SOME THOUGHTS ON POPE JOHN PAUL II

A great leader has gone from our motal midsts.

Pope John Paul II, leader of the world's one-plus billion Roman Catholics, died earlier this afternoon in his Vatican apartment.

While I did not agree with some of the stands that he took on various issues, I certainly respected and admired greatly the pontiff and his remarkable life. He was considered too liberal by some, and too conservative by others. But he held solidly to his faith and beliefs, not willing to waver according to what public opinion was at a given moment.

The pope was truly a remarkable man. A gifted poet and playwright who originally considered entering the theatre. Fluent in 11 languages. Survived not only the Nazi occupation of his native Poland and the Communist regime that followed, but an assassination attempt that nearly took his life. He stood up to the Iron Curtain by supporting the Solaidarity labour movement in Poland, worked to bring believers of all faiths together, including being the first pope to enter a synagogue as well as a mosque. And while he opposed the ordination of women as priests, it was during his papcy that their role in the Church was increased significantly.

Also, in constrast to previous pontiffs, John Paul II didn't stay cloistered in the Vatican as a distant leader beyond the reach of us. He believed in, and followed, the instruction of Jesus to go out and spread the word. In many ways his almost constant travels brought him --- and to a great extent, the Church --- closer to the people.

It is a sad day, because I am afraid that we will not see a man of his kind for a very long time, if ever. Pope John Paul II has gone to his eternal reward, and while we mourn his passing and our own loss, we should celebrate his life and the fact that we were present while he ministered on earth.

May he rest in peace in the bosom of the Almighty.