When doves cry
Many have been eulogizing the death of Pope John Paul II this last weekend, and his passing is indeed a great loss to Catholics worldwide.
The day the news broke, I couldn’t help but notice this catching headline from the Associated Press: “Pope Preached Back-To-Basics Conservatism”
The article provides an informative history and biographical profile of the papal leader, including some of the controversies that have surrounded the Vatican and Roman Catholic Church.
However, the opening paragraph gave me slight pause:
Pope John Paul II assailed the moral perils of modern life as he traveled the world, a crowd-pleasing superpastor whose 26-year papacy carried the Roman Catholic Church into Christianity’s third millennium in monumental strides. He took on the Soviet regime and emboldened eastern Europeans to bring down the communist system.
With greatest and most deserved respect due to the pontiff, one might still argue that it was President Ronald Reagan and superior American firepower that, ultimately, brought down the Soviet regime and the “red menace.” Not white doves.
Perhaps Reagan and Pope John will discuss this, as they are both together in heaven now.
UPDATE: AP Poll: New Pope Should Push for Change
I guess the mourning is over. Politics has no time for tears.
Associated Press: “Admiration for Pope John Paul II aside, most Americans surveyed in a poll  Catholics and non-Catholics alike  would like to see a successor willing to institute far-reaching changes: allowing priests to marry and women to join the priesthood. “
April 5th, 2005 at 7:16 am
I hate to break it guys but that old (by that time seriously demented already) moviestar had very little to do with the fall of communism. It came from within the people themselves. It showed that change has to come from the hearts of the population and not from some outside agressor. I feel the same goes for islamic nations such as Iran for example. No one should try to ‘liberate’ these people. Eventually they’ll liberate themselves just like the ex-soviet people did.
April 5th, 2005 at 8:22 am
Charles Krauthammer wrote an interesting article about Pope John Paul II
In it, he states:
The same applies to the oppressed Islamic nation. Only their ruthless leadership is far from lacking confidence.