As one of the longest reigning popes in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, John Paul II is being remembered for many things. But Presbyterians seem to remember him for one particular contribution: his commitment to ecumenism. "The pope's interest and encouragement to the ecumenical endeavour has been a great source of strength in our work," said Rev. Stephen Kendall, principal clerk of the church. Richard Fee, Moderator, sees this as the pope's greatest contribution. "He made a genuine effort towards ecumenism and interfaith dialogue."
The Canadian Council of Churches, a multi-denomination organization committed to fostering ecumenical relations, of which the Presbyterian Church is a member, recognized the pope's role in this effort. The council remembers his prayers with the Archbishop of Canterbury, his outreach to Eastern Orthodox churches and his inspiration of local ecumenical initiatives in Roman Catholic congregations. "From a Canadian perspective, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has been one of the strongest proponents of ecumenism and the work of the CCC," said Sandra Demson, CCC vice president and an elder at Rosedale, Toronto. "And I think they take their direction and inspiration from the pope. Our perception is that the pope has been a very strong supporter of ecumenical efforts in Canada."
The council's website voices a hope that many are feeling — that his successor will continue this ecumenical priority. Fee said he doesn't expect any drastic changes of direction for the Roman Catholic church. "He was, in many ways, a very conservative pope and he was there for so many years that he had direct input on shaping the form and structure of that church. It will remain very much in his mold."
However, this lack of change can be frustrating for many who disagree with some of the pope's pronouncements. His ability to stand up for his beliefs in the face of opposition has made him a visible witness to his deep faith. But his firm stance against same-sex marriage, his reiteration of the church's laws against allowing women into the priesthood and forbidding the use of condoms — even in an HIV-positive relationship — left many stunned and angered. After recently visiting South Africa, where she saw children dying from AIDS every day, Demson hopes some of the church's views will eventually change. "The plight of African families, and especially children, is enormous because of the AIDS pandemic," she said. "The church's position is outrageous.
I trust that new leadership, in consultation with African leaders, will face the issue squarely and take bold steps."
Noting that his 26-year papacy makes it too difficult to decide on his greatest contribution, Rev. Will Ingram, convener of the Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Committee, referred to the pope's 1995 encyclical, Ut Unum Sint. The document invited the ecumenical community to discuss the role of the papacy in ecumenical affairs. "His public presence in the world was a great contribution," he said. "Even those in the ecumenical community who don't agree entirely with him, have a very significant respect for the part he played in the issues of human rights, interfaith relations, opposing militarization and war and speaking on behalf of the poor and broken."
To express their condolences and offer their prayers of support, Fee and Kendall wrote a letter to Archbishop Brendan M. O'Brien, president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. They said many will remember the pope for the way in which he stood for peace and human dignity. "His strength in the face of weakness has been an example to the world of the kind of ministry Jesus exercised among us."
