I'm posting this from a previous response:

This time you are mistaken, Ramanie. He is not "too frail." Although Pope John Paul II cannot do as much as he could in the past, the media are already saying that he has made significant progress toward recovery, thanks to his tracheotomy. Even if he were declining, however, I would say that he can and does "lead the Catholic Church," for one can "lead" in ways that do not involve administrative work or travel (for example, the "leadership" by example, represented by accepting suffering in union with Jesus on the cross).

-- (Catholic@Forum.lover), February 27, 2005.

Be realistic, the Pope is dying....he's at his end. It's all a matter of time. Don't neglect what is destined to happen. The Pope cannot lead anymore...He lacks the many attributes to lead.

John

-- John (Anonymous@who.com), March 04, 2005

Answers

There is an old Chinese Proverb.

"The fool speaks ill of the aged in heir infirmity, and neglecxts their wosdom."

This applies here.

-- ZAROVE (ZAROFF3@JUNO.COM), March 04, 2005.

John, we are ALL dying..who among us can be guaranteed to be alive tomorrow morning, or the next day, or next week? You are 100% correct that it is destined for Pope John Paul II to die. Just as it is for you and I as well. I don't know anyone who gets younger with each passing day.

"he cannot lead anymore"..I don't understand why you would say that, since he IS leading right now, this very minute. Certainly nobody else is Pontiff of the Catholic Church.

"he lacks the many attributes to lead"..of course this is your own opinion. Many millions of Catholics disagree with you, but I think you are already aware of that.

-- Lesley (martchas@hotmail.com), March 04, 2005.

Hi Lesley,

Well said. I fully agree with the Catholic@Forum.lover. When I said he was frail it was the fraility of body not the spirit. I am sorry for not being specific. God bless

-- Ramanie Weerasinghe (lilanw@yahoo.com), March 04, 2005.

"The Pope cannot lead anymore...He lacks the many attributes to lead."

Leadership only requires that he is able to function mentally, spiritually and be able to communicate it to those who will execute his commands.

So unless you are aware of any deficits in these areas, he still has the God given tools to remain a solid leader.

-- Michael G. (NoEmail@Nowhere.no), March 05, 2005.

Thank you, Ramanie. Sadly, it appears that John wants the pope to die ASAP.

It was announced yesterday that the pope has made further progress in his recovery. He is eating, sitting in an armchair for several hours daily, concelebrating Mass, and even carrying on a light period of daily work ("audiences") with his closest curial advisors, who no doubt seek his approval of what they want to do for the Church. Perhaps he has done more for the world in the past few weeks (merely through his increased prayer and suffering) than in many previous months. Only God knows.

-- (Catholic@Forum.lover), March 05, 2005.

The office of the Pope is not so much about "what he can do," but "who he is." I am not in any way saying that the Papacy should be regulated to something similar to a powerless monarch like in England. But I do believe that the Pope is our father, and fatherhood can not be disposed of. Even is sickness, we should stick by him. John Paul II stuck by us always and was a good and patient and loving pastor. Expecting him to resign because he cannot function like he used to is un-Christian and a sign of an ungrateful son or daughter.

In fact, even today he is still teaching us and guiding us. In his old age, and in his "frailty" he is still teaching us about the value of human life and about family. He is still a human being, and he is still our Holy Father. He is teaching us one final lesson. We must learn to respect our aging relatives and friends and fellow citizens. He is writing an encyclical into our memories. It is an encyclical on the value and dignity of those who are aging and those who suffer.

-- brian (brian@brian.com), March 05, 2005.

Hi Brian and Catholic@Forum.lover,

I agree with you fully. Well done. Our dear Pope is sure giving us a real example of being Christlike. God bless.

-- Ramanie Weerasinghe (lilanw@yahoo.com), March 05, 2005.