The Pontiff in Winter: On John Paul II by John Cornwell

Triumph and Conflict in the Papacy of John Paul II

Pope John Paul II

Pope John Paul II made a great impact on the many cultures of the world in his papal administration and continues to do so for the younger generations who witnessed his presence - online or personally - within the turn to the Third Millenium. His spirituality of mission and holiness created a strong personal stamp to his papacy - a papacy that was very active on the global stage - working for peace in the world, for the unity of Christians, and for interreligious dialogue among different world religions. Many books have been written about his life, his charismatic personality, and his very diplomatic papal administration. One book that provides many details about his person and his papacy is a book written by John Cornwell, "The Pontiff in Winter: Triumph and Conflict in the Reign of John Paul II".

Highlights of the book

Cornwell's book highlights how John Paul had firmly set his stamp on the billion-member-strong Catholic Church not only for the present generations he had served but also for future generations of soon-to-be-baptized Catholics. He has become one of the most influential Catholic political figures in the world - making him deserve a title akin to Gregory the Great and Leo the Great. His papacy marked a significant role in the downfall of communism in Europe, with Poland his home country as the fulcrum for that strategic victory. His apologies for the Catholic Church's treatment of Jews, the victims of the Inquisition, racism, and religious wars are all quite distinctive of a papacy seeking a spirit of reconciliation and unity among divisive forces. It is this stamp in his charismatic papacy that has won him worldwide admiration.

The book, with all praises to John Paul II, is balanced in its presentation. Author John Cornwell exalts John Paul II's "global virtues" but his written accounts speak also about aspects of John Paul's papal administration that appear, or are negative, in the eyes of his critics. In this balanced treatment of John Paul II's papacy, the subjects of misogyny, homophobia, and ecclesiastical tyranny are also dealt with. Those who criticize this diligent and missionary pope say that John Paul's perpetuation of the Church's traditional hierarchical paternalism contributed to the cases of sexual misconduct among the clergy and encouraged the secrecy of these "crimes". Such were the stains emphasized by his critics.

John Paul II's character brought into sharp focus

With a balanced treatment of John Paul II's papal administration, the book also achieves an interesting presentation of John Paul II's complex character. Author John Cornwell states that John Paul's mystical view of history, and the pope's conviction of his mission as divinely established, are both central to the understanding of his person and his pontificate. This developed in John Paul II an increasing sense of "providential rightness" that influenced his reactions to the many problems of his pontificate:

• turbulence in the secular world,
• turbulence within the Church,
• the September 11, 2001 attacks,
• sexual scandals in the United States,
• the clash between Islam and Christianity,
• the ongoing debate over the Church's policies regarding women and their desire for ordination,
• and big social issues such as same-sex unions, abortion, and AIDS.

A book still respectful of John Paul's prodigious spirit

Though the book combines eyewitness reports with information from the best sources (in and outside the pope's inner circle) and tells of both positive and negative aspects of John Paul's pontificate, it is still basically respectful of John Paul II as a person. The book does not discount the prodigious spirit and unrelenting battles he had to fight for, especially in his defense of human rights and religious freedom. Because of this balanced presentation, the eyewitness reports, and the enigmatic portrait painted of his papal character embattled by many forces, the book produced a very moving, elegiac image of John Paul in the winter of his life. It is a thoughtful, incisive, and thorough assessment of his legacy not only to the Catholic Church and her impact on history but also to a world in need of a man and a leader of world peace at the time.

About Author John Cornwell

John Cornwell is also the author of the international bestseller "Hitler's Pope". He is also an award-winning journalist with a lifelong interest in Vatican affairs. He has reported on the pope for "Vanity Fair" and "The Sunday Times" (London). He attended Roman Catholic seminaries in England for seven years, followed by studies in literature and philosophy at Oxford and Cambridge universities.

Chapters in the book

To get some ideas of what the book contains, these are some chapters in the book:

• Prologue: John Paul the Great
• Part One: Holy Theatre 1920-1999
• Close Encounters
• Stagestruck
• The Eternal City
• Professor and Pastor
• Bishop and Cardinal
• Combatting Communism
• Signs of Contradiction
• "Be Not Afraid"
• The Universal Pastor
.....
• Epilogue: The Legacy of John Paul II

Is the book worth reading?

I'd say yes. And for a very special purpose. Since now is a crucial time in the Catholic Church, reading through some book chapters can provide insights and open one's understanding to different perspectives needed to know why it is important to be Catholic today. John Paul II, now St. John Paul II, left a very positive and indelible mark on the soul of Catholics in the Universal Church. His papacy is vital, for he created bridges of trust to counter all the forces that "burn bridges".

Wikipedia's profile on author Cornwell gives a negative view of how Cornwell treated the subject of his book. But this book was published in 2004 A.D., when John Paul II was really in the "winter" of his pontificate - a very tough time for the pontiff who had to struggle against a debilitating ailment. It is common sense to note that when someone is in a state of weakness, all his enemies and political rivals will surely comment on the negative aspects of his work and life. Not so with those who side with the pontiff. And with his pontificate now vindicated by being raised in the altar of canonization, one can see how whatever negative is written in the book, can be balanced and seen in more objective perspectives.

There can be no denying that St. John Paul II has embodied the ideal missionary spirit of St. Paul of being all things for all men for the sake of Christ and His gospel. If Catholics are to know the right direction in which they are to tread in a world marked by so much pluralism and unchecked liberalism, the papal legacy of St. John Paul can be that steady anchor during political storms, that firm and straight keel, to guide the Church, the boat of St. Peter, safely to the shore where Christ our Lord awaits.

References: Books, Websites & AI Search Results

• [1] John Cornwell (writer), Wikipedia.org

Passion Sunday (C)

(Edited) Sunday Reflections (from) Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

Passion Sunday (C), March 24, 2013
Liturgical readings
Isaiah 50:4-7
Psalm 22
Philippians 2:6-11
Luke 22:14 - 23:56

"Do this as a remembrance of me."

The story of the Lord's Passion evokes an intensity and depth of feeling among Catholics. In the Philippines, the passion narrative is presented in Mass as a dialogue or a dramatization - with the priest-presider speaking the lines of Jesus, and the other members of the congregation taking the roles of Pontius Pilate, Simon Peter, the crowds, etc. This passion narrative in the gospel of Luke includes: the Last Supper event; the agony of the Lord in the Mount of Olives; the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot; the arrest, trial and condemnation of the Lord; the denial of Jesus by Simon Peter; the crucifixion and death of Jesus; and the burial of the Lord by Joseph of Arimathea.

We can learn about the mystery of the Lord's Passion not only in this gospel narrative in Luke, but also in traditional sources such as the homily of St. Gregory Nazianzen. St. Gregory Nazianzen can help us to see the Lord's Passion and his Cross as a call to stop sinning and receive our salvation. Written below is a quote from that homily:

"For your sake, and because of your sin, Christ himself was regarded as a sinner; for his sake, therefore, you must cease to sin. Worship him who was hung on the cross because of you, even if you are hanging there yourself [like one of the two criminals]. Derive some benefit from the very shame, purchase salvation with your death. Enter paradise with Jesus, and discover how far you have fallen."

The Lord's Passion reveals God's mercy for all humanity - for all who have sinned. His Passion shows as a Way to return to the Father. Thus, to do our part, we can show our love for God by our fidelity to the Lenten discipline. It is not easy to pray, to abstain and fast, and to practice works of charity faithfully during the whole Lenten season. But it is a discipline that is needed to be practiced every year. In whatever one has fallen short of this year, or was amiss in what is required for this Lent, can be hopefully seen as an opportunity to make amends, and to strengthen one's resolve to cease from sin: to love the Lord with a work and life that pleases Him and serves others - recalling His words "Do this as a remembrance of me".

Scripture quotes for reflection:

"Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear." (Isaiah 50)
"They have pierced my hands and my feet; I can count all my bones." (Psalm 22)
"He emptied himself and took the form of a slave." (Philippians 2)

Spiritualities of the Heart

"Spiritualities of the Heart: Approaches to Personal Wholeness in Christian Tradition", edited by Annice Callahan, R.S.C.J.

Catholic spirituality is the way of prayer and work by which Catholics follow Christ. Most seasoned Catholics are inspired to follow the spirituality of a Saint whose life inspires them, or whose path in following Christ is a path similar to theirs. Now, every Saint follows a distinct way of praying and working in the Catholic mission or apostolate. Some saints are more contemplative and others are more active. But both are just as holy and just as close to the imitation of Christ in their particular way of following the Lord. What is important is to discern what balance of contemplative or active life one can follow Christ, and the Saint he is inspired to follow, so that the outcome of one's work and life is beneficial not only to oneself, the community where one belongs, but also for the common good.

For anyone who wants to know the Saints, and how their influential spiritualities have contributed much to the building of the Christian faith with institutes that dotted two millenia of history, the book Spiritualities of the Heart is a very good source. It spans the development of Christian spirituality from as early as the time of Irenaeus of Lyons, up to present day writer Henri Nouwen. The focus of the book is seeing the "heart" as the locus of faith in God and others.

Contains primary sources and current scholarship

The book combines primary sources (from the original writings of the 14 spiritual masters featured in the book) with current scholarship (contemporary expositions on the 14 Catholic spiritualities). This manner of presentation is a great help to understand the general history of Catholic spirituality. Though there are many contributors in the book, all have focused on the importance of the heart as a major symbol of Catholic spirituality.

Use of the book

This book is applicable for academic purposes or for personal growth - especially for those who have advanced in their understanding of the Catholic faith. It is also an excellent supplementary source for those who wish to advance in their knowledge of Christianity, its history, its great Catholic spiritual teachers, and their theological thinking.

Spiritual writers featured

The great spiritual writers featured in this book:

• Irenaeus of Lyons
• Augustine of Hippo
• Bonaventure
• Thomas Aquinas
• Catherine of Siena
• Martin Luther
• Ignatius of Loyola
• Teresa of Avila
• John of the Cross
• Francis de Sales and Jane de Chantal
• Madeleine Sophie Barat
• Teilhard de Chardin
• Jean Vanier
• Henri Nouwen

A very scholarly exposition

Each of the 14 contributors of the book have treated their subjects in an excellent manner. They have provided exceptional endnotes in the book for further research and study. Those who are doing any formal paper on Catholic spirituality will find this book a boon for his research.

The 14 contributors who wrote about the 14 spiritual writers mentioned above:

• Mary Ann Donovan
• Walter Principe
• Harvey D. Egan
• Wendy M. Wright
• Michael Downey
• Mary T. Clark
• Suzanne Noffke
• Margaret Brennan
• Mary Quinlan
• Annice Callahan [the editor of the book, is professor of spiritual theology at Regis College in Toronto]
• Elizabeth Dreyer
• Jared Wicks
• Keith J. Egan
• Robert Faricy

Though very scholarly presented and theologically insightful, the exposition of Christian principles taught by the 14 Catholic spiritualities featured can be basically applied today. From Irenaeus in ca. 130-202 A.D. to Henri Nouwen in our own time, what can easily be digested is that one's love for God and others, can be appropriately symbolized and seen in all simplicity, in the "heart" of one's core and being where the love of God and His love for all dwells..