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kame_suunchi
Member
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# Posted: 2 Apr 2005 14:37
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dear OTFers
Trying to write as I'm deeply sorry now - Poland and the world lost a wonderful person - John Paul II. He was Polish and since I'm the only Polish person at OTF and let me say in short words we loved him deeply and our loss is enormous. Poland mourns these days and of course me and my family does too.
Rest in peace dear Father
Kame
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anth
Member
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# Posted: 2 Apr 2005 15:14
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Kame : My uncle was Polish, and i can understand exactly what you're saying and going through. Becuase i know how much John Paul II was loved in his house.
We've followed the news all day here. And i'd like to pass on my sympathy to all who are mourning.
He was a great man.
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quincyw
Member
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# Posted: 2 Apr 2005 15:41
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I'm not religious in any sense of the word, but as I was watching the news, I was moved to tears. Even with the slightly grainy TV reports, I could see the warmth and love he gave and I could see the hope he brought to countless millions that he met and embraced personally.
For all the years he spent travelling and trying to make a better world for us all, even those of us who might not share his wisdom and kindness, I believe that he himself has found his peace at last.
*Stands at respectful silence and moves off quietly*
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anthony_zuk
Member
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# Posted: 2 Apr 2005 18:26
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I'm half Polish and I too am greatly saddened by the passing of such a great man and a personal hero of mine. Nothing more to say except rest in peace.
Zuk
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jadzia_jones1
Member
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# Posted: 3 Apr 2005 04:53
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Obituary: Pope John Paul II
John Paul II transformed the papacy
Karol Wojtyla's election as Pope in 1978 stunned the Catholic world. Not one expert had tipped the 58-year-old bishop of Krakow for the top job.
His stand against Poland's Communist regime had brought him respect. But he was not part of the Vatican "in-crowd" and, above all, he was the first non-Italian pope in more than 450 years.
He went on to become one of the most familiar faces in the world. His papal odyssey covered more than 120 countries and he earned himself the reputation of an international fighter for freedom.
But, to his critics, John Paul II was the arch-conservative - an autocrat whose pronouncements on abortion, contraception and women's rights have had an effect on millions of lives.
Theologian in hiding
The youngest pope of the 20th Century was born near Krakow, Poland, in 1920. As a young man he excelled at sports, including soccer and skiing. He also had a great love for the theatre and, at one time, seriously considered becoming an actor.
Archbishop of Krakow
World War II and the Nazi occupation saw Karol Wojtyla working as a labourer. He studied theology from 1942 and was forced into hiding in 1944 following a crackdown on religious teaching.
Continuing his studies after the war, he was ordained a priest in 1946. Rapid promotion followed and by 1964 he was archbishop of the city. Three years later he was a cardinal.
Throughout, he had continued his theological studies and was often seen in Rome, but no more than dozens of other cardinals from distant and obscure dioceses.
Approachable
"The Year of the Three Popes" came in 1978. Pope Paul VI died at the age of 80. His successor, elected in a single day, took the name John Paul in memory of his two predecessors. Thirty-three days later he, too, was dead.
The Pope as a boy
Once again the College of Cardinals conducted the centuries-old ritual of a papal election in the Sistine Chapel. After two days of deliberation, Karol Wojtyla became the next successor to St Peter.
Taking the name John Paul II, the new pontiff signalled a new era in Catholic affairs. He was dynamic and approachable, an instantly recognisable leader for the world's largest Christian community.
Above all, he travelled. On an early trip to Ireland, he appealed to the men of violence to return to the ways of peace. American Catholics saw him reject all calls for a change in moral teaching.
Ecumenical services
But his insistence on getting close to crowds almost led to his death in May 1981. Leaning out of his vehicle in St Peter's Square, he was shot and seriously wounded by a Turkish fanatic. After a long recovery, he visited and forgave his would-be assassin Mehmet Ali Agca.
The Pope moments after being shot
In 1982 he visited Britain. This was a historically charged trip made all the more important as it occurred during the Falklands crisis. For the first time since the Reformation, the Pope met the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The Pope appealed for a peaceful end to the Falklands issue, a plea which was mirrored in a visit to Argentina days later. He participated in a number of ecumenical services with the Church of England, something unthinkable in previous eras.
Huge crowds, Catholic and Protestant, attended his every move and the talk was of union between Rome and Canterbury - a union which today seems as far away as ever, because of the issue of women priests.
Influential in eastern bloc
With the break-up of the Soviet bloc, relations between the Kremlin and the Vatican gained a new significance. In 1989, Mikhail Gorbachev visited Rome, the first time a Soviet leader had crossed the threshold of St Peter's.
With Archbishop Robert Runcie in Canterbury, 1982
"The Pope," he told his wife Raisa at the time, "is the pre-eminent moral authority in the world. But he's still a Slav." The understanding between the two men undoubtedly eased the way to democracy in the eastern bloc.
The collapse of Communism coincided with increasing demands in the West for a compromise on religious teaching. By consistently rejecting these calls, John Paul effectively closed the debate before it had started.
He was a complex man. While calling for action to combat world poverty, he insisted that contraception was morally unacceptable. He said that he wanted to improve the status of women while writing that motherhood should be a woman's natural aspiration.
Reign saw great change
He frequently criticised the liberalism which he saw all around him. Homosexuals incurred both his wrath and his pity, to the dismay of campaigners for gay rights.
Although dogged by ill-health in later years, the journeys continued - to Cuba, Nigeria, former Yugoslav republics and the Holy Land, each with its own particular set of pastoral and political problems.
A frail Pontiff
In 2002, the Pope made an emotional and nostalgic final visit to his homeland, flying over his birthplace in Wadowice and visiting the graves of his parents and brother in Krakow.
Once again, vast crowds turned out to see the man many Poles regarded as a living saint and who had, they believed, played a key role in liberating them from Communism.
John Paul's reign also saw other radical changes throughout the world - including the emergence of Aids.
And he had to deal with an increasing number of sex abuse scandals which have recently beset the Catholic Church.
Throughout his reign, his work to maintain the dignity of mankind against what he saw as the dangers of modern life, together with his personal magnetism, made Pope John Paul II one of the most remarkable men of his times.
1920 - 2005
The Pope died in his private apartment at the Vatican at 2137 local time (1937 GMT) on Saturday, surrounded by his closest Polish aides.
I thought you might be interested in a little background on the Pope.
I don't think you have to be Polish to appreciate how much good this man has done for the world. As said above, he was the only Pope to travail the world, and learn enough of the language to say a greeting and a prayer.
Even if you are not Catholic, and have no religious beliefs, you must admit this man was great. I hope he gets a Saint hood.
* Jadzia *
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kame_suunchi
Member
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# Posted: 3 Apr 2005 05:32
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Jadzia thank you from the bottom of my heart for this, I should have done that but each time I see news about him I start crying - I'm truly heartbroken and so is all Poland. We don't see him as a church leader or an official, but as a close member of family. Thank you all, anth, quincy, Zuk - everyone - I do appreciate your words - as a Polish person and friend. I need time off now as it's really heavy on my heart. He indeed freed us from communism that was imposed on us against our will and lifted our spirits. Each time I look outside and see national flags with black ribbons I cry again and again... better go now and try to heal, its beyond words
Kame
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ajcardall
Member
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# Posted: 3 Apr 2005 06:16
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I'm not religious, nor do I claim to be, but I am saddened by the Pope's death. He was a great man and has done much during his pontifcate. I don't agree with his conservative views but I still have deep respect for him.
May he spend eternity in the company of the Lord our God.
Rest In Peace, John Paull II (Karol Wojtyla)
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citron
Member
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# Posted: 3 Apr 2005 06:35
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He was one world leader who truly enjoyed his calling in life. While it's true that he was conservative and you may disagree, you have to respect him for his beliefs, he stuck to them .
I spent most of yesterday night crying as he was a great man and the only Pope I've known.
Upon knowing about the thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Pope said: "I know you have come to me and for this reason I thank you."
Even while dying, he was selfless, always thinking of others.
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wenche_from_norway
Member
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# Posted: 3 Apr 2005 09:33
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Not only catholics in the world are morning for this great man`s death,all over the world,whatever religon or oppinion morns this man.
Sure he had some oppinions that pepol not agreed on,but he did not force them on pepol as I see it,and he did have his points in those oppinions.
He was not just a pope,he was a human with tremendes warmth,and humanety in his heart,this shown in meny occations but epetialy when he forgave the assasin in 1983,most pepol wouldent have even tught sutch a tught,but John Paul the 2 forgave this man with his heart and soul.
He could have also ignored the comen man and the pepol in U-contrys,however he dident he came there,and spoke to ordenery pepol.
The last but not least that made pepol respect this man was his oppinion that religons should respect one another.
*burst into applose showing respect*
RIP Pope John Paul the 2 and mey your work be continued.
Wenche
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kevkc
Member
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# Posted: 3 Apr 2005 11:05
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As a catholic, the death of the pope saddened me greatly...
But as an Irish person, the death seemed to have more of an effect on me. The Pope is remembered fondly here and those who were alive for his 1979 visit remember him with great joy and happiness.
He was a great man, one with whom I dont agree with on many topics, but certainly a great man.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Athair na trócaire, ceangail leat féin do chlann uile, cibé áit a bhfuil siad scaipthe. Lig isteach go geanúil i do ríocht ár muintir atá marbh agus gach duine atá imithe as an saol seo faoi do ghnaoí. Is é ár ndóchas go mbeimidne ina gcuideachta siúd, ionas go mbainfimid aoibhneas as do ghlóir, i dteannta a chéile go deo, trí Chríost an dTiarna trína mbronnann tú gach maitheas ar an saol.
KC
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wedge
Member
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# Posted: 3 Apr 2005 19:55
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I haven't really known what to say, but I've felt a need to say something. So here are my words, I say words because I really don't know if they will make any sense.
I have been following his health for months now, it really wasn't a shock to find out his health had taken a turn for the worst on Thursday. The gravity of the situation really didn't strike me right away, however, after several days of keeping a close eye on the situation it slowly began to dawn on me. John Paul II, Karol Wojtyla; this giant among men(and yet he was so humble?), this indefatigable force of life who, I'd seen for so long suffer and perservere through illness and adversity to become a living testament to the ideal's he preached, was leaving us.
Perhaps the thing that moved me most though was a statment he made, upon learning of the numbers of young who were present in the crowd mourning him; "I have looked for you," the pope is quoted as saying. "Now you have come to me. And I thank you."
I never really wanted to cry more than after reading that. Our Holy Father, You've found us. You've found us.
Karol Wojtyla was really one of the only true hero's I've ever had. As Archbishop Sandri said upon making the announcment,
"We all feel like orphans this evening."
As the Pope of Life though, he would not want us to mourn for him, but rather he'd call for us to rejoice for him.
Karol, I will miss you. Thank you for everything you've given us. We shall miss you. I shall miss you.
Now cracks a Nobel heart. Good Night, Sweet Prince,
And flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest.
My love to you, and May God Bless you.
-Paul Francis Xavier
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