic parishioners to evalu- places. But he did go was undoubtedly disappointed: He We who believe in the Incarnation can ate their parishes. into Capernaum at wanted healing for his body, not just for understand that Jesus was the Second Overall, they gave times and stayed at his soul. Person of the Blessed Trinity, who parishes an A+ in Peter’s home. The others, though, were shocked. “He became man. But put yourself in the terms of friendliness. On one occasion, is blaspheming,” they thought. “Who but place of the Jews of Jesus’ time. They Their parish report the people learned God can forgive sins?” Healing by holy knew nothing about the Trinity, so what cards included Bs in that Jesus was there men was not unknown, but nowhere in would they have thought if Jesus said, three areas: the quality and such a large the Old Testament was there so much as “I’m God”? of the homilies, meet- crowd gathered inside the home that it a suggestion that any man, no matter how If they believed him, they would ing their spiritual was impossible for anyone else to get in. holy, could forgive sins. either have been so awestruck to think needs and the quality Some Pharisees and Jewish teachers Jesus could tell what they were think- that God was in their presence that they of the music. When it were there to see what Jesus was teaching, and the obvious answer would have would have been terrified. If they didn’t came to helping members make decisions ing. Four men arrived, carrying a para- been, “Well, I’m God.” Of course, he believe him, they would have been sure related to their work and family lives, lyzed man on a mat. Since they couldn’t didn’t say that in so many words. Instead, that he blasphemed—and the punishment Catholics gave their parishes a C+. get inside the door, they climbed to the he worked a miracle “so that you may for blasphemy was death. Later, in fact, Why do parishes get such a low grade roof, removed some of the clay and know that the Son of Man has authority when Jesus said, “Before Abraham was, I when it comes to their members’ daily straw, and lowered the man down to to forgive sins on earth.” He cured the am,” they did take up stones to try to kill lives? Is it because parishes don’t do much where Jesus was. (Can’t you just imag- paralytic, telling him to pick up his mat him. in this area? Or is it that the family-, work- ine Peter’s reaction to the damage to his and go home. We can be sure that, as Nevertheless, by his actions, Jesus and community-oriented activities they home?) crowded as the room was, the people was assuredly claiming to be God. † conduct aren’t very effective? A recent study provides some answers. In the 1998 National Congregations Cornucopia/Cynthia Dewes Study, directed by University of Arizona sociologist Mark Chaves, pastors or other Whether ’tis nobler in the minds of men to end it staff people in Catholic parishes and Protestant congregations were asked to Many of us were growing weary of lifelong battle with eating disorders, tried to be true to what he believed was provide data on many aspects of Church the media frenzy recently about the which finally caused her heart to fail and his wife’s wishes by taking her off artifi- life, including their programs and activi- right-to-live, right-to- put her in an unresponsive state in the cial support, to die quietly without pro- ties. In addition to questions about pro- die controversy over prime of life. But, even if it were true, longed suffering. On the other, we found grams related to worship and religious poor Terri Schiavo. did that make her a victim or a perpetra- parents who loved their daughter and education, they were asked if they offered Even worse, it was tor of her own problems? Should she be detected hopeful signs that she might programs related to topics such as parent- Easter time. To some, denied life supports because she recover and live a decent life. ing, problems at work, personal finances she was a “veg- “brought it on herself?” If we were authorized to judge, which and community issues. Here is what etable” who hap- On the other hand, is it respectful of we were not, how would we assess their Chaves found. pened to be able to God-given life to extend it beyond hope motivations? If the husband, who after Not surprisingly, virtually all Catholic breathe. To others, just because we can? Is it a sign of real all was betraying his marriage with a parishes and Protestant congregations she was a living per- faith to keep a person technically alive new partner and children, was just trying sponsored numerous opportunities for son trapped within an indefinitely with machinery or, rather, a to be rid of Terri, why didn’t he divorce worship and religious education. It is little unresponsive body, struggling to be rec- sign of real fear that we may be making her and let her parents take guardian- wonder, then, that Catholics give their ognized as alive. a terrible mistake if we don’t? ship? Is it possible he was determined to parishes good grades in areas such as In fact, none of us is privy to the Most of us wonder how the situation be faithful to his marriage vow “in sick- homilies, music and meeting members’ actual facts of the case. Even the got to where it did. According to the ness and in health?” And, if the parents spiritual needs. woman’s husband, parents and others reports, the husband and his in-laws believed Terri would “wake up,” why However, most Catholic parishes spon- close to her may have been confused or were friendly enough at first, even living should they abandon an innocent to a sored few, if any, programs in other areas uninformed about what happened when, together in the same house. But, when cruel death? Indeed, how could they not related to parishioners’ daily lives. Nearly why and for what motive. Emotions ran Terri fell ill, all cooperation between the keep fighting to keep her alive? two-thirds had not discussed parenting high on both sides, not to mention possi- parties began to disintegrate. In the end, it is God who decides such issues within the previous year. Three- ble elements of greed, jealousy, spousal That’s when the usual human failings matters, not the husband or the parents quarters had not sponsored speakers from abuse and in-law turf war. came into play, such as doubt and misun- or us. If we’ve learned anything from all social service groups. Eighty-eight to The media produced its usual sensa- derstanding. These were accompanied by this, it should be to let others know our 90 percent had not addressed issues of tional stories, complete with possible vil- human virtues of compassion and end-of-life wishes then persevere in race or the environment. More than lains and heroes, insinuations and facts responsibility, thus leading to the ulti- seeking God’s will until that end. 90 percent had not sponsored events that were conflicting or unclear. Not all mate dilemma. Despite all the hoopla, related to work or politics. judgments on either side seemed to be perhaps each side’s arguments were (Cynthia Dewes, a member of St. Paul Catholic parishes were most likely to based in Christian charity, or even reason. believable and worthy. the Apostle Parish in Greencastle, is a have conducted activities related to par- Some believed the woman fought a On one hand, we saw a husband who regular columnist for The Criterion.) † enting (36 percent) and social services (24 percent). Environmental issues (12 percent) and race relations (10 per- Faithful Lines/Shirley Vogler Meister cent) came in third and fourth. Less than 10 percent of parishes addressed issues The fine line between failure and success related to work or politics. In most of these areas, Catholic parishes “Many of life’s failures are people physical reasons that I cannot. I would we look too much at our faults instead were quite similar to Protestant congrega- who did not realize how close they were like to write a book of fiction, but know of looking for our strengths. tions, which also sponsored very few pro- to success when they that non-fiction prose and poetry are Strengths can be hidden until we ana- grams related to their members’ daily lives. gave up,” wrote more my forte. However, I might lyze the reasons for defeat. In that There were two areas where Catholic Thomas Edison become stronger or change my mindset process, we learn how to proceed. There parishes were even less involved than (1847-1931), the enough to eventually do the above. are even “failure analysis experts” to Protestant congregations. One of these had famous American Look at incapacitated athletes who help us. I’ve never approached one, but I to do with learning how to manage one’s inventor who was experience extraordinary odds against do rely on the wisdom of family, friends personal finances. The other involved awarded 1,368 sepa- participating in sports again, but actually or spiritual advisers for opinions, advice problems or concerns in the workplace. rate and distinct do. Almost everyone knows someone and support. This offers fresh perspec- There were no areas where Catholic patents during his who has accomplished something special tives when I feel that I’ve failed. parishes were significantly more involved lifetime. Obviously, against all odds, albeit physical or men- Most important, of course, are prayer than Protestant congregations. Edison was no quit- tal (or both)—in small and in formidable and the Mass, which nourish me when try- Non-Christian groups were most ter. How often are we? ways. ing to relinquish fear and move forward. likely to address issues related to these “I give up!” we quickly say when Sometimes it takes the failures to put I especially like what Blessed Mother areas of family, work and social life. frustrated about a project not going our us on the path toward success. Teresa of Calcutta said in Life in the These groups were noticeably more way—or when exasperated with a friend Publications, television and other Spirit: “Failure is nothing but a kiss involved than Catholic parishes and or family member who has tested our media consistently report pick-myself- from Jesus.” Protestant congregations in most of the good nature or patience once too often— up-by-the-bootstrap stories. Aren’t we Which reminds me of Protestant min- areas listed above. or when we just plain know we cannot always amazed and edified? Aren’t we ister Robert H. Schuller’s words: For more information on the National move forward any longer, no matter inspired and encouraged? Failures, no “Failure doesn’t mean God has aban- Congregational Study, see Chaves’s book what the situation is. matter what kind, can provide the impe- doned you, but it does mean God has a Congregations in America, or on the Along life’s ups-and-downs path, we tus to do ordinary and extraordinary better idea!” Internet log on to saint-denis.library. have challenges we choose to ignore or things better. arizona.edu/natcong. quit for logical or practical reasons. For We give up for lack of persistence, (Shirley Vogler Meister, a member of instance, as much as I would like to par- disbelief in our talents or capabilities, Christ the King Parish in Indianapolis, (James D. Davidson is professor of soci- ticipate in a charity marathon or walk— and the inability to see the whole pic- is a regular columnist for The ology at Purdue University in West or drive at night, I know because of ture, which is what God sees. Sometimes Criterion.) † Lafayette, Ind.) † The Criterion Friday, April 8, 2005 Page 27

Third Sunday of Easter/Msgr. Owen F. Campion The Sunday Readings Daily Readings Monday, April 11 Psalm 66:8-9, 16-17, 20 Sunday, April 10, 2005 Stanislaus, bishop and martyr John 6:44-51 Acts 6:8-15 • Acts 2:14, 22-33 author? (Unlike today, when signing Psalm 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30 Friday, April 15 another person’s name would be regarded • 1 Peter 1:17-21 John 6:22-29 Acts 9:1-20 • Luke 24:3-35 as deceptive and inappropriate, the cus- tom long ago was that this was the great- Psalm 117:1-2 est compliment.) Tuesday, April 12 John 6:52-59 Again, as is usual for weekends of the In any case, the reading shows how Acts 7:51-8:1-a Easter season, the Acts of the Apostles totally committed the early Christians Psalm 31:3cd-4, 6-7b, 8a, 17, Saturday, April 16 provides the first were to Jesus the Savior, and how aware reading for the they were that salvation had come 21ab Acts 9:31-42 Liturgy of the Word. through the Lord’s death and resurrec- John 6:30-35 Psalm 116:12-17 This reading recalls tion. John 6:60-69 an event similar to The last reading, from Luke’s Gospel, Wednesday, April 13 several others in Acts. is the powerful and lovely story of the Martin I, pope and martyr Sunday, April 17 Peter preaches, in the Risen Lord’s walk to Emmaus with two Acts 8:1b-8 Fourth Sunday of Easter name of all the disciples. Apostles. His Certainly a major point in this reading Psalm 66:1-3a, 4-7a Acts 2:14a, 36-41 remarks, or at least is its reference to a holy meal when the John 6:35-40 Psalm 23:1-6 those recorded in this journey was completed. The connection 1 Peter 2:20b-25 Scripture passage, are brief and crisp. with the Eucharist is too strong to over- Thursday, April 14 John 10:1-10 The term used by biblical scholars is look. Acts 8:26-40 that the selection is “kerygmatic,” draw- The Emmaus narrative appears only in ing from “kerygma,” the Greek word for Luke. However, it still is one of the most “message.” renowned and beloved passages in the The message given by Peter contains New Testament. these readings that Jesus never left us. He Apostles, whose spokesman inevitably the basic information about Jesus and Important in its message is the fact still taught the faithful on the trip to was Peter. about God’s plan of salvation. that, regardless of their devotion to Jesus, Emmaus. He still gave life in the The Lord lives! His presence is neither A few points are most important. the disciples still do not understand Eucharist at Emmaus. vague nor occasional. Rather, it is in the Despite the small number of Christians at everything. They need Jesus, even in After the Ascension, Jesus still met Sacrament and Word, given yet still by the time and the reality that the Jewish their sincerity and their faith, to help people and still reassured them of God’s the Apostles through the community of culture and the effects of Roman domina- them. Secondly, Jesus meets this need. mercy. He spoke, and speaks, through the the Church. † tion were overwhelming in society, the He teaches them. Thirdly, Jesus is present Apostles still felt the responsibility to with them. Finally, as they celebrate the Question Corner/Fr. John Dietzen speak aloud about Jesus. meal, with its eucharistic overtones, Jesus Put into the context of last weekend’s is the central figure presiding as they first reading, which described both the “break the bread.” Apocryphal Jewish scriptures early Christian community’s love for the Lord and its outreach to the troubled and Reflection needy, this reading reveals that these first Beginning with the Scriptural readings identify Uriel as an archangel followers of Christ believed that inform- for Easter itself, the Church has taken, ing others about the Redeemer was a lov- and is taking, pains to express to us As a grade-school religion teacher, I deceased in the house? One priest says it ing service. forcefully and clearly its unflinching Qbegin each year by discussing angels, is all right, but other priests have said that Secondly, here—as elsewhere in the belief that, after crucifixion and death, especially guardian it is not appropriate. (New Jersey) New Testament—even though the other the Lord Jesus rose to new life. angels. Apostles were present, Peter—and Peter With equal vigor and equally strong Recently, I have Two documents, “The Order of alone—spoke on their behalf. faith, it insists to us that Jesus did not rise seen religious cata- AChristian Funerals” and “Reflections The First Epistle of Peter supplies the and disappear. Instead, the Lord was with logues advertising on the Body, Cremation and Catholic next reading. the Apostles, showing Thomas his statues of an Funeral Rites,” which were published by Scholars debate the authorship of this wounds and blessing those who believe Archangel Uriel. Who the U.S. bishops in l997, explain the care epistle. Was Peter the author? Or was in his resurrection. is this? If he is an we should have for the bodies of our dead. someone writing in Peter’s name the Continuing in this vein, it tells us in archangel, why do we Both documents stress a preference for only hear about burial or entombment of the deceased, Michael, Raphael and even after cremation. My Journey to God Gabriel? (Maryland) The latter document expresses it clearly: “The remains of cremated bodies The name Uriel occurs in apocryphal should be treated with the same respect AJewish scriptures, the Books of given to the corporal remains of a human I Thought I Heard You Call My Name Enoch, as one of four archangels. body. Enoch, the Bible says, was the father “This includes the manner in which I sit in the sanctuary listening to the of Methuselah. The Book of Genesis they are carried, the care and attention to choir. (Gn 5:24) tells us that Enoch “walked appropriate placement and transport, and I listen to the readings and Psalm. with God, and he was no longer here, for their final disposition. The cremated The Gospel reading is a lesson in God took him.” This implies, so it was remains of a body should be entombed in humility and service— believed, that Enoch did not die, but— a mausoleum or columbarium [a burial the washing of feet. like the prophet Elijah (2 Kgs 2)—was place reserved for ashes after cremation]; I thought I heard you call my name. taken alive to heaven. they may also be buried in a common The three Books of Enoch were known grave in a cemetery.” The priest strips off his vestments and widely in the early years of Christianity. The document also explains that the bends to wash feet. Written around the time of Christ, they practice of scattering remains on the sea The hard shell surrounding my heart significantly influenced early Christian or on the ground, or keeping cremated cracks writings, including the New Testament. remains in the home of a relative or as I watch. They are the first to designate the friend, are not proper. I thought I heard you call my name. Messiah with names like the Son of Man, The same applies to the extraordinary the Righteous One (Acts 3:14) and the practice of dividing the cremated remains Incense permeates the altar as the thurifer Chosen One (Lk 9:35). for preservation in brooches, necklaces or goes by. In the New Testament, the Letter to the other jewelry. This, too, overlooks some At the procession, I carry, place and light Hebrews names Enoch as one of the important truths about our care for loved a candle. ancient heroes of faith who did not “see ones who have died. As the table is readied, death,” but was taken up to God Anthropologists often note that one another shard falls from my heart. (Heb 11:5). Other Christian theologians way we learn the quality of a culture’s I thought I heard you call my name. often refer to these books. The Letter of civilization is how they treat their dead. Jude quotes them at least once (Jude 14). We need to be sure that how we The Mass continues. With such a well-known work devot- respect our dead faithfully reflects our

It’s my turn to partake. Crosiers CNS photo by ing considerable attention to the angel Christian understanding of the meaning of Your vicar says, Uriel, among other things placing him in human life and death, and our faith in the “The body of Christ, Trudy.” The priest walks by carrying your charge of the netherworld, it is perhaps resurrection. My heart shatters. body as incense flows to heaven. understandable that even today certain I thought I heard you call my name. My heart is broken. religious groups honor him. (A free brochure answering questions that I thought I heard you call my name. Only the three angels named in the Catholics ask about cremation and other Through tears, I make my way back to Bible—Raphael, Gabriel and Michael— funeral customs is available by sending a my seat. By Trudy Bledsoe are honored by name in Christian history stamped, self-addressed envelope to and tradition. Father John Dietzen, Box 3315, Peoria, (Trudy Bledsoe is a member of St. Christopher Parish in Indianapolis and the Order of IL 61612. Questions may be sent to Secular Discalced Carmelites at the Monastery of the Resurrection in Indianapolis.) In the eyes of the Catholic Church, is Father Dietzen at the same address or by Qit permissible to keep ashes of the e-mail in care of [email protected].) † Page 28 The Criterion Friday, April 8, 2005

The Active List

The Criterion welcomes announcements of archdiocesan Family Planning class, 9-11 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Information: 317- April 11 April 15 Church and parish open-to-the-public activities for “The Information: 317-865-5554. 826-6000. Our Lady of Perpetual Help St. Michael Parish, 519 Jefferson Active List.” Please be brief—listing date, location, event, Church, 1752 Scheller Lane, Blvd., Greenfield. Natural Holy Name Parish, 89 N. 17th Our Lady of Fatima Retreat New Albany. Catholics Return- Family Planning class, 7-9 p.m. sponsor, cost and time. Include a phone number for verifi- Ave., Beech Grove. Annual House, 5353 E. 56th St., Indian- cation. No announcements will be taken by telephone. ing Home, 7-9 p.m. Information: Information: 317-462-2246. spring rummage sale, 8 a.m.- apolis. Spring Fling, $6 per per- 812-945-2374. Notices must be in our office by 5 p.m. Thursday one week 3 p.m. Information: 317-784- son, 2-5 p.m. Information: 317- Guardian Angels Church, 6000 in advance of (Friday) publication: The Criterion, The 5454. 545-7681. Our Lady of Fatima Retreat Preston Hwy., Louisville, Ky. Active List, 1400 N. Meridian St. (hand deliver), P.O. Box House, 5353 E. 56th St., Indian- Charismatic Mass, 7 p.m. Infor- 1717, Indianapolis, IN 46206 (mail); 317-236-1593 (fax), St. Malachy Parish, Noll Hall, St. Anthony Parish, 379 N. War- apolis. Prayer service for contin- mation: 502-239-0208. [email protected] (e-mail). 326 N. Green St., Brownsburg. man Ave., Indianapolis. Euchre ued renewal of Our Lady of Arts and Crafts Fair, food, crafts, party, 1:30 p.m. Fatima Retreat House and its April 15-17 April 8 Hill Dr., St. Meinrad. Weekend quilts, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Information: ministry, 5:30-6 p.m. Informa- Kordes Retreat Center, 841 E. Holiday Inn, Conference Center, 14th St., Ferdinand, Ind., Dio- Holy Rosary Church, 520 Stevens retreat, “Heaven–Let’s Go!” 317-852-3195. tion: 317-545-7681. State Road 46 West, Columbus. cese of Evansville. “Gospel of St., Indianapolis. Lumen Dei Benedictine Father Joseph Cox, First annual Catholic Pro-Life John” retreat, Benedictine Father meeting, Mass, 6:30 a.m., break- presenter. Information: Our Lady of Perpetual Help April 12 dinner and concert featuring Eugene Hensell, retreat director. fast in Priori Hall, Father Frank www.saintmeinrad.edu or Parish, 1752 Scheller Lane, New St. Gabriel Church, 6000 W. internationally known Catholic Information: 800-880-367-2777 Pavone, founder and director of [email protected]. Albany. Spring Prayer Breakfast 34th St., Indianapolis. “Catho- musician Tatiana in concert, or e-mail [email protected]. Priests for Life in Staten Island, for those who have lost a loved lics Returning Home,” six-week April 9 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner, N.Y., presenter, $15 members, one, Father Terry Tatro, speaker, series, session 2, 7:30-9 p.m. Christ the King Parish, Msgr. 7 p.m., and program by Father April 16 $20 guests. Information: 317-919- 9-11 a.m. Information: 812-945- Information: 317-291-5376. Tuohy Hall, 1827 Kessler Blvd., Frank Pavone, founder and Dow Building, second floor, N. 5316. 2374. E. Dr., Indianapolis. First annual director of Priests for Life in St. Paul Hermitage, 501 N. 17th 10th St. and D St., Richmond. Richmond Catholic Alumni, Catholic Pro-Life dinner and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Provi- Staten Island, N.Y., $25 adults, Ave., Beech Grove. Apprecia- St. Francis Hospital, 8111 S. evening of fellowship, music and concert featuring internationally dence Center, St. Mary-of-the- $20 students. Information: Arch- tion Mass and luncheon for vol- Emerson Ave., Indianapolis. art, 5-8 p.m., $15 per person. known Catholic musician Tatiana diocesan Office of Pro-Life unteers, 11 a.m. Mass, noon lun- Natural Family Planning class, Woods. “In Labryinth: Transi- Information: 765-966-4656 or in concert, 6:30 p.m., followed Activities, 317-236-1521. cheon. Information: 317-881- 7-9 p.m. Information: 317-865- tion Time,” 1-3 p.m., $15 per e-mail [email protected]. 5554. by dinner, 7 p.m., and program person, Christian Brother Barry 5818. by Father Frank Pavone, founder MKVS and DM Center, Rexville Donaghue, presenter. Informa- Ransburg Scout reservation, April 8-10 and director of Priests for Life in (located on 925 South, .8 mile April 14 tion: 812-535-4531. 7599 E. Waldrip Creek Road, Our Lady of Fatima Retreat Staten Island, N.Y., $25 adults, east of 421 South, 12 miles south Benedict Inn Retreat and Confer- Bloomington. Annual Archdio- House, 5353 E. 56th St., Indian- $20 students. Information: Arch- April 10 of Versailles). Mass, 3:30 p.m., ence Center, 1402 Southern Ave., cesan Scout retreat, 8 a.m.- apolis. Tobit Weekend, marriage diocesan Office of Pro-Life St. Simon the Apostle Parish, with Father Elmer Burwinkel. Beech Grove. Ave Maria Guild, 5:30 p.m., Mass, 4:30 p.m. Infor- preparation retreat. Information: Activities, 317-236-1521. Feltman Hall, 8155 Oaklandon Information: 812-689-3551 or spring card party, 11 a.m.- mation: 317-738-3929 or e-mail 317-545-7681. Road, Indianapolis. “The e-mail [email protected] 2:30 p.m. Proceeds benefit St. Vincent Hospital, 2001 W. Church and the Death Penalty,” or log on to Schoenstatt website St. Paul Hermitage. Information: [email protected]. Saint Meinrad Archabbey, 100 86th St., Indianapolis. Natural attorney Sarah Nagy, presenter, at www.seidata.com/~frburwink. 317-881-5818. Marian College, 3200 Cold Spring Road, Indianapolis. EcoLab, Conservation Day, major planting project, 9 a.m.- noon, wear work clothes, bring gloves. Information: 317-997- 8086 or e-mail dbauman@ marian.edu. April 17 St. Monica Church, 6131 N. Michigan Road, Indianapolis. Seventh annual Archdiocesan Don’t take chances SPRED Liturgy, Msgr. Joseph Schaedel, vicar general, presider, 3 p.m. Information: 317-236- 1448.

Marian Inc., 1011 E. St. Clair with chest pain. St., Indianapolis. SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral Parish, spring luncheon, noon, $25 per person. Information: 317-264-7544 or www.indianachamber.com.

Knights of St. John, 312 S. Or where you treat it. Wilder St., Greensburg. Spring Festival, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., chicken dinner, $7 adults, $3 children 5-10, children 4 and under free. Information: 812- 663-3985.

Our Lady of the Greenwood Church, chapel, 335 S. Meridian St., Greenwood. World Day of Prayer for Vocations, eucharistic adoration, 2 p.m. Information: 317-888-2861, ext. 0. The St. Francis Cardiac & Vascular Precious Blood Church, 1385 W. Care Center is the only full-service STOP 11 ROAD Sixth St., Jasper, Ind. (Diocese of Evansville). Charismatic Mass, heart facility on Indy’s south side. ST. FRANCIS SOCCER FIELDS praise, 3:30 p.m., Mass, 4 p.m.

If you are experiencing chest pain seek immediate I Information: 812-544-2239.

– 65 help. A false alarm is much better than waiting too Weekly long to seek treatment. But it’s also important to Sundays Holy Rosary Church, 520 Ste- get help from the right hospital. The St. Francis vens St., Indianapolis. Triden- tine Mass, 9:30 a.m. Informa- Cardiac & Vascular Care Center is the only heart tion: 317-636-4478. hospital on the south side that offers comprehensive SOUTH EMERSON AVENUE St. Rita Church, 1733 Dr. surgical and medical care. Continuing a 20-year Andrew J. Brown Ave., Indiana- polis. Mass in Vietnamese, tradition of making every second count with complete, 2 p.m. compassionate care. heart.StFrancisHospitals.org Christ the King Church, 1827 Kessler Blvd., E. Dr., Indiana- polis. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, 7:30-9 p.m., rosary for world peace, 8 p.m.

St. Gabriel Church, 6000 W. 34th St., Indianapolis. Spanish Mass, 5 p.m. Mondays CARDIAC & VASCULAR CARE CENTER St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 523 S. Merrill St., Fortville. Rosary, 7:30 p.m.

—See ACTIVE LIST, page 29 The Criterion Friday, April 8, 2005 Page 29

Indianapolis. Daughters of 6 p.m. Information: 317-831- Bloomington. Adoration of the The Active List, continued from page 28 Isabella, Madonna Circle meet- 4142. Blessed Sacrament, noon-6 p.m. ing, noon, dessert and beverages served. Information: 317-849- First Sundays St. Vincent de Paul Church, 1723 Our Lady of the Greenwood 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Benediction, Family Ministries, 317-236-1596 Marian College, Ruth Lilly Church, Chapel, 335 S. Meridian 5 p.m., Mass, 5:30 p.m. or 800-382-9836, ext. 1596. 5840. “I” St., Bedford. Exposition of Student Center, 3200 Cold the Blessed Sacrament after St., Greenwood. Prayer group, Spring Road, Indianapolis. St. Malachy Church, 326 N. Marian Center of Indianapolis, St. Joseph Church, 1375 S. 8:30 a.m. Mass-9 a.m. Sat., 7:30 p.m. People of Peace secular Green St., Brownsburg. Liturgy 3356 W. 30th St., Indianapolis. Mickley Ave., Indianapolis. 8-9 a.m., “Children of Hope” Franciscan order, noon-2 p.m. St. Roch Church, 3600 S. Penn- of the Hours, 7 p.m. Information: “12-Step Spirituality” tapes, Adoration of Blessed Sacrament, program, holy hour for children. Information: 317-955-6775. sylvania St., Indianapolis. Holy 317-852-3195. Dominican Father Emmerich 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Mass, 5:45 p.m. Information: 812-275-6539. Information: 317-244-9002. hour, 7 p.m. Vogt, narrator, 7:30 p.m. Infor- Fatima Knights of Columbus, Our Lady of the Greenwood Holy Name Church, 89 N. 17th mation: 317-924-3984. 1040 N. Post Road, Indiana- Marian Center, 3356 W. 30th St., Church, Chapel, 335 S. Meridian St. Vincent de Paul Church, 1723 Ave., Beech Grove. Mass, polis. Euchre, 1 p.m. Informa- Indianapolis. Prayer group, St., Greenwood. Faith-sharing Second Thursdays I St., Bedford. Catholic Women 8:15 a.m., eucharistic adoration tion: 317-638-8416. prayers for priests and religious, group, 7:30-9 p.m. Information: St. Luke Church, 7575 Holliday in Faith meeting, 7-9 p.m., open following Mass until 5 p.m. 317-856-7442. Dr. E., Indianapolis. Holy hour to women 18 yrs. and older. 9 a.m. Information: 317-257- St. Paul Church, 218 Scheller Benediction. Information: 317- 2569. for priestly and religious voca- Information: 812-275-6539. 784-5454. St. Lawrence Church, Chapel, tions, 7 p.m. Ave., Sellersburg. Prayer group, St. Thomas More Church, 1200 7-8:15 p.m. Information: 812- Cordiafonte House of Prayer, 6944 E. 46th St., Indianapolis. St. Peter Church, 1207 East Second Saturdays N. Indiana St., Mooresville. 246-4555. 3650 E. 46th St., Indianapolis. Adoration of the Blessed Sacra- Road, Brookville. Exposition of St. Agnes Parish, Brown County Prayers for vocations, rosary, Monday silent prayer group, ment, 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mass. the Blessed Sacrament after 8 Public Library, Nashville. eucharistic adoration, Benedic- First Mondays 7 p.m. Information: 317-543- Brown County Widowed Archbishop O’Meara Catholic a.m. until Communion service, St. Rita Church, 1733 Dr. Andrew tion, 6 p.m. Information: 317- 0154. Support Group, 3 p.m. Informa- Center, 1400 N. Meridian St., 1 p.m. J. Brown Ave., Indianapolis. 831-4142. Tuesdays tion and directions: 812-988- Indianapolis. Guardian Angel Adult Bible study, 6 p.m. Infor- Guild, board meeting, 9:30 a.m. Holy Guardian Angels Church, St. Joseph Church, 2605 St. Joe 2778 or 812-988-4429. Third Fridays mation: 317-632-9349. 405 U.S. 52, Cedar Grove. Road W., Sellersburg. Marian College, St. Francis Hall Third Sundays Chapel, 3200 Cold Spring Road, First Tuesdays Eucharistic adoration after 8 a.m. Shepherds of Christ rosary, Christ the King Chapel, 1827 Divine Mercy Chapel, 3354 W. Christ the King Church, 1827 Indianapolis. Catholic Charis- Mass-5 p.m. prayers after 7 p.m. Mass. Kessler Blvd., E. Dr., Indiana- 30th St., Indianapolis. Confes- Kessler Blvd., E. Dr., Indiana- matic Renewal of Central polis. Marian prayers for priests, sion, 6:45 p.m., Benediction of polis. Exposition of the Blessed Indiana, Mass and healing ser- SS. Francis and Clare Church, Holy Name Parish, 89 N. 17th 5:30-6:30 a.m. Sacrament, 2 p.m.-7 a.m. Mon- the Blessed Sacrament for voca- St., Beech Grove. Prayer group, vice, 7 p.m. 5901 Olive Branch Road, day, rosary, 8 p.m. Open until tions, 7:30 p.m. Greenwood. Mass, 8 a.m., ado- 2:30-3:30 p.m. Fatima Knights of Columbus, midnight. Third Saturdays 1040 N. Post Road, Indiana- ration, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Sacred St. Michael the Archangel Benedict Inn Retreat and Confer- Heart Chaplet, 8:30 a.m., Divine St. Joan of Arc Parish, 4217 polis. Euchre, 7 p.m. Informa- Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Church, 3354 W. 30th St., ence Center, 1402 Southern Ave., Mercy Chaplet, 3 p.m. Informa- Central Ave., Indianapolis. tion: 317-638-8416. Church of the Immaculate Beech Grove. “Women: No Bible sharing, 7 p.m. Informa- Indianapolis. Helpers of God’s tion: 317-859-4673. Conception, St. Mary-of-the- Precious Infants monthly pro-life Longer Second Class,” program, tion: 317-283-5508. Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Woods. Mass, 11 a.m., sign- 7-8:30 p.m. Information: 317- ministry, Mass for Life by arch- Christ the King Church, 1827 Parish Hall, 1125 S. Meridian interpreted. 788-7581. St. Luke Church, 7575 Holliday St., Indianapolis. Adult religious diocesan Office of Pro-Life Kessler Blvd., E. Dr., Indiana- Dr. E., Indianapolis. Marian Activities, 8:30 a.m., drive to polis. Exposition of the Blessed education, 7:30 p.m. Informa- Third Mondays St. Joseph Church, 2605 St. Joe Movement of Priests, prayer Clinic for Women (abortion Sacrament after 7:15 a.m. Mass- tion: 317-638-5551. St. Matthew Parish, 4100 E. 56th Road W., Sellersburg. Holy cenacle, Mass, 7-8 p.m. Informa- clinic), 3607 W. 16th St., Indian- 5:30 p.m. Benediction and ser- St., Indianapolis. Young hour for religious vocations, tion: 317-842-5580. Cordiafonte House of Prayer, apolis, for rosary, return to vice. Widowed Group, sponsored by Benediction and exposition of 3650 E. 46th St., Indianapolis. church for Benediction. archdiocesan Office of Family the Blessed Sacrament after Holy Spirit Church, 7243 E. 10th Thursday silent prayer group, Ministries, 7:30 p.m. Informa- Fourth Tuesdays Holy Rosary Church, 520 Ste- St., Indianapolis. Bible study, 7 p.m. Mass. 9:30 a.m. Information: 317-543- tion: 317-236-1596 or 800-382- Marian Center of Indianapolis, vens St., Indianapolis. Adora- Gospel of John, 7-8:30 p.m. 0154. 9836, ext. 1596. 3356 W. 30th St., Indianapolis. Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory tion of the Blessed Sacrament Information: 317-353-9404. “12-Step Spirituality” tapes, School, 2801 W. 86th St., after 5:45 p.m. Mass-9 a.m. St. Mary Church, 415 E. Eighth Third Tuesdays Dominican Father Emmerich Indianapolis. Indiana Autism Saturday. Information: 317-636- Cordiafonte House of Prayer, St., New Albany. Shepherds of St. Francis Medical Clinic, 110 Vogt, narrator, 7:30 p.m. Infor- and Sertoma Club meeting, 4478. 3650 E. 46th St., Indianapolis. Christ prayers for lay and reli- N. 17th Ave., Suite 300, Beech mation: 317-924-3984. 7-9 p.m., child care provided. Tuesday silent prayer hour, gious vocations, 7 p.m. Grove. Chronic pain support Information: 317-885-7295. Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 7 p.m. Information: 317-543- group, 7-8 p.m. Information: Fourth Wednesdays 5333 E. Washington St., Indian- 317-831-1177. 0154. St. Joseph Church, 125 E. Broad- St. Thomas More Church, 1200 First Fridays apolis. Exposition of the Blessed way, Shelbyville. Rosary and Third Wednesdays N. Indiana St., Mooresville. St. Charles Borromeo Church, Sacrament, prayer service, St. Joseph Church, 125 E. Divine Mercy Chaplet after 8 Holy Name Church, 89 N. 17th Mass and anointing of the sick, chapel, 2222 E. Third St., 7:30 p.m. † Broadway, Shelbyville. Rosary a.m. Mass. Ave., Beech Grove. Holy hour and Divine Mercy Chaplet after and rosary, 6 p.m. Information: 8 a.m. Mass. Fridays St. Charles Borromeo Church, 317-784-5454. Wednesdays chapel, 2222 E. Third St., Divine Mercy Chapel, 3354 W. Bloomington. Adoration of the St. Jude Church, 5353 McFar- First Communion Sets 30th St. (behind St. Michael Blessed Sacrament, noon-3 p.m., land Road, Indianapolis. Church), Indianapolis. Marian second, third and fourth Fridays. Rosary, 6:15 p.m. Information: White Damask Purse filled with prayers for priests, 3-4 p.m. 317-783-1445. items pictured right . . . $29.50 Information: 317-271-8016. St. Susanna Church, 1210 E. Main St., Plainfield. Adoration Archbishop O’Meara Catholic Our Lady of the Greenwood of the Blessed Sacrament, Center, 1400 N. Meridian St., Boys’ sets also available Church, Chapel, 335 S. Meridian 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Indianapolis. Catholic Widowed with similar items. St., Greenwood. Rosary and Organization, 7-9:30 p.m. Infor- Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 7 p.m. St. Lawrence Church, Chapel, mation: 317-784-1102. 6944 E. 46th St., Indianapolis. Immaculate Heart of Mary Adoration of the Blessed Sacra- Calvary Mausoleum Chapel, 435 Church, 5692 Central Ave., ment, Benediction and Mass, Troy Ave., Indianapolis. Mass, Indianapolis. Marian Movement 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. 2 p.m. We have everything for your First Communion needs! of Priests, prayer cenacle for Third Thursdays laity, 1 p.m. Information: 317- St. Lawrence Church, 6944 E. Our Lady of Peace Mausoleum 253-1678. 46th St., Indianapolis. Spanish Chapel, 9001 Haverstick Road, Hours: Krieg Bros. Established 1892 prayer group and conversation, Indianapolis. Mass, 2 p.m. Monday thru Friday Holy Rosary Church, 520 Ste- 7-9 p.m. Information: 317-546- 9:30 to 5:30 Catholic Supply House, Inc. 119 S. Meridian St., Indpls., IN 46225 vens St., Indianapolis. Adora- 4065. St. Elizabeth’s and Coleman tion of the Blessed Sacrament, Saturday (2 blocks South of Monument Circle • Across from Nordstrom, Circle Centre) Saturdays Pregnancy and Adoption 9:30 to 5:00 between Masses, noon-5:45 p.m. Services, 2500 Churchman Ave., 317-638-3416 or 1-800-428-3767 Information: 317-636-4478. Clinic for Women (abortion clinic), 3607 W. 16th St., Indianapolis. Pro-life rosary, SS. Francis and Clare Church, St. Lawrence Church—Lawrenceburg, Indiana 5901 Olive Branch Road, 9:30 a.m. proudly hosts a special evening with “Sister”!! Greenwood. Mass, 6:30 a.m., adoration of the Blessed Sacra- Holy Rosary Church, 520 Ste- TRI-COUNTY ment, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., rosary and vens St., Indianapolis. Triden- Divine Mercy Chaplet, 11 a.m., tine Mass, 9 a.m. ASPHALT Benediction, 8 p.m. Information: St. Patrick Church, 950 Prospect 317-859-HOPE. Paving Indiana Since 1948 St., Indianapolis. Mass in Eng- St. Rita Church, 1733 Dr. Andrew lish, 4 p.m. J. Brown Ave., Indianapolis. CALL FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATES St. Joseph Church, 2605 St. Joe Young adult Bible study, 6:15- Road W., Sellersburg. “Be Not 7:15 p.m. Information: 317-632- • ASPHALT DRIVEWAYS Afraid,” holy hour, 3:30- 9349. 4:30 p.m. • SEALCOATING St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Monthly Chapel, 46th and Illinois streets, Discounts for Senior Citizens Indianapolis. Prayer service for Second Mondays and non-profit organizations peace, 6:30-7:15 p.m. Church at Mount St. Francis. Holy hour for vocations to St. Thomas More Church, 1200 priesthood and religious life, CALL: 317-849-9901 N. Indiana St., Mooresville. 7 p.m. Mass, 6 p.m. Information: 317- 317-356-1334 831-4142. Second Tuesdays St. Pius X Parish, 7200 Sarto 317-862-2967 Thursdays Dr., Indianapolis. Support Holy Name Church, 89 N. 17th Group for Separated and LICENSED & BONDED BY THE CITY OF INDIANAPOLIS Ave., Beech Grove. Adoration Divorced Catholics, 7 p.m. Infor- Purchase tickets at St. Lawrence Church, 542 W alnut St. of the Blessed Sacrament, mation: Archdiocesan Office of Lawrenceburg, IN. A limited number of tickets are available. Page 30 The Criterion Friday, April 8, 2005

GOLD, Mildred Marie Brother of Suzanne Southern, James, Mark, Stephen and Tim and Richard N. Schuck. Brother (Wilson), 77, Holy Name, Jeanette and Timothy Hipskind. O’Shea. Grandmother of 23. of Jean McGlothlin, Fred and Beech Grove, March 27. Wife of Grandfather of 12. Great-grandmother of four. Jim Dole. Grandfather of nine. William Gold. Mother of Carol HUG, Harriett S., 64, St. Jo- PIERCE, Desmia D., 40, Great-grandfather of three. and Janet Taylor. Sister of Rest in peace seph, Indianapolis, March 14. St. Paul, Sellersburg, March 20. SHAW, Josephine M., 81, Eleanora Smith. Grandmother of Mother of Brenda, Michael and Mother of Logan Johnson. St. Barnabas, Indianapolis, five. Please submit in writing to our St. Roch, Indianapolis, March 16. Royce Hug. Daughter of Harold Daughter of Dr. Gene Pierce Sr. March 24. Wife of John Shaw. office by 10 a.m. Thursday Father of Dana Copes. GRANTZ, Roberta Lee, 67, Keil. Sister of Beverly Clapp, Sister of Cathy Paradise, Mela- Mother of Diane Butler and St. Augustine, Jeffersonville, Regina Carney and David Keil. Carol Steinmetz. Grandmother before the week of publication; BRINKER, Robert, 79, nie Prior, Holly, Gene Jr., Greg March 16. Mother of Lee Ann Grandmother of six. of five. Great-grandmother of be sure to state date of death. St. Andrew, Richmond, March and Mike Pierce, Austin, Chris Obituaries of archdiocesan Lamay, Beth, Pam, Bobby and KING, Morris, 73, St. Barnabas, and Vic Hunt. six. 23. Father of Ellen Coley, Ellane Mark Grantz. priests serving our archdiocese and Patricia Brinker. Grand- Indianapolis, March 25. Husband SCHAFER, Patricia J., 78, SIMPSON, Geraldine (Hieatt), are listed elsewhere in The father of two. Great-grandfather GRUNER, Jerry, 45, Sacred of Roberta King. Father of Mary St. Anthony of Padua, Clarks- 75, St. Anthony of Padua, Criterion. Order priests and of five. Heart, Indianapolis, March 30. King, Marlene and Morris ville, March 17. Mother of Clarksville, March 20. Mother religious sisters and brothers Husband of Donna (Medcalf) Brown. Grandfather of four. of Bette Gies, Janet Hellinger, BUHLER, Marie C., 85, Dawn Cain, Celine Day, Marty, are included here, unless they Gruner. Father of Jeremy and Great-grandfather of two. Deborah McDonough and St. Matthew, Indianapolis, Rick and Rob Schafer. Grand- are natives of the archdiocese Joshua Gruner. Son of Jackie Theodore Simpson. Sister of March 16. Mother of Mary Lacy KREMER, LeRoy N., 88, mother of 12. Great-grand- or have other connections to it; Gruner. Brother of Eddie Shirley Evans, Barbara Reuben, and A. Christopher Buhler. St. Barnabas, Indianapolis, mother of six. those are separate obituaries Gruner. Dorothy Westcott and Russell Grandmother of five. March 22. Husband of Kathleen SCHOETTMER, Mary Joan, on this page. GUIMONT, Richard Dillane (Mitchum) Kremer. Hieatt. Grandmother of seven. CLARK, John Joseph, 83, 77, St. Mary, Greensburg, ANDRES, William, 87, Lefebvre, 96, St. Matthew, Father of Deborah Bullington, Great-grandmother of seven. Holy Cross, Indianapolis, March 23. Wife of Leonard St. Augustine, Jeffersonville, Indianapolis, March 11. Hus- Karen, Daniel and Kenneth TODD, John Richard, 84, Feb. 9. Brother of Virginia Clark Schoettmer Sr. Mother of Joyce March 13. Husband of Jeanne band of Roberta Guimont. Kremer, John and Michael St. Mary, Rushville, March 26. and Margaret Werner. Comer, Mary Ann Smith, Andres. Father of Barbara, Bob Father of William Kayler, Mitchum. Brother of Aloysius Charles, Joseph, Leonard, Uncle of several. DOLD, Clara Elizabeth, 92, and Robert Kremer. Grandfather and William Andres. Grand- Richard and Rodney Guimont. Patrick, Stanley and Stephen St. Paul, Sellersburg, March 23. Brother of Aldoma Guimont. of four. Step-grandfather of six. WARREN, Caroleen, 48, father of two. Schoettmer. Sister of Lois Mother of Betty Fraley and Grandfather of 18. Great-grand- Great-grandfather of five. Step- St. Michael, Greenfield, Laudick, Luella Lecher, Elvera BECKER, Clara L., 95, Carolyn Ann Hamm. Sister of father of 13. great-grandfather of two. March 19. Wife of Steven Wissel, Bernard, Edgar and St. Augustine, Jeffersonville, Antoinette Lukemeier and Frank Warren. Mother of Benjamin HALL, Walter Lee, Jr., 75, MARSHALL, John H., 84, Vernon Harpring. Grandmother March 16. Mother of Harold and Ulrich. Grandmother of six. and David Warren. Daughter of James Becker. Sister of Dorothy Holy Cross, Indianapolis, Our Lady of Lourdes, Indiana- of 20. Great-grandmother of two. Joyce Jensen. Sister of Kenneth Great-grandmother of nine. Jan. 19. Father of Autumn, Fran, polis, March 22. Husband of Rogers and Louis Weber. Grand- SCHUCK, Edward C., 84, Jensen. mother of two. Great-grand- DORAN, R. Vernelle, 76, Good Kathleen, Timothy and Walter Joan (Smerdel) Marshall. Father Shepherd, Indianapolis, Hall III. Son of Ethel (Downs) of Jean-Marie, Daniel and John Holy Guardian Angels, Cedar WIENCEK, Bernice, 93, mother of seven. Great-great- Grove, March 26. Husband of St. Barnabas, Indianapolis, grandmother of one. March 24. Mother of Michele and Walter Lee Hall Sr. Brother Marshall. Brother of James Farris, Christopher and Michael of Madonna Crabtree, Virginia Marshall. Grandfather of one. Hazel (Clark) Schuck. Father of March 20. Grandmother of BOGENSCHUTZ, Michael, Diane Alig, Diane, Richard E. several. † Doran. Grandmother of two. Deardorff and James Hall. McGRATH, Patricia J., 86, 46, Holy Family, Oldenburg, Great-grandmother of one. Grandfather of four. March 27. Husband of Lois St. Mary, New Albany, March (Hudepohl) Bogenschutz. Father FELLERMAN, Raymond HIPSKIND, James Norman, 23. Sister of Elizabeth McGrath. Bills to protect women of Jeffrey Bogenschutz. Brother George, 84, St. John, Osgood, 71, St. Matthew, Indianapolis, McHUGH, Michael Patrick, of Teresa Hall, Deb Hartman, March 21. Father of Mary Carol March 21. Husband of Juliane 51, Immaculate Heart of Mary, and unborn advance in Brackett, Donna Tracey, Sondra, Hipskind. Father of Maureen Judy Wilson, Tom and Tony Indianapolis, March 23. Husband Carl, Michael and Raymond Lowell, Suzanne McHugh, Bogenschutz. of Jeanne (O’Connor) McHugh. state legislature Fellerman. Grandfather of nine. Anne, James, Kevin and Jesuit Father of Anthony, Christopher BRANCHEAU, Timothy, 67, Great-grandfather of seven. Father Timothy Hipskind. and Kevin McHugh. Son of By Brigid Curtis Ayer Agnes (Budenz) McHugh. Brother of Mary Binkley, Angela At a time when respect for life, on the national scene—as Hert, Kathy Threewits, Margaret, in the Terri Schiavo case—seems to be at an all-time low, David and James McHugh. legislative efforts in Indiana to protect life at its earliest MILLER, Lu, 63, St. John, stages appear hopeful as three life bills advance in the Osgood, March 26. Wife of John Indiana General Assembly. Miller. Mother of Pam Thomas, Senate Bill 568, which would require the Indiana Depart- Roger and Ron Miller. Sister of ment of Health to regulate abortion providers for the first Linda Fryer, Joe, Les and time in the state’s history, passed the Indiana House of Richard Schmidt. Grandmother Representatives on second reading without being amended. of six. The bill was originally about regulating birthing centers, O’BRIEN, Peggy Beth (Bass), but was amended during a recent House Public Policy and 62, St. Jude, Indianapolis, Veterans Affairs Committee to include the abortion regula- March 17. Wife of Michael tion language from House Bill 1607, which died earlier this O’Brien Sr. Mother of Michelle year. Almond, Debbie and Bob Bag- ley, Christine and Chuck Black- Glenn Tebbe, executive director of the Indiana Catholic hurst, Jill and Larry Fanning, Joy Conference, said “Senate Bill 568 not only authorizes the and Scott Ortwein, Robert and Indiana Department of Health to create regulations for these Shirley Ortwein, Michael and clinics but it [also] requires them to do it.” Julie O’Brien Jr. Daughter of Tebbe said that the standards for the abortion clinics will Imogene Bass. Sister of Greg be determined by the Indiana Department of Health as well Bass. Grandmother of 14. as others who are concerned about public health. O’SHEA, Margaret M. Although Senate Bill 568 has not been passed by the leg- (Bushman), 77, St. Matthew, islature yet, Tebbe said, “The fact that there were no amend- Indianapolis, March 10. Mother ments proposed on second reading is a good sign that the bill of Kathleen Hermann, Mary should pass the House with strong support.” Redmond, Brian, Christopher, The House vote on the third reading was 75-18, and included amendments. It now will return to the Senate. Americans United for Life, a national pro-life and ATTORNEYS AT LAW bioethics law firm, produces an annual document called State Report Cards. Indiana was ranked 27 out of 50 states in terms WOOD, TUOHY, GLEASON, of abortion regulation laws that require informed consent and MERCER & HERRIN, PC other regulations that protect the mother and unborn child. do you Another life bill, SB 76, the ultrasound bill, passed the Serving Indiana Families since Litigation Indiana House of Representatives with a bipartisan vote of Adoption 83–13. Sen. R. Michael Young (R-Indianapolis), author of 1928, the Indiana Catholic the bill, explained that it gives women the right to obtain Business and Corporate know ultrasound or fetal heartbeat information if they want access Conference since 1969 and the Church Law to it. Archdiocese since 1975. Mortgage Law “The goal is, as more women gain more information in Real Estate making these decisions, that they will do the right thing—and General Practice in All Courts. Did you know that the Archdiocesan Council of Employment Law that means fewer abortions,” Young said. the Society of St. Vincent de Paul can help leverage Since SB 76 was not amended, it goes directly to William J. Wood, Estate Planning every one dollar you contribute to obtain over $14 worth of food to feed the needy 52 weeks of the year? Gov. Mitch Daniels for his signature or veto. The governor is John S. (Jay) Mercer, Nonprofits expected to sign the bill into law. Todd H. Belanger, Wills We can because we are a 100% volunteer organization A measure to ban human cloning, SB 268, survived sec- Jennifer D. McNair, and we stretch every one dollar to obtain $14 worth ond amendment challenges to weaken the ban. Of the Trusts of food!! Stephen M. Koers, amendments that failed, one would have amended the bill to Powers of Attorney Jennifer R. Fitzwater, We feed more than 1,300 poverty level families per allow women to sell ova (eggs). Other proposed amendments Accidents and Injuries week through our Client Choice #ood Pantry. We Daniel S. Tomson that failed would have restricted reproductive cloning only, provide food and clothing for the homeless and but permitted therapeutic cloning for research purposes. Insurance household necessities and other emergency aid OF COUNSEL Workers Compensation to the poor. “Therapeutic cloning destroys the embryo, and the Church John L. Mercer, Zoning opposes embryonic stem cell research for that reason,” Tebbe We need your help. Thank you for said. John Q. Herrin, helping us do Christs work. Sue Tuohy MacGill The cloning ban measure now moves to be voted on by 3400 Bank One Center Tower Make checks payable to: P.O. Box 44942 the Indiana House of Representatives. RETIRED Indianapolis, IN 46244-0942 Tebbe said he expects the cloning ban measure to pass the James L. Tuohy, Phone: 317-636-3551 House, but since the bill was amended in a House committee, Fax: 317-636-6680 it must go back to the Senate. Charles T. Gleason, www.indylegal.com Eugene E. Henn Email: [email protected] (Brigid Curtis Ayer is a correspondent for The Criterion.) † The Criterion Friday, April 8, 2005 Page 31

Prayers Answered ...... Real Estate ...... THANK YOU St. Joseph, Jude, Buying, Selling or Classified Directory Mary, Jesus for answering our Building a Home? For information about rates for classified advertising, call (317) 236-1572. prayers. T.A.L. I can help! Breeden Realtors® Vacation Rentals ...... Home Improvement ...... For Sale ...... For Sale ...... BEACHFRONT CONDO, Maderia CALVARY Mausoleum Buliding III, Columbus, IN area Beach, Fl. on the Gulf of Mexico, HOUSEHOLD HANDYMAN Washington Park East B1-Level Companion Tier A, 2BR/2BA, pool. March through Painting, Kitchen & Bath 2 companion crypts, Island Ct. Alcove H, Inside. Sell for Jan Stone, GRI, CRS November. Meet Indpls. owner. See Remodeling, Residential Roofing $8,000.00. Call 317-255-8781. Steve J. Sergi Broker Associate photos, maps. Call Scooter at 317- All Types General Home Repair Sect. GG, $12,000 current value Broker/Owner 257-2431 Dependable/Insured/Family Man Will sell for $8,900 See your ad 317-507-5883 FREE NEW SMYRNA Beach, FLA. ESTIMATES 317-357-8955 Call 317-894-5935 here next week! Business: 812-378-7950 Oceanview condo, fully furn. 2 Call today 317-236-1572 Fax: 812-378-1706 BR/2BA., 2 pools & tennis. Visit Disney, Epcot, NASA, & enjoy the Realty Mart [email protected] beach, too! Phone 386-427-5376 Gutter ...... Adult Medicine ......

INDIAN ROCKS Beach, FL. Pri- vate 2BR/2BA condo facing beach, KELLY’S ADULTADULT MEDICINEMEDICINE && LASERLASER on Intercostal, gorgeous pool, GUTTER SERVICE Serving Our secure bldg., covered parking. SKINSKIN CARECARE CENTERCENTER Gutter Cleaning Community for over Available 5/05–12/05 $600 wk/ Norrisa N. Johnson, M.D. $1800 month. 317-422-1004 Free Estimates • Minor Repair 20 years! 862-9377 8424 Naab Rd., Suite 3P FT. MYERS, Florida, on the beach. Great view. $475/wk. 317- Indianapolis, IN 46260 823-9880. Roofing ...... 802-9912 RE/MAX at the Crossing VACTION RENTAL Hilton Head. D & S ROOFING Accepting New Patients 2BR/2BA, Villa $800 wk. 502-964- 24-hour service! Tom Mattingly Tom Williams (317) 595-1900 4941 Rubber, torch downs, hot tar roofs, Now reroof and tearoffs. Cindy Sylvester Peggy Verdun www.indyhomeonline.com • Any large or small repairs Offering: GULF SHORES LUXURIOUS • Wind or hail damage repairs BEACHFRONT CONDOS Call Dale for free estimates! 317-357-4341 Fully Furnished. Indoor/Outdoor Pools. Licensed • Bonded • Insured Plumbing ...... Positions Available ...... 1, 2, 3 & 4 BR. Owner Direct saves 25 years experience • References available you $$. Call Chris 1-800-713-6435 Campbell Group, Inc. APPLY TODAY! ERA [email protected] or It pays to advertise in Weilhammer Since 1901 MARINA AT GEIST www.babeachproperties.com Scotts Lawn Service is in need of: The Criterion Plumbing Sales Representatives & Lawn OFFICE (317) 576-0700 Patronize Our Advertisers Call 317-236-1572 (317) Technicians TOLL FREE 877-576-0500 • Drug Screen • Full Benefits 784-1870 FAX: (317) 576-0660 Asphalt Paving ...... Wall Covering ...... • Sign On Bonus CELL (317) 339-0613 We sell & install Apply in Person at: E-MAIL: [email protected] Mulinaro’s Water Heaters 13053 Parkside Drive Jan Campbell ROWE PAVING CO. Wall Covering Service Fishers, IN 46038 Realtor/Broker Water Softeners 317-596-7830 • Residential Driveways Installation & Removal TO HELP YOU WITH ALL Interior Painting Toilets/Faucets Or at: www.scotts.com YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS • Commercial Parking Lots Established 1983—Insured Scotts Lawn Service is an EOE Garbage Disposals dedicated to a culturally diverse Call 852-0102 or 898-3373 Free Estimates Call 317-535-4904 FREE ESTIMATES drug-free workplace. Mortgages ...... Tell our Positions Available ...... GUARANTEED LOWEST RATES WITH advertisers Junior/Senior High Princpal Sales Rep SAME DAY APPROVALS New Purchase—All types of you got their Seton Catholic High School in Richmond, Flexible Hours, Work from Home mortgages available Brice Scobell–owner name from Indiana, is accepting applications for The Criterion is seeking a part-time advertising (St. Augustine parishioner-LSP Principal for the 2005-06 academic year. sales representative to develop new advertising volunteer) accounts, primarily in southern Indiana and north- 317-575-1970/866-557-9910 Seton is a small junior/senior high school Indiana Federal Finance LLC TheCriterion that opened in 2002. It currently has 130 ern Kentucky. This is a part-time position that is students. The school seeks an energetic, compensated on a straight-commission basis. It is Floor Coverings ...... visionary leader. An applicant must be a ideal for someone with previous sales experience practicing Catholic who is committed to who is looking for flexible hours and would enjoy BROTHERS FLOOR COVERING academic excellence and the highest ideals working from home. Please send cover letter, Since 1952 of Catholic Education. résumé, and list of references, in confidence, to: Residential & Light Commercial Specialists Ed Isakson, Director, Human Resources Sales & Installation Send confidential résumé by April 15, 2005 Archdiocese of Indianapolis Elegant Line of Carpets • Area Rugs • Hardwood Floors to: P.O. Box 1410 Ceramic Tile • Vinyl Mickey Lentz Indianapolis, IN 46206 http://brothers.flooringplus.com 1025 E. 54th Street • Indianapolis Office of Catholic Education E-mail: [email protected] ANGIE’S LIST SUPER SERVICE AWARD® Fax: (317) 261-3389 Indianapolis P.O. Box 1410 251-0739 2001, 2002, 2003 Indianapolis, IN 46206-1410 Equal Opportunity Employer Classified Coupon St. Joseph University Parish Director of Lifelong 2 Lines, 1 Week for $13.00 • $2.00 for each additional line Director of Music and Liturgy Write your classified ad on this coupon and send it to us with payment. This coupon DOES NOT APPLY to Commercial Business ads. Commercial advertisers may St. Joseph University Parish, an active parish of approxi- Faith Formation call (317) 236-1572, for commercial rates. Write your ad below with ONE WORD mately 750 households with a substantial campus ministry, The Catholic Community of Our Lady of Perpetual PER SPACE, including the phone number you want in your ad. invites applications for the position of Director of Music and Ad: (four words per line) Classification: (for sale, etc.) Liturgy. As Director of Music, this person is responsible for Help in New Albany, Ind. is seeking a full-time ______the effective preparation, coordination, leadership, and per- director of lifelong faith formation to implement formance of music for parish liturgies. ______and oversee parish faith formation programs at all $13.00 As Director of Liturgy, this person is responsible for the levels beginning July 1,2005. ______$15.00 training, coordination and catechetical development of litur- Applicant should embrace whole community cate- ______gical ministers, requiring good communication and manager- $17.00 ial skills. chesis, have a love for the Catholic faith, knowledge ______of and commitment to the archdiocesan faith forma- $19.00 Compensation will be commensurate with education and Deadline: Wednesday, noon, 8 days in advance of Friday publication date. tion guidelines and curriculum plus the ability to experience. Applicant screening begins immediately and con- Name tinues until the position is filled. Please submit your letter of work as a team with catechists, youth ministers, interest along with a current résumé to: RCIA team, school personnel, and pastoral staff. Address Phone Mail this coupon with payment to: Search Committee: Please direct inquiries/résumés to: Classified Ads, The Criterion P.O. 1717 Director of Music and Liturgy Harry Dudley, Office of Catholic Education Indianapolis, IN 46206-1717 St. Joseph University Parish Archdiocese of Indianapolis Or charge my: ❏VISA ❏MasterCard 113 South 5th Street 1400 N Meridian St. Indianapolis, In. 46202. Card # ______Exp. Date ______Terre Haute, IN 47807-3577 Signature ______E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] Page 32 The Criterion Friday, April 8, 2005 Schiavo’s death mourned, raises questions for society WASHINGTON (CNS)—The plight of Terri Schiavo, It was under a court order that her feeding tube was increasingly devalued and violated, especially where that who died on March 31 nearly two weeks after her feeding removed on March 18, based on Michael Schiavo’s testi- life is most weak and fragile.” tube was disconnected, raised critical questions for society, mony that his wife had told him she would not want to be He said he prayed that the “human tragedy” of Schiavo’s according to Baltimore Cardinal William H. Keeler, chair- kept alive artificially. situation “will lead our nation to a greater commitment to man of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities. In a statement issued shortly after she died, Cardinal protect helpless patients and all the weakest among us.” Schiavo, 41, had been in what doctors defined as a per- Keeler said Schiavo’s situation raised the question of how Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said he hoped sistent vegetative state since 1990, when her brain was to care for the most helpless patients who cannot speak for that Schiavo’s death “rightly disturbed consciences. deprived of oxygen after her heart stopped beating. Doctors themselves. “There is no doubt that no exceptions can be allowed to appointed by the courts had said she had no real conscious- He cited the comment of Pope John Paul II last year at a the principle of the sacredness of life from the moment of ness or chance of recovery. conference on end-of-life medical ethics that “the adminis- conception until its natural end,” Navarro-Valls said. However, her parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, fought tration of food and water, even when provided by artificial “Besides being a principle of Christian ethics, this is also a with her husband, Michael Schiavo, for seven years over means,” should be considered morally obligatory, as long principle of human civility. We can only hope that this dra- the right to make medical decisions for her. as it provides nourishment and relieves suffering for the matic experience leads to a maturation among the public of They tried unsuccessfully to persuade state and federal patient. a greater awareness of human dignity and leads to a greater courts at all levels that they should have the right to care Cardinal Keeler quoted poet John Donne, saying “Any safeguarding of life, including on a legal level.” for her, and, later, that her feeding tube should be rein- man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in Cardinal Renato Martino, head of the Pontifical Council serted. mankind.” for Justice and Peace, said Schiavo’s death represented “a Their last appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court was rejected “We are all diminished by this woman’s death, a death homicide in which it is impossible to idly stand by without without comment hours before she died at a hospice in that speaks to the moral confusion we face today,” said becoming accomplices.” Pinellas Park, Fla. Cardinal Keeler. “Ours is a culture in which human life is Prior to the announcement of her death, Cardinal Martino said that not allowing for the reinsertion of a feeding tube represents “an unjust death sentence of an innocent person.” He said having Schiavo die of starvation and thirst was “one of the most inhumane and cruel” ways to die. “Beyond the possible political exploitation” of the Schiavo case, her “painful, heartbreaking agony” should be enough to force humanity to prevent what will be an other- wise tragic end to her life, he said. Miami Archbishop John C. Favalora said the Schiavo case demonstrates the need to have laws that “protect life from conception in the womb to natural death, without exception.” His statement said he prayed for Schiavo to enjoy peace with God, for God to “have mercy on those responsible for her death by starvation” and that people who respect life would “continue to stand courageously for this justice issue.” Archbishop Favalora encouraged people to arrange to have living wills to prevent confusion about their wishes. He cautioned, however, that such wills “must not contain anything that is contrary to life. “Food and hydration ... is not considered artificial except when it worsens the individual’s medical condition or when death is imminent,” Archbishop Favalora wrote. Los Angeles Cardinal Roger M. Mahony said that the Schiavo case may motivate others to prepare for their own deaths through their own religious beliefs and traditions. “Without knowing it, Terri Schiavo has offered us a moment to pause and reflect deeply upon life and death issues—issues most of us would not have discussed among ourselves,” he said. In Britain, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor of Westminster, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, said it was a “moral obligation to provide a person with food and water unless the means of doing so become useless or unnecessarily burdensome. The removal of Terri Schiavo’s means of nourishment has delib- erately brought about her premature death, and I regret this very much.” † CNS photo from Reuters

Terri Schindler Schiavo is shown here with her mother, Mary Schindler, in a photograph taken in late 2001. Schiavo died on March 31 nearly two weeks after her feeding tube was disconnected. Schiavo, 41, had been in what doctors defined as a persis- tent vegetative state since 1990, when her brain was deprived of oxygen after her heart stopped beating. Doctors appointed by the courts had said she had no real consciousness or chance of recovery.

criteriononline.com