Pope John Paul II is, so to say, a real 'Media-Pope'. But does Christianity need a Pope that appears almost daily on TV and who has got his own internet-site?

-- eelco storm (eelco_storm@hotmail.com), September 14, 1999

Answers

This Catholic believes our current Pope is the greatest thing since canned milk. His opening the doors of the Vatican to the world via travelling and the use of modern media(s) in unprecentented in many ways. He is a breath of fresh air.

-- jean bouchardRC (jeanb@cwk.imag.net), September 14, 1999.

To the RCC the pope is the head authority of the church. He is loved by all because in him you find what is missing in the world. A breath of fresh air as well as a good role model. Thank you John Paul.

-- Pamela (Rosylace@aol.com), September 14, 1999.

1. Peter 2. Leo The Great 3. Gregory The Great 4. Pius V 5. John Paul II

In my opinion, these are the most important Popes in History. We are living a historic moment, mind you!

John Paul, together with Pius X, Madre Teresa and Bl. Josemaria Escriva are probably the most influential saints of this century. And John Paul will probably be the first catholic saint in the 3rd century. To have a pope as the first saint in a millenium is surely hopeful!

There is an american well known priest, Andrew Greeley, who says many absurds, but in this he is right: in the world of mass-media and intantaneous communications, the leader of the Catholic Church has been granted a pulpit as no other priest ever had... and he must use it, be it his will or not. The Pope is today the number one platform for evangelization on the Church. Future Cardinals must consider this new dimension of papacy from now on, in any new election of a Pope. As a matter of fact, I would not be happy to be the successor of this Pope...

-- Atila (me@somewhere.com), September 14, 1999.

Dear eelco storm, Why not? Isn't his message as important as The Backstreet Boys? They're on TV every day and have many internet sites. All world leaders need to get their messages out to the people and if using the internet or TV or radio or whatever is the means most efficient, then go for it. Ellen

-- Ellen K. Hornby (dkh@canada.com), September 16, 1999.

This world is immense. There are anonymous churches everywhere; all of which want to be seen as legitimate churches of Christ. In the U.S. alone, a multitude of ''Christian'' churches contends for believers, straining after credibility and status. If ever they are challenged for credentials, they fall back on the ''authority'' of the Bible; with no other visible cause for existence. ''Christian'' to most of them is merely ''accepting Jesus as your personal Savior, and being saved.'' Period. Some do not even call a believer to Baptism.

Is the Pope of Roman Catholicism an imposter, an ant-Christ, ''the beast'', to all those rival Christian communities? Not always, but not infrequently. You see, the Pope is a lightning-rod. He is high-profile and unmistakably VISIBLE. They point the finger at the Pope, in fact BECAUSE he stands out from the false pretenders. There is no mistaking him as the Vicar of Christ from the beginning.

How else would the Catholic Church distinguish itself in the world from the rest of these ''pastors'' and ''preachers''--? Quoting from the Scriptures? They do that incessantly and without authority or credibility, except in their own houses.

The Catholic Church depends through the ages for its unique mission and authority on him; the Holy Father. He is in direct succession from the holy Apostle Peter, and NO ONE ELSE can claim that.

Are we obliged then, to worship him, to place him in a position equal to Christ; as many Protestants claim?

No, we aren't and we mustn't. He is a man. He can be saintly, and he can be unworthy, as some Popes have been. Usually, he has great claims on our love, on a human plane. Practically speaking, as we love our own fathers. It is natural for us to look upon him as a father; he can hardly help being paternal and protective of his Church. It is a flock and he is the Shepherd. But how many Protestants can be bothered to make this distinction?

In many cases they only see a rival to their authority, or an obstacle to their own preaching. He is someone to be disparaged and debunked, or their own position will be seen as misguided, insecure. Precisely because he is VISIBLE. He is a beacon that states unmistakably, don't lose your way-- the Church of Our Blessed Savior is HERE. That is the main reason we in the Church must always have a Pope.

-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), October 28, 2000.