Pope’s Parting
Posted on April 8th, 2005 by catalyst into the Uncategorized categoryIs it just me, or is the media and the Catholic Church going a little overboard in its coverage and attention to the Pope’s death?
It is as though God has died.
I poke fun at City Bible for its hypocrisy, but, at this point, I am not too impressed with Catholics either. Note to Catholics, “THE POPE ISN’T GOD!” He’s just a smart guy with a lot of power, and a cool pointy hat.
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April 8th, 2005 at 12:27 pm
Well, yes. And no.
I have put my cards on the table here before, but by way of reminder: I am what they call a ‘lapsed’ Catholic, making a slow and steady way back toward my Mother Church.
The passing of John Paul II touched me in that special way.
That said, I do think that the paroxysm of reaction is getting a bit much when the assembled crowd at Saint Peter’s is said to have chanted “Santos! Santos!”, that is to say, are calling for John Paul to be elevated to sainthood.
I also think they’re rushing on the M. Theresa issue. But anyway.
Perhaps as a lapsed Catholic I have the distance needed to let go. It’s not as though his death was unexpected. He was 84, and in frail, frail health. As it is, Church historians are likely to bestow the sobriequetic suffiix “the Great” upon his memory, an honor only four Popes were given, IIRC.
Yes, it’s getting a bit overboard. While the honors befit him as a head of state (which he was), now that he’s interred in the Grotto, it’s time to begin to let go, to move on and forward, and to go back to tilling our individual rows.
God provided Catholics with a Pope to lead and inspire. He also provided us with a life to continue living. To get caught up in endless grieving would be pointless. After all, to us Catholics, he’s already punched his ticket. He’s home.
April 8th, 2005 at 3:53 pm
No one ever said he was. Cynicism will get you nowhere….
April 8th, 2005 at 4:19 pm
“No one ever said he was. Cynicism will get you nowhere….”
I disagree. People should be more cynical; that way you’d have fewer cults and fewer followers.
And you’re right no one has called the Pope “God” but I still think they’re overeacting.
April 8th, 2005 at 8:32 pm
Think about when Princess Diana died and how England reacted or when JFK died and how the American public reacted. Who are we to say how people should grieve?
April 9th, 2005 at 9:12 am
From Yankee Frankie to the Pope…
OPPs you’ve done it again!