This is your place to publicly comment on the topics and issues addressed in Speaking of Faith programs. React in a personal way, and put into words what this program meant to you.
Submit Your Reflection about "The Legacy of Pope John Paul II."
A Shaping Influence (May 2, 2005)
To me, this man was an incredible influence. Growing up Roman Catholic, I often heard about the different things that the pope did. John Paul was no ordinary pope and people saw that. I mean, how many cardinals in this day and age would go skiing and running, and be athletic — probably none, due to their age. Many local news stations stated that John Paul "brought the papacy to the world and out of the Vatican."
Last year, I had the opportunity to attend World Youth Day in Canada. I felt that I was too busy and that I would be able to go this year when it is held in Germany. When they announced that the pontiff had died, I was shell-shocked. The leader I had come to respect and know, had died. He is one of the most powerful influences I have had in my life, and because of him I am considering a life of ministry, ordained or lay. His death sparked a fire that has made me consider the priesthood and if that is my path, I will take it.
That fire has also inspired me to look for a job as a youth minister. I was so moved by the life-story of Karol Wojtyla, that I was very tempted to flock to Rome for the funeral — however, it doesn't work so well with work and school, so I had to settle for the televised program. I can say that John Paul has made me rethink my faith, and indirectly, he has helped me reshape it. I do feel that he should be sainted for his work; he truly is a man of God and a leader for all. He will be missed by thousands all over the world and the new pope who has yet to be elected has big shoes to fill.
Sean Ahlers
Champlin, MN (Listens via Web Audio)
Human Just Like You and Me (April 22, 2005)
Pope John Paul was human. He had his good side: concern for the poor, against the Iraq war. He had his bad side: against choice for women, against birth
control, doing nothing about pedophile priests, adding to the hatred toward gay people, remaining part of an agenda of authoritarian rules and regulations that we humans need to outgrow to mature as a race and believing in fantastic oriental fairytales of 2000 years ago as truth. Organized religion stands at the door to the future of the human race barring us from becoming truly aware and thinking people.
Lozen Sage
Atlanta, GA (WABE, 90.1 FM)
Pope Lead Me from Chad, Africa to Rural Minnesota (April 5, 2005)
I was inspired to write after listening to the comments of Sylvia (whom I have admired for many years). You asked for one sentence describing the Holy Father and she replied, "Open the door to Christ." I believe that Pope John Paul II helped open it for me in 1990.
I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Chad, Central Africa that year and he paid a visit to several African countries. I was not Catholic then but my postmate and I left our post in Koumra and hitchhiked 100 miles to Sarh to see the pope. We just felt it was important to see this man of peace. A special commemorative cloth was made for the event and many of us, Chadian and American, Christian, Muslim, animist — everyone wore our Pope pagne. (I donated three yards of pope fabric as well as a pope shirt to the Smithsonian in 2001.) We lined the dusty dirt road in Sarh to see his Holiness. People from the deep rural areas "en brousse" sang songs and played instruments.
Only the Catholics could attend Mass but the rest of us gave him quite a welcome anyway. He stood in the back of a simple white Toyota truck waving to us. This event in my life must have lulled my boyfriend now husband into believing that I was indeed Catholic as he seemed genuinely surprised to learn that I was Presbyterian. Before we married I went through the RCIA process and came into full communion with the Catholic church. I am now a secretary at the Catholic school my kids attend, a lector in our parish, and I will always believe that it was Pope John Paul II who helped open the door for leading me to a richer spiritual life.
Missy Hermes
Fergus Falls, MN (KNWF, 91.5 FM)
Pope John Paul II and Vatican II (April 4, 2005)
On your very good program it was suggested that the Holy Father had "turned back" some of the reforms of Vatican II. Pope John Paul II would disagree; he would say (having been at Vatican II as a bishop) that he was bringing the reforms of Vatican II to their conclusions by writing a Catechism, re-editing canon law, etc. Some people say Vatican II suggested things which the documents don't say at all.
For example, the theologian [Margaret Farley] said that the Holy Father had not followed fully the reforms of Vatican II because he hadn't allowed women to become priests. (I'm told this was decided by an early Council of the Church.) A few moments later the theologian said that it was probably thanks to Pope John Paul II that women were able to have the diverse significant roles they now have in most dioceses.
Also, a lot of issues, including life issues, are part of traditional Catholic teaching, which a pope is not free to change even if he wished to. His task is to communicate the Deposit of Faith and to protect it, and to apply it to the current time. Most of the life issues Pope John Paul II argued for, not because he was conservative, but because they are the teaching of the Church, and the Church's teaching brings health and life, Catholics believe.
Edward Helmrich
Larchmont, NY (WNYC, 820 AM)
I Have More in Common with the Pope Than I Thought! (April 4, 2005)
I just finished listening to your program about the life of Pope John Paul II. During the show, I couldn't help but think that, apart from his views on contraception, abortion, homosexual rights, etc., the pope is right in line with a lot of what I believe in, from the pitfalls of extreme capitalism to environmentalism to the plight of the poor. And, I do believe he even denounced the war in Iraq. Way to go John Paul!
It was also interesting because, as a man in his mid-twenties, my main images of the pope were that of a frail old senior citizen riding around in his "pope-mobile." I really had no idea he was the first pope to travel so extensively or that he cut such an imposing figure in his day.
Lastly, I suppose I do harbour a fair amount of, shall we say, disdain for the Roman Catholic Church and its dogmatic ways. Yet, like one of your guests said, to be a Roman Catholic does not mean you have to believe in everything that the pope teaches. So, thank you for enlightening me and I look forward to listening to more shows.
Kian Weber
Tainan, Taiwan (Listens via Web Audio)
Thoughts on the Pope (April 4, 2005)
When I heard of the pope's failing health I didn't realize what effect it would have on me. As I sat crying, I realized that this is the only pope that I have ever known. I was raised Catholic and having turned from the Catholic Church some years back, I didn't think that his passing would matter to me any more than that of a famous television actor. For some reason, this pope has found his way into my heart.
I find myself looking back on my life, realizing decisions that I made due to the teachings of this pope. In a world where it would have been easy to make changes for the wanting of a society, this guy stuck to the Word of God. He didn't back down and he tried to take that message to the youth of today. I still have a CD that he made with him singing the "Our Father." I will pass it onto my daughters so that they may continue to be affected by this man long after his death.
I am praying that the pope who takes over the office will be a humble, loving, active pope who while standing in the light of God can lead the people of our times.
Serena Krummel
Howard Lake, MN (KNOW, 91.1 FM)
Words and Actions (April 4, 2005)
I appreciate greatly the emphasis that Pope John Paul II put on care of the poor and challenges to consumerism. This would have carried greater weight if one could have seen less gold, ornamentation, and ostentation in the ceremonies surrounding his person and the Vatican. Why wasn't there greater consistency between the words and the actions?
Candy Barthel
Laporte, MN (KNBJ, 91.3 FM)
Recent Death in the Vatican (April 4, 2005)
Your preoccupation with John Paul II is quite offensive. His death was obvious for weeks. His various actions and statements have been available for discussion for months and years, such as his barbaric attitudes toward human sexuality. He established the basis for attacking gays and lesbians, straight people who do not reproduce, and single people who presumably have a sex life. He also hampered the people who have worked so hard for birth control in order to help people.
Also, Christianity is only one of many faiths in the world and Roman Catholic interpretations of same are not universal. Huge numbers of people do not value the supposed insights of the Roman Catholic Corporation. I, for example, am a Unitarian-Universalist and treat dissent and careful analysis as an obligation, not as an option. John Paul II might have said something that I could have taken seriously but I have found plenty of good counsel without seeking out his ideas.
I hope that you are able to see that John Paul II is just one little man in a world where there are many admirable people. Good luck.
R. Owen Wagner
Chicago, IL (WBEZ, 91.5 FM)
Use Experts from Inside the Church (April 4, 2005)
It would be very much appreciated if you and the rest of the NPR staff would stop bringing in left-wing, errant priests and self-appointed theologians like Margaret Farley to extrapolate the future of the Catholic Church. They in no way speak for the Catholic Church and you are presenting them to the public as if they are, in some way, an important voice in the Church.
We all know that your (NPR's) positions on important theological matters are counter to those taught by the Church. Your continued use of these fringe "experts" only illustrates a desperate attempt to cut down the teaching authority of the Church and relegate it to the irrelevant. Considering John Paul II's solid contributions to the development of moral theology you should bring in true experts from inside the Church who know and understand his theology and have the guts to call a spade a spade instead of trying to compromise everything to embrace all of the aberrations of modern society. Your agenda continues to show.
Bob De Brey
Edina, MN (KNOW, 91.1 FM)
The Origins of "Peter" (April 3, 2005)
Peace be with you! 0n tonight's program you mentioned that the Aramaic name "Peter" means rock. Peter is from the Greek feminine word petra which means rock; he is called by the masculine surname petros, which is formed from the feminine. His original name is, in Hebrew, Simeon — or in Greek, Simon. Jesus would have said that he is kepa (rock) or in Greek form kephas, which is translated in English as Cephas. Thank you for this program; it is very important to me. (Source: Dictionary of the Bible, by John McKenzie, S.J.; 1965 The Bruce Publishing Company. The Macmillan Company, NY, NY)
Andy Andryshak
Great Cacapon, WV (WETA, 90.9 FM)
The Impact of a Pope (April 3, 2005)
Thank you for the opportunity to reevaluate the impact of Pope John Paul II life and teachings on my personal life. I, at times, thought that I was a distant "Catholic" person who had left the teachings of the church. I had thought that if I had different beliefs I would no longer be accepted by the Catholic Church. This program has offered support and guidance by offering reflection on the pope's beliefs for love of all people.
I enjoyed the clarity of the general ethical questions posed in this program. I appreciated the pope's love for the underdog! I am reminded of basic human compassion and forgiveness of those who oppress us.
Sheila West
Champaign, IL (WBEZ, 91.5 FM)
Not Just Superlatives (April 2, 2005)
Thanks you for the timeliness of your article on John Paul II. I appreciate hearing a program that discusses his legacy with intelligence and grace and not just superlatives. The Catholic Church is entering a new era without a familiar leader. In some ways I'm reminded of Moses who lead his people to the promised land but could not go all the way with them. Your program contributes significantly to the understanding of faith and spirituality for all.
Cynthia Torres-Nusse
Lakewood, CA (KPCC, 89.3 FM)
Great Program (April 2, 2005)
Bravo on an excellent, thoughtful program about the passing of Pope John Paul II. As a 29-year old Catholic, I have profound respect and indeed, great love, for the Holy Father. For those in my generation, he has been the most consistent shepherd of our faith, and I am sad to lose him. However, I too struggle with some aspects of his reign, and in the practical application of his moral teaching. Your discussions dealt with this dichotomy and mystery of His Holiness with reverence and insight. Thank you for your work.
Jamie Lantinen
Minneapolis, MN (KNOW, 91.1 FM)
