The tattered legacy of John Paul II

While most of the media around the world has migrated from death watch coverage to mourning overdrive of John Paul, a few people are raising serious issues related to John Paul II. Even here in Paris friends seem to be revolted by the excessive news coverage, especially for a "leader" who is not really in touch with modern values. His refusal to accept the use of condoms is unforgivable in my opinion. More recently, his failure to act with the rampant pedophilia problems within the church may very well be his lasting legacy. This article in today’s Post offers a proper contrast to the otherwise glowing obituaries. It's nice to see that the Pope could apologize for ancient history but somehow, he just could never manage to offer a serious apology for anything that occurred during his own reign.

During his long reign, Pope John Paul II apologized to Muslims for the Crusades, to Jews for anti-Semitism, to Orthodox Christians for the sacking of Constantinople, to Italians for the Vatican's associations with the Mafia and to scientists for the persecution of Galileo.

He apologized so often, in fact, that an Italian journalist compiled a book of more than 90 papal statements of contrition.

Yet victims' groups say the pope never apologized adequately for the most shocking behavior that came to light on his watch: sexual abuse of children by priests and the church's attempts to hush it up. To some alleged victims, that is a puzzling omission and a deep stain on his legacy.

And now brace yourself for the classic "blame everything on those damned 60's hippies. Now where have we heard similar anti 60's rants before? Who are the idiots that are drinking this Kool-Aid? I'm still searching for a serious apology and now that he's dead, we certainly never will see it from John Paul II.

Like many traditionalist Catholics, [Papal biographer George] Weigel also contends that the origins of the scandal lie in the 1960s, under previous popes who tolerated dissent and allowed a gay subculture to develop in the priesthood. The solution, in his view, is to continue down the path set by John Paul: strict fidelity to church teachings that support celibacy for priests and condemn homosexual activity.