Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II, the Head of the Roman
Catholic Church, who won the hearts of millions around the world -
regardless of religion, race and social class - on account of his
sublime humanity, humility and piety, has passed away. There is no doubt
that the news of his death will leave a countless many, sad and
dejected, including his admirers and followers in Sri Lanka.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to state that the late Pontiff has
left a lasting imprint on the history of the modern world. In him the
world saw - to a considerable degree - the essential values, and ideals
of Christianity. A high point of his Pontificate was his apology to the
world - at the turn of this century - for any excesses committed by the
Catholic Church and its followers, down the ages. Through this Godly act
Pope John Paul II dramatized the importance of the Christian virtue of
forgiveness in a world torn apart by divisions, hatred and war.
Our minds go back to early 1995 when the late Pope visited Sri Lanka
on the invitation of the then PA Government headed, of course, by
President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. It would be relevant to
state that this act of the President helped to establish her credentials
as a secular-minded and accommodative Lankan leader. The President
proved to the world that religious differences didn't matter to her - a
value that is essential for the remoulding of Lanka on positive lines.
It could be said without the slightest hint of exaggeration that Pope
John Paul II took the Christian message of peace and brotherhood to the
farthest corners of the world. Thereby, he touched the hearts of
billions and humanised as never before the foremost position of
authority in the Roman Catholic Church, whose followers are far-flung.
What softened hearts and minds across the world's numerous divides was
the humility and child-like friendliness of the late Pope which acted
like a magnet.
In other words, John Paul II was no Ivory Tower Pope. He took the
Papacy to the people and immersed it in the common concerns of humanity.
This made the Pope speak out against abortion, Euthanasia, same sex
marriages, homosexuality and lesbianism, marriage among the clergy,
hard/drugs, war, crime, sexual abuse, political repression, to name just
a few. He was frank and forthright in his pronouncements against these
evils and it could be said that the impact made by Pope John Paul II on
the conscience of the world made, particularly, the political
establishments of the West to take deep cognizance of the moral,
decadence seeping into the fabric of their societies.
All in all, the influence of the late Pope has compelled some
predominant world leaders to emphasize the importance of Christian
morality and all that it implies - family values, reverence for life,
the sacredness of marriage, celibracy in the priestly life, a
God-fearing citizenry etc.
History will vindicate the late Pope on these issues because humanity
faces a steep civilizational decline in the absence of these cherished
values which are universally acknowledged. It is up to the Roman
Catholic Church and Christendom to sustain the wholesome traditions
established by John Paul II, tirelessly from now on. |