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Reflection on the Life of John Paul II

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Reflection on the Life of John Paul II 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.
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