Posted on 02/13/2005 1:53:33 PM PST by kellynla
At church on Sunday the congregation was asked to pray for the recovery of the Pope. I have abstained from doing so. I hope that he will not recover.
The seizure brought on by his dramatic trip to the hospital a week ago suggests the international sense of his indispensability. Pope John Paul is a graphic figure in the lives of Catholics and many non-Catholics. He is of course a towering theological figure who has presided over the development of Catholic thought and practice for the 26 years of his papacy. He is a major historical figure, who began as a Catholic seminarian in a Poland subservient first to a Nazi overlord (they hanged him in Nuremberg), then to a Communist overlord (nothing happened to him — the Communists are never prosecuted). From that scene he succeeded to the Holy See, where he was the symbol of hope and, after the Communists fell, of triumph, distinctive in his bid for international recognition as a God-fearing man of good will.
I remember him as he was leaving Havana to return to Rome. Fidel Castro was there to recite the diplomatic amenities. The pope was standing on the gangway of his airplane and suddenly rain fell. As John Paul spoke under an improvised parasol, his three-minute farewell address evolved, in near-perfect Spanish, into a homily on water's purifying mission. All of Cuba watched on television, no doubt hoping, for an exhilarating moment, that Castro would melt away, Cuba shriven from the antipodal reign of a tyrant who came to power even before the pope did, and will outlast him.
(Excerpt) Read more at nationalreview.com ...
I agree with you. You have company. We will both get slammed together.
Word up. What you said...
Could be that one of these two has outlived his usefulness. . . which one could it be?
Pope John Paul is a man of God, he will be home in heaven soon enough. I have been wondering who our next Pope will be and what direction God will take the church with him at the helm. We live in interesting times. God bless all those showing their love for this holy man.
I will take comfort in the good company.
Looks like there's not much hope for Buckley's recovery.
William F. Buckley is a devout Catholic. He is abstaining from praying for the Pope. In the Pope's present health, he may be suffering. I don't think Buckley is out of line on this. I would bet Buckley prays that God's will be done.
I agree with you and I also agree with Buckley.
Our late pastor always said "Pray for a speedy recovery or a happy death". The Pope isn't going to recover so praying for a happy death is not out of line.
The Pope's death on this earth will be the beginning of his ultimate reward.
I will take comfort in the good company.
Thank you, Bahbah...I feel the same way.
My best regards.
Excuse me? How in the world would you know how devout a Catholic Bill Buckley is????
I don't know where you studied Catholicism but any good Catholic worth their weight in salt would NEVER, NEVER, NEVER NOT PRAY FOR SOMEONE!
Buckley was not only "out of line" to "not pray for the Pope's recovery"; Buckley was idiotic to put it in print!
Catholics pray for everyone and we leave the decision making up to God in Heaven! PERIOD!
gezzzzzz
So you and Buckley are in the same boat...
not praying for the Pope is alright with you...
some "Catholic" you are!
"...Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done...."
I am sure you are right about that.
kelly, I am sure your heart is in the right place.
Pope John Paul has more work to do. Jesus alone will tell him when his work is finished. Jesus knows better than us.
The Pope should retire and let a younger more vigorous man be Pope.
In general, I agree. There are other matters Mr. Buckley is referring to; but I think you've nailed the gist of it! :)
If you saw your father dying in his shoes and in such a painful, public way, would you insist he continue for the good of the neighborhood or his clients? Now I’m going to get slammed because I’m comparing the Pope’s calling with a secular life. Not at all. He is still human.
Buckley's subtlety has always escaped the average liberal and -- apparently --- a few Freepers.
He can't do any work because he is dying. He is very ill if you haven't noticed.
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