Posted on 08/18/2002 11:38:58 AM PDT by Pyro7480
By MONIKA SCISLOWSKA, Associated Press Writer
KRAKOW, Poland (AP) - Pope John Paul ( news - web sites) II, addressing more than two million of the faithful at the nation's largest open-air Mass ever, warned Poles of the dangers posed by "freedom without responsibility" in the post-communist era.
The pope, seated as he spoke from raised dais to the vast crowd, exhorted his countrymen not to separate their faith from their politics.
"When the noisy propaganda of liberalism, of freedom without truth or responsibility, grows stronger in our country too, the shepherds of the church cannot fail to proclaim the one fail-proof philosophy of freedom, which is the truth of the cross of Christ," the pope said.
John Paul is considered Poland's moral compass and his message reaches a nation increasingly soured on a capitalist system that has created social and economic disparities. (obvious AP bias)
It plays into growing sentiments among conservative Catholics that political decisions on issues such as abortion to integrate Poland with western Europe will spoil their country.
The crowd responded to his homily with chants of "Thank you."
Speaking generally about the threats of the modern age, the pope warned that modern man often "lives as if God does not exist," referring to genetic engineering and euthanasia.
"He claims for himself the creator's right too interfere in the mystery of human life. He wishes to determine human life through genetic manipulation and establish the limit of death," said John Paul, who beatified three Polish priests and a nun during the Mass.
Polish faithful arrived throughout the night to see their favorite son on what many fear will be his last pilgrimage home.
As John Paul circled the crowd in the popemobile, pilgrims sang choruses of "Poland loves you, Krakow loves you," a song written for a planned Mass in Poland in 1999 that the pope canceled due to a sudden flu. And as the pope was raised by a lift onto the wooden platform holding the papal alter, the crowd chanted: "You are at home."
Many pilgrims traveled hours in small parish groups on buses and trains for the Mass, carrying food and bedrolls to catch a few hours sleep after arriving in the early morning hours. Some strummed guitars and played drums, creating a festival atmosphere as they streamed passed vendors grilling meats and selling stools, hats and papal souvenirs.
"I have constantly tears in my eyes today. I'm afraid I'll cry when I see him passing. It's such a distinction from God that the pope is Polish," said Magda Fidej, 52, from Krakow.
The ailing, 82-year-old pope's spirits appeared strengthened by his journey back to Krakow, buoyed by memories and the tens of thousands pilgrims who have greeted and serenaded him in the medieval capital where he lived for 40 years.
On Saturday, John Paul slept in his old bed, visited his old street and drove by the quarry, no longer used, where he labored during the Nazi occupation.
His nostalgic journey continues Sunday with a visit to the graves of his parents and brother - all dead more than half a century - and private prayers at the Wawel Cathedral where he said his first Mass as a priest in 1946.
"He has fond memories of his life here," Vatican ( news - web sites) spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said. "Behind every corner is a memory."
The elderly pope's condition appeared to be on everyone's minds - even the pope's himself.
"Despite old age, despite death, there is youth in God and this is what I wish you all - the youth of Krakow, of Poland and the world," John Paul told cheering faithful who waited below the window of his residence a second night Saturday for a glimpse of the pontiff.
Poles have made their feelings about their beloved native son clear, replying to his greeting with traditional Polish song "Sto Lat," or "May he live 100 years."
"There is something to it, the visit to Poland, the visit to his home, is a medicine, an injection of energy, which the Holy Father needs," Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski said after meeting with the pope.
"Intellectually, (he is) in excellent shape," the president said.
The opinion was shared by many Poles who are weary of speculation that the pope would step down due to his health. Many said that despite his many ailments, hunched appearance and sometimes slurred speech, John Paul appeared to be thriving in his native environment.
"This visit is sure to give him new strength because it's his beloved Krakow, because it's Poland," said Elzbieta Krawczykiewicz, a retired pharmacist. "I heard him during arrival and it was the same strong voice that I have known for years."
While many feared that this trip, his ninth to Poland, would be the pope's last, Prime Minister Leszek Miller on Saturday declared Poland's readiness to receive him at any time.
"Well, if God only allows," Miller quoted the pope as responding.
Actually, we've been relieved of a great burden of what used to be called "me-too'ers", who went over to the Dims long ago.....lots of so-called "Rockefeller Republicans" who, like the late Sen. Jake Javits, voted very liberal lines.
The RiNO's are the descendants of those "me-too'ers", business Republicans for the most part, who don't care about social, moral, or constitutional issues -- just bottom-line issues. Look at the Wall Street Journal continually advocating open borders and unlimited immigration. That wing of the Republican Party is running it now, and running off the real conservatives. That's what "W" did in Texas, running "moderate" Republicans (RiNO's) against sitting conservative members of the state board of education. "W" has no political tolerance for faith-based, conservative Republicans; he regards them as an embarrassment to the Party as he tries to follow Jack Kemp's "big tent" prescription, IMHO.
In the '70's, we got a few out. It was the Cold War. It was hard.....as much as I would not like to disagree with the pope....THERE CANNOT BE FREEDOM WITHOUT RESPONSIBILITY.
...There is no such animal. I was arguing with an Irish guy about that today....he does understand the concept of freedom...but personal accountibility seems beyond him. He actually told me that if he were my neighbor, and decided to clear cut his property, he was not liable if he contaminated my drinking water.
...That's why I'm online so late for me....irritation.
RINO`s and WSJ moderates aside, conservatives aren't running from the Republican Party. They continue to support President Bush in overwhelming numbers. On the right wing, only the fringe extremists are dissatisfied with the Bush administration and the fact is, they never voted for Bush in great numbers anyway. They voted for third party candidates like Buchanan, Hagelin, Philips and Browne in the last national election, and in numbers that barely totaled above one million votes, combined! Even FReepers gave Bush an 82% level of approval in a recent poll conducted here on FR.
>>>"W" has no political tolerance for faith-based, conservative Republicans; he regards them as an embarrassment to the Party as he tries to follow Jack Kemp's "big tent" prescription, IMHO.
George W.Bush is a moral God fearing man, who has unquestionable faith and is a mainstream conservative. He has appointed some very strong people of faith to his administration, like John Ashcroft. He choose a moral man of high integrity to be his VP, Dick Cheney. Ralph Reed was an important advisor to candidate Bush during the 2000 campaign. Bush has spoken of God and his faith more then any President in my lifetime and that includes that old southern hypocrite himself, Jimmah Carter. Bush doesn't consider members of the religious right as his enemy, but rather he considers them some of his strongest supporters. Men like James Dobson, Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell have all been supporters of President Bush, since he announced his intention to run for POTUS back in 1999.
The idea of the BIG tent is something that was promoted by Ronald Reagan and served him extremely well through two national election victories. Conservatives make up a majority of the Republican Party, but don't have the majority in the Congress to advance a full conservative agenda. It is critical for consrevative Republican's like GW Bush and others, to appeal to independents and dissatisfied Democrats, in order to build a coalition capable of winning elections.
Politics makes strange bedfellows, at times. The best thing conservatives can do, is to work at converting as many folks over to the conservative movement as possible and then vote for the most conservative candidate available at election time. Trashing President Bush and other conservatives in Congress, accomplishes absolutely nothing and only strengthens the liberals and socialists on the leftwing.
In politics, a little optimism goes a long way.
Well...nice screen name, butcha lost me there.
>>>Well...nice screen name, butcha lost me there.
I was referring to something that "lentulusgracchus" mentioned in the last paragraph of RE:#21. Many conservatives consider the editorial pages of the WSJ to be conservative, but the commentary and opinion pieces are standard, run of the mill moderate punditry.
This practical atheism-of-the-hand afflicts us all Republican or Democrat, and even people who say they are Christian or Jewish.
According to the article, the Pope said, quote:
>>>Speaking generally about the threats of the modern age, the pope warned that modern man often "lives as if God does not exist," referring to genetic engineering and euthanasia.
I took that to mean, there's far too much reliance on human secularism and not enough on faith in a higher power. The power of God The Almighty.
WOW! There are so many great lines worth repeating in this piece. This is one of them.
AMEN The Republican Party today is the RINO Party. There are so few conservatives left in the party.
I hope you're right, mv. The problem with the throngs is that we have no power. Its been systematically usurped. That eventually means revolution and usually totalitarianism of the worst kind.
"When the noisy propaganda of liberalism, of freedom without truth or responsibility, grows stronger in our country too, the shepherds of the church cannot fail to proclaim the one fail-proof philosophy of freedom, which is the truth of the cross of Christ,"
Those that call themselves Christians and consider themselves to be liberals should look long and hard at the scriptures, there are always responsibilities that accompany rights. One has to call the veracity of their faith into question.
Should read: When Pope JP II dies,...
It happens to all of us, even Popes.
As for your analysis of the future ocf the Catholic Church. I am not familiar with the Fatima prophecy. I hold that no valid prophecy has been given outside of the canon. Besides, if the papacy's claims of apostolic succession are substantiated then the Catholic Church must continue, otherwise we are at the end of the age. It is much easier to believe that the apostolic era ended with the death of St. John. I find nothing apostolic in the papacy.
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