Archbishop's Homilies 2005

Obituary of Pope John Paul II

We bid farewell to Pope John Paul II, one of the great leaders of the twentieth century who has ushered in the new millennium.

As the head of nearly one billion Catholics he has provided hope to nations enslaved by communism, expanded the Church in the third world and steadied and encouraged the Church in the Western world.

He suffered the loss of his mother when he was very young and he was only quite a young man when his father and only brother died. During the Second World War he did forced labour in quarries and factories while studying secretly for the priesthood to be ordained on the 1 November 1946. After a gifted life as a philosopher and teacher and Archbishop of Cracow he was elected Pope in October 1978.

He barely escaped assassination on the 13 May 1981 and yet his suffering has enhanced him. His twenty-six years have been truly inspirational. He has demonstrated an ability to engage people at their deepest level, to teach the faith constantly and resolutely and to lead people to holiness. He is acknowledged far beyond the Catholic Church as a world leader, and for his heroic work as Pope with 104 visits outside of Italy, 14 encyclicals, 15 exhortations, 11 constitutions, 44 letters and 5 books.

He has proclaimed 1,338 people blessed, and canonised 482 saints and has gathered the bishops of the Church in 15 synods. More than 17,600,000 pilgrims have participated in his Wednesday general audiences.

I will remember him as a man of God, a great teacher who taught the authentic doctrine of the Second Vatican Council, a charismatic and inspirational figure who reminded us all of the importance of God, the dignity of the human person, the unique contribution made by families and by the young.

His suffering at the end of his life is a remarkable example of the value of suffering in transforming human life, focussing it on God and being an example to others.

We pray for the repose of his soul and we thank God for this dedicated leader of the Church and the world. We are richer by his presence and will be stimulated by his teaching and memory for many years to come.

 

+ Denis J. Hart,
Archbishop of Melbourne.