John Paul Ii: Is History Revising Its Opinion? Does He Deserve to Be Called a Saint?, The Readsamovar, May 13, 2011

John Paul Ii: Is History Revising Its Opinion? Does He Deserve to Be Called a Saint?

The Readsamovar
May 13, 2011

http://readsamovar.wordpress.com/2011/05/12/sunset-of-an-era-john-paul-ii-is-history-revising-its-opinion-does-he-deserve-to-be-called-a-saint/

Maurizio Cattalan, The Ninth Hour

A million people showed up in St Peter’s Square for the rites of beatification of John Paul the II, an ascent toward canonization that can be compared to another papal candidacy for sainthood, Pope Pius XII. But the ‘Jewish friendly’ pope, is still held back by accusations that he kept silent over the Holocaust.

First passionate pilgrim in St. Peter’s square was Benedict XVII, who speeded up the beatification process of Karol Wojtyla, an exception that the former pope had reserved to Madre Teresa from Calcutta. “The process towards the beatification of John Paul II has been accelerated ”– declared Fr. Carmelo di Giovanni – from St. Peter’s Catholic Church of London. “But everything has been done precisely and according to the rules. Benedict XVII has waited 5 years before starting the process of beatification of his predecessor.”

In occasion of this huge event, that has gathered from the four corners of the globe churchgoers, but also an incredible number of heads of state, prime ministers and other dignitaries and public personalities, many critics directed toward the Church come again to the surface. Which role has the former pope played in the international scenario?

His legacy is under attack from Vatican experts and journalists Giacomo Galeazzi and Ferruccio Pinotti, in a book that discloses the obscure side of his pontificate. In ‘Secret Wojtyla’, the charismatic pope is described as a cynical statesman, focused more on the Vatican’s geopolitical interests rather than on the Christian’s ethics. The authors underline the role played by the Vatican in contrasting the Soviet Union in Poland, and its support to the anticommunist dictatorships in South America and in other countries. Wojtyla is described more as a modern Machiavelli than as a religious shepherd.

However, the role of the Vatican in the international scenario is not a surprise. Many historians have already demonstrated the strategic partnership between the former pope and the United States, during the Reagan’s administration, in support to Solidarnosc, the democratic and anti-communist trade union in Danzica. Overseas, the papacy supported the anti-communist dictatorship in South America, alongside the US government, and kept silence in front of the tortures that the regime had inflicted to its opponents.

But this is not all. Beside the geopolitical aspect, another front of the critic is referring to the sexual abuse scandals that exploded at the centre of the media attention since the 90ties. According to David Clohessly, Director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, the beatification of John Paul II sends the ‘wrong message’. ‘The signal that he’s beatification basically sends to church employees across the globe is that no matter how many children are harmed because of your inaction, your clerical career won’t suffer’ – Mr. Clohessly declared to the Time.

According to Carlo Pelanda, Italian professor of Political Science and Strategic Studies, the extent of the allegations against the church has been strongly emphasized by the US. After the fall of communism, the Vatican blamed the increase of the American egemony and this diffused polemics between St. Peter’s square and Washington. In an article appeared on Italian review Limes, Pelanda argues that the US artificially fuelled the public opinion’s anger against the Vatican in order to contrast the pope’s charismatic influence.

After the fall of Communism, the special relationship of trust between Washington and the Vatican has come to an end and the geopolitical role of the Catholic Church is declining. However, as the ceremony of beatification of John Paul II highlights, the charismatic role of the church is still alive. Will the governments still have to deal with it?