Appreciation of Pope John Paul II--by a very liberal Manila columnist

Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist Conrado de Quiros (an intelligent, very practical and liberal fellow) writes of the late Pope John Paul II:

"PEOPLE"

"THAT was the one thing I recalled, too, the huge crowds that turned out to greet the Pope when he visited this country in 1995. Which was more than turned out to greet rock stars. You could sense a genuine affection for him in that throng. He was a father to Filipinos in more than a titular or symbolic sense. He was so in the concern he showed for a people caught in the grip of a new Diaspora.

The other thing I recalled was the lack in his entourage of dogs held on leash by Hollywood-heavies-types sniffing other people's balls. A typical sight at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport when US officials descended upon the natives to see for themselves how well their wishes were being carried out, at that time with respect to the Visiting Forces Agreement in particular. The Pope traveled simply. Of course, he had his security, but they weren't obtrusive, citing as their excuse for being overbearing that they were just doing their jobs, which is pissing off people.

Call it courage or faith, but the Pope didn't particularly fear for his life, notwithstanding that a Turkish extremist had shot and wounded him in 1981. (He subsequently visited the fellow, who is serving a life sentence in Italy, and forgave him; the man thenceforth called him "brother.") Or far more than that, he didn't fear for his life, he loved people too much to even think about it. Though he had taken the most controversial positions on world affairs, he was loved and respected, not hated and feared. He reached out to crowds, and the crowds reached out to him."


For the complete article, go to:

http://news.inq7.net/opinion/index.php?index=2&story_id=32594&col=77