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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.

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