John Paul II, the idealist

Pope John Paul II was not a conservative. He was also not a liberal and he was also not a moderate. John Paul II was a man who transcended political labels. The pope was an idealist - he saw the world in its present state and he saw improvements that could be made to improve the life of others.

John Paul II was supposed to be a "safe" pope who would protect the conservative ideologies of theologians, but he was no safe bet. Yes, he often enforced religious doctrines and dogmas against sexual liberation. Yes, he did little to advance democracy in the church. Nevertheless, by many other standards - extremely important standards - John Paul II was a visionary and even a radical in the Roman Catholic Church. In many different ways, he was a transformer like Pope John XXIII.

As pope, John Paul II promoted a "culture of life" that disappointed conservatives and liberals alike. His views on life were criticized from both sides because he was not a hypocrite. He saw the dignity of human life from a human perspective and he fought for human life in all circumstances. For his consistency, he deserves to be commended. Certainly, the unrelenting and unalterable viewpoint came with some disappointments - most especially his continual advocacy against contraception despite the devastating and crippling spread of AIDS throughout the African continent.

John Paul II saw life in everything. He delighted conservatives by denouncing abortion. However, he also valued the life of criminals on death row. He showed the world what forgiveness means by visiting, forgiving and praying with the man who attempted to assassinate him. He called for the world to see the dignity of life in all people and thus called for an end to inappropriate wars that destroy life. Perhaps some may hate him for his consistency. In a world hostile to dignity, John Paul II was the single greatest voice for seeing the dignity of the person.

John Paul II was a revolutionary who sought the end of poverty and saw equality in the eyes of the poor and the rich. He valued the oppressed, the impoverished and the downtrodden. He realized the Catholic faith called on the world to put an end to poverty. He was not only an advocate for promoting physical life, but he was an advocate of promoting a better quality of life. In this respect, he was a progressive and a radical.

Not only did he make it known that Communism must fall, but he let the word go forth that we must destroy poverty forever. He was not always a full supporter of the capitalist system of economic distributions. As a religious leader, he extended the Catholic faith to the political world. He believed governments and individuals must help the poor - not just because it is the right thing to do, but because it is the moral, religious thing to do.

Little does the world note or remember what the pope did in the months after Sept. 11. Fearing the use of religion in the name of war, John Paul II dreaded this ultimate evil. Thus, he gathered thousands of religious leaders from all different faiths under a tent in Rome. At this conference on Jan. 24, 2002, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist and other peoples denounced war and proclaimed peace must prevail in their faiths.

Despite not conforming to a single political ideology, John Paul II was a unifier. He paved many new paths and offended many of his cardinals by pointing out the similarities between various religions. He was courageous enough to pray in synagogues and mosques. Even with the chance of destroying the unique identity of the church, John Paul II made it known that every religion believes in common points. He saw the world and the religions of the world as one whole sphere united in a common humanity.

If anything, John Paul II compelled Catholics to not sit complacent and accept the world as is. He made Catholicism an active and participatory religion as proclaimed at Vatican II. He compelled Catholics to support life, but more importantly to support the dignity of the human being. He proved that life means more than just opposing abortion. He showed Catholics that religion cannot be practiced in isolation. He showed the world that a spiritual leader could also be a political force. Moreover, he told the world that its future is in the youth. Despite his senior age, John Paul II identified with millions of youth not even one quarter of his age.

Despite the immense authority of his office, power never corrupted him. Rather, he viewed himself as being no better than a poor man and came to see the light of Christ in all. Perhaps some of the things he said were not politically correct, but he never swayed away from his singular identity - an identity molded in the image of Christ. For his steadfast beliefs, he should be commended.

John Paul II was a voice of change in a world resistant to change and gave hope to the hopeless. He brought dignity to the disgraced. He saw life in the face of death. And he saw light through darkness. He made a difference to millions.

Perhaps John Paul II never saw all of his dreams completed. Perhaps many of his idealistic visions have failed or need more time. Even still, John Paul II was the man who held the world together just as it sought to come apart. He united religions, cultures and people to overcome the terror of the world we call modern.

If anything, John Paul II's reign was the glue in a world falling apart. He refused to be labeled as anything other than a man of God. He never forgot his creed and he always personified hope. Even to the last, he made his death and suffering public. His humility in death brought him to new life and brought rebirth to a church riddled with scandal.

John Paul II has ensured his legacy will live on well beyond his years - he has proven even mortals can do the work of God. But, above all he has demonstrated life, consistency, peace and love can trump all evil, hatred, hypocrisy and death.

John Paul II now belongs to the ages. Some may say he was a giant among mortals. But, John Paul II would self-describe himself as an equal of mankind - no more important than the poor woman living in slums, the inmate on death row or the fearful man living in a war-torn society. John Paul II - we love you. Thank you for being a radical in a world and church afraid of change.