There are several
news stories noting that Jonh Paul II will become the third longest serving pope tomorrow. (The Yahoo!/AP article linked from Drudge erroneously states that Pius IX (think Immaculate Conception and Papal Infallibility) served 25 years until his death in 1903. It was actually Leo XII.)
Perhaps the question is worth asking: Should we celebrate John Paul II's papacy? If so, to what degree? Take the poll! Leave comments. I want to know your thoughts. Here are mine.
Homosexuality Many discussions of this pope begin and end with human sexuality issues. He has consistently held the party line on homosexuality. While many religious thinkers have tried look to the future as they advocated for the full-inclusion of homosexuals in the church and civil society, this pope seems rooted in the past.
Abortion Again, the Church has barely budged on this issue. To their credit, perhaps, they have maintained a consistent "pro-life" ethic in opposing not only contraception and abortion, but capital punishment and war as well.
Clergy sex abuse The pope and the Vatican have probably not accepted their fair share of the responsibility for clerical sexual misconduct, which is a worldwide phenomenon.
Clerical celibacy This policy has always mystified me. While I admire the commitment/discipline aspect, I resent the implication that sexuality is incompatible with a life of service to the church. Mandatory celibacy vastly reduces the number of potential priests, and disproportionately attracts homosexual men to the ministry (what better place to "hide"?)
On to the positives:
Peace and freedom This pope has been a consistent voice for peace. Though apparently not a pacifist, he has spoken out against violence and needless bloodshed in war.
Democracy John Paul II was a major impetus for the emergence of democratic governments in Eastern Europe, particularly Poland. Many observers think that Cardinal Arinze of Nigeria may become the next pope. I think it would be great to have a black African pope, and if that is the case I hope he can represent for Africa what John Paul II has represented for Poland.
Interreligious relations I think it's fair to say that this pope has done more to spur interfaith dialogue than any other. Pope John XXII and the Second Vatican Council formally apologized for two millennia of often thinly-veiled anti-Semitism, and Pope John Paul II has backed up the sentiment of Vatican II with his actions. The pope has also reached out to Muslims around the world, a courageous gesture that was unthinkable only decades ago.
Social Justice John Paul II has ably stood in a long and admirable tradition of Catholic social teaching that dates to Pope Leo XIII (Rerum Novarum , 1891), Pope Pius XI (Quadrigessimo Anno, 1941), Pope John XXIII (Mater et Magistra, 1961 and Pacem in Terris, 1963), and Pope Paul VI (Populoroum Progerssio, 1967). John Paul II's major encyclicals are Laborem Exercens (On Human Work), 1981, Solicitudo Rei Socialis (On Social Concern), 1987, and Centissimus Annus (On the Hundredth Year [after Rerum Novarum]), 1991. All these documents, accessible on this Jesuit website, develop sound biblical and theological arguments for why we ought to work for justice in the areas of human dignity, human rights, development, peace, economic systems, worker rights, poverty, liberation, solidarity, and ecological concerns.
Conclusion Think what you may about Catholicism or Christianity in general, but I find this pope to be an honorable man, admirable in many ways. With the notable exception of human sexuality issues, the words and actions of this pope should resonate with the concerns of political liberals and social progressives - and cause conservatives to reexamine their own allegedly religious justifications for their social views.