The Life and Legacy of Pope John Paul II Read Online Free Page A
Author: Wyatt North
Tags: Religion & Spirituality, Biographies & Memoirs, Religious, Leaders & Notable People, Christian Books & Bibles, Catholicism, Popes & the Vatican
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In all his efforts, Archbishop Wojtila strove to implement the ideals of human dignity that emerged from Vatican II, but there were two areas in particular where Vatican II became his focus. First, his next book, Sources of Renewal (published in 1970), was a guide to the documents of Vatican II. Second, he organized a Synod of Krakow, in which he recreated for the clergy and laity of his jurisdiction the experience of Vatican II. Whereas a Synod would normally deal with issues of canon law, this Synod would focus on pastoral issues. The chief question asked of the participants was how the guidelines of Vatican II could be implemented within their diocese. Throughout the duration of the Synod, which lasted through most of the 1970s, tens of thousands of Catholics in Krakow were engaging with the documents of Vatican II and debating how to realize them in their lives. The archbishop’s book provided a commentary to the texts with which they grappled. The outcome of the process was an educated laity that functioned as a community and had created their own stake in how Vatican II and Catholicism worked within their churches and within their lives. The Synod was a master stroke of pastoral and administrative management.
When Pope Paul VI named him a cardinal in 1967, Cardinal Wojtila developed even more outlets for his talents, and his reputation and status grew accordingly. The Polish government usually granted him permission to travel, unlike some of his Polish colleagues. He traveled frequently to Rome for meetings of the congregations in which he served, and he became active on the Synod of Bishops, which met annually to discuss important issues. In 1969 he traveled for a month to Polish communities throughout Canada and the United States. In 1973, he traveled to Australia for the International Eucharistic Congress, at which time he also visited the Philippines, New Guinea, and New Zealand. There were other trips as well, including a return tour of the United States.
In 1976, only two years before his death, Pope Paul VI invited Cardinal Wojtila to conduct the annual Lenten retreat for himself and the Roman Curia. Cardinal Wojtila was to present a series of twenty-two lectures before the assemblage. It was a singular honor, and it put the cardinal on view before a host of very influential figures.
The Year With Three Popes
In August of 1978, the aged Pope Paul died. Within the same month, Cardinal Albino Luciani of Venice was elected pope in his stead. The new pope sought to honor his two great predecessors, John XXIII and Paul VI, by taking both their names. The unique choice of a double name endeared him the populace, both for the humility it demonstrated (his motto was humilitas ) and because the choice contained the reassurance of continuity. But then, the world was dismayed when only thirty-three days later Pope John Paul I suddenly passed away. On October 16, 1978, on the second day of deliberations and the eighth ballot, Karol Wojtyla, the Cardinal Archbishop of Krakow, was elected pope.
It was not an outcome that Cardinal Wojtila had wanted. Friends who saw him before he left Poland for John Paul I’s funeral in Rome have indicated he may have had an intuition or a premonition that this would occur. His goodbyes seemed too serious, too somber. Becoming pope would mean leaving behind forever a lifetime of friendships and connections, the cultural and intellectual stimulation of his academic circle, and the city and country that he loved. He accepted the decision, as he put it, with obedience to Christ.
In one respect, the choice of Wojtila made sense to all who heard: this man was young and in good health. His election, in that respect at least, seemed a reaction to the stunning loss that had just occurred. But there were other aspects to Wojtyla’s election that came as a complete surprise. Upon hearing the unfamiliar sound of his name, some listeners thought he
In all his efforts, Archbishop Wojtila strove to implement the ideals of human dignity that emerged from Vatican II, but there were two areas in particular where Vatican II became his focus. First, his next book, Sources of Renewal (published in 1970), was a guide to the documents of Vatican II. Second, he organized a Synod of Krakow, in which he recreated for the clergy and laity of his jurisdiction the experience of Vatican II. Whereas a Synod would normally deal with issues of canon law, this Synod would focus on pastoral issues. The chief question asked of the participants was how the guidelines of Vatican II could be implemented within their diocese. Throughout the duration of the Synod, which lasted through most of the 1970s, tens of thousands of Catholics in Krakow were engaging with the documents of Vatican II and debating how to realize them in their lives. The archbishop’s book provided a commentary to the texts with which they grappled. The outcome of the process was an educated laity that functioned as a community and had created their own stake in how Vatican II and Catholicism worked within their churches and within their lives. The Synod was a master stroke of pastoral and administrative management.
When Pope Paul VI named him a cardinal in 1967, Cardinal Wojtila developed even more outlets for his talents, and his reputation and status grew accordingly. The Polish government usually granted him permission to travel, unlike some of his Polish colleagues. He traveled frequently to Rome for meetings of the congregations in which he served, and he became active on the Synod of Bishops, which met annually to discuss important issues. In 1969 he traveled for a month to Polish communities throughout Canada and the United States. In 1973, he traveled to Australia for the International Eucharistic Congress, at which time he also visited the Philippines, New Guinea, and New Zealand. There were other trips as well, including a return tour of the United States.
In 1976, only two years before his death, Pope Paul VI invited Cardinal Wojtila to conduct the annual Lenten retreat for himself and the Roman Curia. Cardinal Wojtila was to present a series of twenty-two lectures before the assemblage. It was a singular honor, and it put the cardinal on view before a host of very influential figures.
The Year With Three Popes
In August of 1978, the aged Pope Paul died. Within the same month, Cardinal Albino Luciani of Venice was elected pope in his stead. The new pope sought to honor his two great predecessors, John XXIII and Paul VI, by taking both their names. The unique choice of a double name endeared him the populace, both for the humility it demonstrated (his motto was humilitas ) and because the choice contained the reassurance of continuity. But then, the world was dismayed when only thirty-three days later Pope John Paul I suddenly passed away. On October 16, 1978, on the second day of deliberations and the eighth ballot, Karol Wojtyla, the Cardinal Archbishop of Krakow, was elected pope.
It was not an outcome that Cardinal Wojtila had wanted. Friends who saw him before he left Poland for John Paul I’s funeral in Rome have indicated he may have had an intuition or a premonition that this would occur. His goodbyes seemed too serious, too somber. Becoming pope would mean leaving behind forever a lifetime of friendships and connections, the cultural and intellectual stimulation of his academic circle, and the city and country that he loved. He accepted the decision, as he put it, with obedience to Christ.
In one respect, the choice of Wojtila made sense to all who heard: this man was young and in good health. His election, in that respect at least, seemed a reaction to the stunning loss that had just occurred. But there were other aspects to Wojtyla’s election that came as a complete surprise. Upon hearing the unfamiliar sound of his name, some listeners thought he
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