To Cardinal Law, Pope deserves to be John Paul the Great

By Stephanie Ebbert, Globe Staff, 10/16/1998

is two decades of leadership emboldening him, his vision driving him forward, Pope John Paul II remains a paragon of unyielding values at a time when America grapples with its own shifting moral standards, Cardinal Bernard F. Law said yesterday.

The archbishop of Boston, who plans to travel with other New England bishops to celebrate Eucharist with the pope next week, lauded the pontiff who came to the Vatican 20 years ago today, saying he is one of the most remarkable popes in history.

"It would seem to me that the term, Great, as it applies to some popes, could easily apply to him," Law said.

Among some Catholics, the 78-year-old John Paul's steadfast opposition to birth control, abortion, and the ordination of women as priests has led detractors to deride the church as being woefully behind the times.

Law, like the pope, is unmoved by such criticism, saying faith cannot be swayed by modern opinion.

"I think the expectations of our society are driven by an absolute fixation on polls and popular opinion," Law said in an interview. "I think that there is sort of a skepticism about the existence of truth, and certainly a skepticism about our ability, really, to know it. The Holy Father speaks out of another tradition, which says we do not make up the content of faith. It does not depend upon what we think it ought to be."

Though unbending in his adherence to church doctrine, the pope has a personal style that has changed the scope of the papacy, Law said.

"His role as the universal pastor is much more evident in his ministry than it has been in the past," he said, referring to John Paul's recent predecessors.

Law praised the pope's informality, citing his invitations to other celebrants to Mass in his chapel each morning and breaking bread at his own table with visitors at most meals.

"It almost appears as though he is consumed by a desire to be present in the midst of the church and does it to a remarkable degree," he said. "Even now, when the toll, not simply of years but of the assassination attempt and some other health problems, would allow a slackening off, he's here, there, and everywhere."

Certainly, the reign of John Paul is distinguished by his travels -- to 119 countries, including his much-heralded January trip to communist Cuba. Along the way, he played a significant role in the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe. Later, he forged links between the Vatican and former Soviet-bloc countries and reached out to Jews, most recently by beatifying Jewish-born Edith Stein, who later became a Catholic nun.

Wherever he goes, John Paul leaves an intense imprint on his audience, Law said. He cited the case of a young couple from his former diocese who traveled to Boston for the pope's 1979 visit. The husband, a non-Catholic doctor, was so touched by the pope's call to be responsive to the needs of the poor, he took leave from his practice and worked for several months in Philippine refugee camps, Law said.

"He and his wife didn't get close in that Mass -- he was one of many thousands gathered on the Boston Common," he said. "I think that's a beautiful gift that he has. He attempts to bring out the best in us."

This story ran in the Boston Globe on 10/16/1998.
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