NationStates Jolt Archive

I was most surprised when looking through the general forums not to see anything at all about the Pope. So I took it upon myself to begin...something.

John Paul II was a the first Pope not to be Italian in over 400 years, traveled to over 123 coutnries world wide, strived for world peace, helped the fall of communism in Europe, gave the nation of Poland a new international pride and hero.

A great legacy to leave behind. I'm not Catholic, in fact I'm non-dinominational christian, but I have a great respect for this man and what he stood for.

As of right now I am living in Warsaw, Poland, and have been for the past year. The sorrow in the streets in enough to choke on. This afternoon was a mass held in the Old Town where John Paul II first came and spoke to Poland, and is where over 70,000 Poles have gathered today. Within the next three days over 2 million people will be traveling to Rome, Italy to be there on the day of the Popes funeral. Few men in history have ever had such an impact upon the lives of so many people of different genders, ethnic background, or race before and in my belief ever again.

John Paul II was a great man and a great Pope, and I pray and hope for the Vatican as it must now choose from amongst its Cardinals to find a new Pope to take his place. This event for me has shown that the years coming will be an age unlike any we have seen. Events are in motion, shaping each day what the future might be and how history is made; I am of the opinion that something big is about to happen. Not the sunami or some natural disaster, not the end of the world as people have started saying when they have rad of Nostrodamus's predicitons, but that something will happen. And I pray for the betterment of Mankind, which has such divisions amongst it that I see little hope, yet hold on to it.l

bump

Bump

RIP PJP2

Bump :headbang:

The Pope John Paul II was, from everything that I really knew of him, a pretty good guy. he had views that many didn't like, but show me a world figure that doesn't. I've read some of his work, and thought it was very well thought through and such. I am not a catholic, and I don't really hold any catholic views when it comes to christianity, but that doesn't stop me from admireing a man that lived his life for his faith, and never once turned back or gave up.


a light passes, a soul reborn
leaving behind the tattered and torn.
knowing know what it sought before,
now stepping past life's final door.

Nice Poem, you meant "now" and not "know" right?

Nice Poem, you meant "now" and not "know" right?
yes, I did

one of the problems of writing on the spot is that it doesn't give me a chance to proof read as well. I fixed it.

Bravo anyway

Bravo anyway

thank you, I've dabbled with poetry off and on for some years now.

I somtimes add little poems when I feel there is something important that is being addressed. the passing of a soul that touched so many is something to be remembered. but its also good to remember that its not the end, just a new beginning, and to celebrate the memory and the life of the person that left.

*Raises glass to a great man who's seen much in his life. Pope John Paul II, I salute thee...* :)

While I am an Atheist, I thought that overall the Pope was a fairly decent bloke. I disagree with the whole 'don't use condoms' thing, of course, but recognise that it's part of the traditional Catholic belief system to be against contraception. He was clearly an intelligent and thoughtful man, and I think his successor has a lot to live up to.

"Hear Hear!! To a man who had more salt than any other Pope." Drinks deeply from his tankard and sits down.

Pope John Paul II, epithet

Are you looking for the word 'epigraph' or 'epitaph' rather than 'epithet'?

I am a proud member of God's Frozen Chosen (a.k.a. I'm presbyterian) but I have to say despite certain issues I had with Catholic doctrine in general, I truly felt a loss when I heard that the pope had died. He was a generally good person from all that I know about him, and I am glad to see that someone here on NS decided to post something about him Thanks for posting!

Teatroia

P.S. you should really change the title of this thread. I think the word you were looking for was Epitaph. An epithet is like a slur against a person, like for race or something, which I gather is not what you meant. Just FYI!

"Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup."

Hmmm great minds, huh BWO?

While I am an Atheist, I thought that overall the Pope was a fairly decent bloke. I disagree with the whole 'don't use condoms' thing, of course, but recognise that it's part of the traditional Catholic belief system to be against contraception. He was clearly an intelligent and thoughtful man, and I think his successor has a lot to live up to.
Agreed ... also have personal issues with the handling of the pedophile thing by the organization (major issues) but not sure it was his fault

also have personal issues with the handling of the pedophile thing by the organization (major issues) but not sure it was his faultYes, I think it could have been handled better myself, but at least the Pope did apologise...I'm sure some behind the scenes would rather he hadn't bothered acknowledging it. I don't know enough about Catholicism - certainly not at that high level - but second-hand theology knowledge suggests that there's an awful lot of 'toeing the party line' at that level. While I think John Paul II held to that in some ways, he did break the steretypes in others, which I personally feel to be to his credit.

Yes, I think it could have been handled better myself, but at least the Pope did apologise...I'm sure some behind the scenes would rather he hadn't bothered acknowledging it. I don't know enough about Catholicism - certainly not at that high level - but second-hand theology knowledge suggests that there's an awful lot of 'toeing the party line' at that level. While I think John Paul II held to that in some ways, he did break the steretypes in others, which I personally feel to be to his credit.
Yes

And it deffinatly could have been handled better ... the organization did a lot to us and our families just in the intrest of hiding that fact.

But again not sure what level it was "handled" at

In Memory of Pope John Paul II (Karol Jozef Wojtyla) May 18, 1920 ~ April 2, 2005

*Gives a moment of silence* "He was the greatest man in the latter half of the 20th century, and the greatest Pope ever, May the angels lift him up, and God greet him with arms wide open" "It was said that if it wasn't for Pope John Paul II the Cold War would have ended in a more bloody way, or would still be going on, the world is saddened by his death, but at least he died peaceful, his last word said was "Amen"

He failed to substantially expand the role of women in the Church. Any other leader who sytematically excluded women from positions of leadership in an organization would meet criticism. Why not the Pope?

Further, although he himself was active for freedom in Poland, he discouraged and even replaced activist Priests in Latin America, arguing that the Church should not be involved in indigenous people's struggles.

His penchant for appointing yes-men Bishops contributed to a lack of leaders in the American Church capable of dealing with sex abuse and he himself failed as a leader to address the issue.

Still, there is plenty to compliment about this Pope. His attempts to reconcile the Church's past, from the Crusades to the Inquisition to complicity in anti-Semitism were honorable, as was his efforts towards concillience of world religions. I just don't understand why there is no real discussion of his entire legacy in the media. You see some of these things on TV and you'd think the program director is trying to convert new Catholics.

I also forgot to mention condoms and AIDS in Africa. An opponent of educating people on safe sexual practices cannot be seen as a proponent of a "culture of life." Too many are dead and dying.

..I just don't understand why there is no real discussion of his entire legacy in the media. You see some of these things on TV and you'd think the program director is trying to convert new Catholics.

there are plenty of discussions going on, its just right now people are willing to remember the good, rather then getting into the arguments about the person. You know, giving him respect for the time being since he did just die and all.

I also forgot to mention condoms and AIDS in Africa. An opponent of educating people on safe sexual practices cannot be seen as a proponent of a "culture of life." Too many are dead and dying.

No, you dont understand. I'm guessing your not afiliated with anything close to religion and assume your an aethiest. According to the Bible no man or woman may commit adultrey, its on of the 10 Commandments and a deadly sin. This means that if the Pope, Gods Vicar on Earth, said its ok to use condoms, he'd be saying that its ok for people to have sex outside of marraige. Now I'm not really concerned with what other people do with their own lives, but you must see that if he allowed that then it would go against what the Catholic church stands for and all the teachings of God and Jesus. And in educating people, the idea is not to have sex before marriage! Or did you fall asleep in sex-ed?