Pope.....maybe?

[Michele 1]

The Pope is passing. The death door has been shut, from what I've heard.

And in this moment, irrespective of belief personal or spiritual, this was an amazing man. His life is one to be understood - not simply in the realm of the catholic church, but in the world in total.

I am not a catholic, but a dear friend gave me a holy scapula about 18 months ago when I was enduring my surgeries. He sent it to me as a symbol of faith, and of compassion. I've had the scapula with me since the day it was given. It has lead to a deeper understanding of a church I am not affiliated with, and a respect which has deepened for the leader of this church and his affect on the world.

And so I'm left with the thought only that while I may not have always appreciated, liked, or even understood the song, the singer was always magnificent. Be enbraced, then, with the kiss of millions, as you pass into heaven, and into the hands of God.

Ciels-
Michele

~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek
While our hearts lie bleeding?~

[DrunkMonkey 0]

A dated, albeit relevant article:

http://slate.msn.com/id/2089815/

[wmw999 2,569]

Thank you. He was a man who really tried to live to his ideals all of his life.

Doesn't matter if I agree with them.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[n2skdvn 0]

News is saying that he has passed. rest in peace jhon paul II.

if my calculations are correct SLINKY + ESCULATOR = EVERLASTING FUN
my site

[Rebecca 0]

Just saw the same this very minute.

RIP.

you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

[jceman 1]

Michele, thank you once again for giving voice to feelings; I have been following this very closely and I couldn't completely understand why.

I have never been a Roman Catholic (though Lynn was raised as such), but I feel a very closeness to John Paul II; even though many of his teachings are at odds with what I believe, I also believe that this is a man who lived his faith and strove with all his will to help people live in peace.

As I write this, the reports are that the end is close but that hs is still with us. All I can say is "Go in Peace, sir. Go in Peace"

[Nightingale 0]

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John Paul II should have stepped down a couple of years ago, in my opinion. Not sure if he's going to make it through this or not.

I agree, although a pope stepping down is just not done.

I think a new pope will be a good change for the church. It's sad that the current pope is dying, but a new pope may bring some policy changes.

[SkyDekker 1,465]

well said Michele I agree 100%!

[Pawel 0]

(I agree, although a pope stepping down is just not done.

I think a new pope will be a good change for the church. It's sad that the current pope is dying, but a new pope may bring some policy changes. )

I think the new pope will be the same. Cardinals pick the new pope and the cardinals voting for the new pope were picked by the current pope. But you never know.

[ChasingBlueSky 0]

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I'm an ex catholic, and I split a gut when I read that.

Wendy, you are right, the general public hasn't taken the time to educate themselves. The situation between the Pope and Terri are not the same.

You would think that after going through all this other shit with Terri, the Pope being close to death, would have had a living will done.

Why would he? He is the living example of Catholic Faith and Belief. All choices will be made in that vein. This Pope was very conservative when it came to popular social issues.

Besides, the living will thing is mostly an American issue.

_________________________________________
you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me....
I WILL fly again.....

[ChasingBlueSky 0]

Quote

(I agree, although a pope stepping down is just not done.

I think a new pope will be a good change for the church. It's sad that the current pope is dying, but a new pope may bring some policy changes. )

I think the new pope will be the same. Cardinals pick the new pope and the cardinals voting for the new pope were picked by the current pope. But you never know.

Exactly, a Cardinal is not an ordained position. The Pope grants that to a Bishop. I've met a few Cardinals from a few countries over the years. NONE are socially liberal when it comes to topics of marriage, divorce, abortion, ordination of women, etc.

People need to remember that American social views have no impact within the Vatican. A socially liberal Pope will not be chosen. Why? John Paul is considered one of the greatest Pope's in the history of the Catholic Church. The one that follows will take his lead.

_________________________________________
you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me....
I WILL fly again.....

[SpeedRacer 1]

A few things that should be pointed out here:


Pope John Paul II was one of the most significant figures of the 20th century.

He was largely the inspiration of the Solidarity movement in Poland, which was the key domino which ultimately led to the collapse of the Soviet Union & the end of communist rule. Even Mikhail Gorbachev indicated the Pope as being the one person who was the most important in causing the changes that led to the end of the Cold War.
Pope John Paul II, aka Karol Woltiya (sorry, not sure about the spelling) had lived in Poland under Communist rule & understood personally what a de-humanizing system it was. He always emphasized the true value of each individual.

He was also known for reaching out to other religions, such as Islam, Judaism, the Eastern Orthodox Church, etc. This earned him some criticism from some hardliners, but he emphasized the need to turn away from religious bigotry, fundamentalism, and extremism.

Some of us may not have agreed with him on every point, but he was an extraordinary man who made a real & positive difference in the world.

Speed Racer
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