Apr. 2nd, 2005
I saw him once. In Fairbanks, Alaska, of all places. On a chill May morning he stood on a raised platform, Air Force One as his backdrop, and spoke of peace and forgiveness at a time when we felt we were on the edge of World War III. I can't remember what President Reagan said, but I remember John Paul II's message: there is hope; have faith. He bestowed his blessing on us, and then these two world leaders got back on their planes and flew off in opposite directions, the photo op of coincidence satisfied.
He drove me crazy. On one hand, he dragged the church further forward by centuries. On the other, he stuck to a paternalism that I could not bear. The hope that we had of a more enlightened dialogue on birth control evaporated. But the message of caring for the sick and the poor, of political justice and freedom remained.
Farewell, Karol. Be at peace.
He drove me crazy. On one hand, he dragged the church further forward by centuries. On the other, he stuck to a paternalism that I could not bear. The hope that we had of a more enlightened dialogue on birth control evaporated. But the message of caring for the sick and the poor, of political justice and freedom remained.
Farewell, Karol. Be at peace.