Pope John Paul II "The Great"

[GS]

Only two other Popes have been bestowed the title of "Greatness"

Leo III and Gregory I

Pope John Paul II is certianly worthy of this title.

Certainly Croatians are for ever in debt to him and his Papacy for helping us through a very difficult era in our history.

I cant speak for other countries but I am sure that most countries who were under Communist rule would certianly feel the same as us Croats.

A man who changed the course of history.

[divttp]

"BLITZER: We've been busy over these past few days -- CNN, USA Today, Gallup -- doing some survey questions of Americans. For example, this question: Will the church make John Paul II a saint? Seventy-one percent of American Catholics think the answer should be yes. Eighteen percent say no. What do you think?

O'CONNELL: Well, I think the church declares a person a saint who has lived an extraordinary holy life. And I don't think, even among that 18 percent, anyone can deny that this was holy man of God. The canonization of a person is really an affirmation of what is already there, what already exists.

And I do believe that when the time is appropriate that the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, will be presented for canonization."

CNN.COM

He was an extraordinary Pope and his influence reached nearly all parts of the world. He most definitely deserves a title of "greatness."

[star]

While I admire his personal holiness and commitment to peace, I don't think he was an effective administrator. Under his watch mass attendance dropped to record lows and he failed to deal with some serious scandals before they became major problems.

Is he a great man? Yes.

Is he GREAT like Leo and Gregory? I don't think so. But time will tell.

[Ribaric]

I'm agnostic, no axe to grind from me.

What do you think a new Pope will do as regards contraception? Big problem in Africa, but will a change of heart split the church into warring factions.

I was never convinced that John-Paul played this the way he did for "belief" reasons. I always felt he played it safe - no pun intended.

[star]

I'd say they'll go with the ABC approach if a moderate is elected:
Abstain, Be faithful, and if necessary use a condom.

However, alot of people in the church realize that condoms are just a stop gap measure for AIDS and is not a cure. The only cure is to abstain and be faithful to your spouse. So a conservative will probably hold to that line.

[Daria13]

Pope John Paul II was a great pope..he was the only one i had seen and had in my lifetime but the most memorable to all. To say that it is his fault for catholic churches drop of participation is wrong. Could he really control every church in the world, and battle parkinsons?? I think he did a fantastic job that should be admired by all.He was true and he accepted all race, colour and religion. Just because the churches participation drops means that many are not attending not because he was pope because we just dont. Many of us are always busy even to find 1 hour on saturdays or sundays to worship god and be holy. So it was and still is our own choice to attend church and to say because of him levels have dropped is silly.

He will be loved and remembered by all forever!

[GS]

I agree Daria, dont forget that also when he took office there were only 700 mil Catholics there is now 1.1 bil... so the estimates say.

Yes the worlds population has increased as well ... but not to an extent that would warrant a 37% increase in Catholocism. I believe this is becasue he has made himself the most accesible Pontiff ever !! Visiting over 100 countries.

[Daria13]

why thank you gs! ;D

[Ribaric]

Didn't the contraception "rules" have something to do with it?

I know I'm on thin ice here, I really don't mean to upset anyone. However, isn't Croatia an overwhelmingly catholic country? By observation (nothing scientific) the average size of a Croatian immediate family seems to to be 2, maybe 3 children. I guess ABC is about right.

Well said Star, I am with you in this respect.