Replies

Only after he became Pope; keeping in mind he was a symbol in Poland and nothing more. It wasn't anything he did personally - especially considering that there is no evidence of underground activity on his part before he left to assume the Holy See - and definitely none after.

There is evidence of extremely overt activity by the pope in his pastoral work to undermine the commies - as well as covert activty before and after the fall of the USSR.

Those interested in reading the details of this can read George Weigel's "Witness to Hope" - the acknowledged definitive and best-selling scholarly biography of the pope.

In addition, some of Reagan and Carter's intelligence and security folks (Reagan's Casey and Carter's Brzezinski) have been very candid about this pope's critical overt and covert role in the downfall of the evil empire.

It wasn't anything he did personally - especially considering that there is no evidence of underground activity on his part before he left to assume the Holy See - and definitely none after.

I am not sure what you mean by "underground activity". Opposition in Poland was in the open by design. Only "secret" things were locations of the printing equipment or samizdat.

Cardinal Wojtyla was very supportive toward opposition and made many decisions/acts defying Communist government. For example, when Communists refused to permit the religious/patriotic procession in his city, he ordered faithful to go ahead anyway. This made a great impression and authorities were intimidated and did nothing.

He encouraged free intelectual or political activity under the umbrella of the Church. He acted countless number of times in support of truth and freedom. When he got elected Pope many people in oposition were regretful that they will lose his input. Yet he continued to provide help from abroad as well.

keeping in mind he was a symbol in Poland and nothing more

Maybe the pope remembers that CONTAINMENT destroyed the Soviets. We didn't invade them - - the way freepers want Iraq invaded - - but we defeated them through military pressure. Was Reagan a "surrender monkey appeaser" because he didn't invade the Soviet Union? The pope may see more clearly than folks here that disarming Iraq through military pressure should be tried before invading a country that hasn't attacked us.

ALSO, REMEMBER THAT THE POPE WAS SHOT BY A MIDDLE-EASTERN TERRORIST BEFORE YOU START SAYING HE'S AN APPEASER OR KNOWS NOTHING OF TERRORISM OUT OF THAT REGION!!!!!!!!!