Triumph and Conflict in the Papacy of John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II made a great impact on the many cultures of the world in his papal administration and continues to do so for the younger generations who witnessed his presence - online or personally - within the turn to the Third Millenium. His spirituality of mission and holiness created a strong personal stamp to his papacy - a papacy that was very active on the global stage - working for peace in the world, for the unity of Christians, and for interreligious dialogue among different world religions. Many books have been written about his life, his charismatic personality, and his very diplomatic papal administration. One book that provides many details about his person and his papacy is a book written by John Cornwell, "The Pontiff in Winter: Triumph and Conflict in the Reign of John Paul II".
Highlights of the book
Cornwell's book highlights how John Paul had firmly set his stamp on the billion-member-strong Catholic Church not only for the present generations he had served but also for future generations of soon-to-be-baptized Catholics. He has become one of the most influential Catholic political figures in the world - making him deserve a title akin to Gregory the Great and Leo the Great. His papacy marked a significant role in the downfall of communism in Europe, with Poland his home country as the fulcrum for that strategic victory. His apologies for the Catholic Church's treatment of Jews, the victims of the Inquisition, racism, and religious wars are all quite distinctive of a papacy seeking a spirit of reconciliation and unity among divisive forces. It is this stamp in his charismatic papacy that has won him worldwide admiration.
The book, with all praises to John Paul II, is balanced in its presentation. Author John Cornwell exalts John Paul II's "global virtues" but his written accounts speak also about aspects of John Paul's papal administration that appear, or are negative, in the eyes of his critics. In this balanced treatment of John Paul II's papacy, the subjects of misogyny, homophobia, and ecclesiastical tyranny are also dealt with. Those who criticize this diligent and missionary pope say that John Paul's perpetuation of the Church's traditional hierarchical paternalism contributed to the cases of sexual misconduct among the clergy and encouraged the secrecy of these "crimes". Such were the stains emphasized by his critics.
John Paul II's character brought into sharp focus
With a balanced treatment of John Paul II's papal administration, the book also achieves an interesting presentation of John Paul II's complex character. Author John Cornwell states that John Paul's mystical view of history, and the pope's conviction of his mission as divinely established, are both central to the understanding of his person and his pontificate. This developed in John Paul II an increasing sense of "providential rightness" that influenced his reactions to the many problems of his pontificate:
- turbulence in the secular world,
- turbulence within the Church,
- the September 11, 2001 attacks,
- sexual scandals in the United States,
- the clash between Islam and Christianity,
- the ongoing debate over the Church's policies regarding women and their desire for ordination,
- and big social issues such as same-sex unions, abortion, and AIDS.
A book still respectful of John Paul's prodigious spirit
Though the book combines eyewitness reports with information from the best sources (in and outside the pope's inner circle) and tells of both positive and negative aspects of John Paul's pontificate, it is still basically respectful of John Paul II as a person. The book does not discount the prodigious spirit and unrelenting battles he had to fight for, especially in his defense of human rights and religious freedom. Because of this balanced presentation, the eyewitness reports, and the enigmatic portrait painted of his papal character embattled by many forces, the book produced a very moving, elegiac image of John Paul in the winter of his life. It is a thoughtful, incisive, and thorough assessment of his legacy not only to the Catholic Church and her impact on history but also to a world in need of a man and a leader of world peace at the time.
About Author John Cornwell
John Cornwell is also the author of the international bestseller "Hitler's Pope". He is also an award-winning journalist with a lifelong interest in Vatican affairs. He has reported on the pope for "Vanity Fair" and "The Sunday Times" (London). He attended Roman Catholic seminaries in England for seven years, followed by studies in literature and philosophy at Oxford and Cambridge universities.
Chapters in the book
To get some ideas of what the book contains, these are some chapters in the book:
- Prologue: John Paul the Great
- Part One: Holy Theatre 1920-1999
- Close Encounters
- Stagestruck
- The Eternal City
- Professor and Pastor
- Bishop and Cardinal
- Combatting Communism
- Signs of Contradiction
- "Be Not Afraid"
- The Universal Pastor .....
- Epilogue: The Legacy of John Paul II
Is the book worth reading?
I'd say yes. And for a very special purpose. Since now is a crucial time in the Catholic Church, reading through some book chapters can provide insights and open one's understanding to different perspectives needed to know why it is important to be Catholic today. John Paul II, now St. John Paul II, left a very positive and indelible mark on the soul of Catholics in the Universal Church. His papacy is vital, for he created bridges of trust to counter all the forces that "burn bridges".
Wikipedia's profile on author Cornwell gives a negative view of how Cornwell treated the subject of his book. But this book was published in 2004 A.D., when John Paul II was really in the "winter" of his pontificate - a very tough time for the pontiff who had to struggle against a debilitating ailment. It is common sense to note that when someone is in a state of weakness, all his enemies and political rivals will surely comment on the negative aspects of his work and life. Not so with those who side with the pontiff. And with his pontificate now vindicated by being raised in the altar of canonization, one can see how whatever negative is written in the book, can be balanced and seen in more objective perspectives.
There can be no denying that St. John Paul II has embodied the ideal missionary spirit of St. Paul of being all things for all men for the sake of Christ and His gospel. If Catholics are to know the right direction in which they are to tread in a world marked by so much pluralism and unchecked liberalism, the papal legacy of St. John Paul can be that steady anchor during political storms, that firm and straight keel, to guide the Church, the boat of St. Peter, safely to the shore where Christ our Lord awaits.
References: Books, Websites & AI Search Results
- [1] John Cornwell (writer), Wikipedia.org
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