Contact:
Sr. Christine Schenk (FutureChurch)
216-228-0869
216-513-3647 (cell)
April 1, 2005

FutureChurch Statement on the Death of
Pope John Paul II

With millions of others around the world, FutureChurch offers prayers of gratitude for Pope John Paul’s dedicated life and particularly for the serene and graceful way he chose to meet death. As resurrection people, we celebrate Karol Wotjyla’s entry into eternity and rejoice with him that he has at last been joined even more intimately to the God for whom and to whom he gave his life.

Pope John Paul leaves an impressive legacy. He played an important, perhaps indispensable, role in the normalization of relationships between the Soviet Union and the West. His frequent and uncompromising calls for justice and peace, most recently regarding the war in Iraq, were both challenging to secular powers and consoling to the oppressed. His healing outreach to the Jewish community worked to assuage still lingering anti-Jewish prejudice. His personal piety and prayerfulness inspired millions, particularly the young.

All papacies have both strengths and weaknesses. Within the Church itself, John Paul II implemented the centralized, authoritarian style of governance that served him so well in helping the Polish Church survive Communism. While this governance style may have given greater security to some Catholics, it has also limited worldwide Catholicism’s ability to creatively meet the challenges of the 21st century. Perhaps foremost among internal challenges is the severe shortage of priests at a time when numbers of Catholics are rapidly expanding.

With other members of our Catholic family, we share a sense of sadness and loss at Pope John Paul II’s passing. At the same time, we trust God’s continued guidance of the Church in the upcoming conclave and years to come.

To Pope John Paul II, the Bishop of Rome, we echo Jesus words in Matthew 25:14-30: “Well done, good and faithful servant, come share your Master’s joy.”

FutureChurch is a coalition of parish based Catholics seeking the full participation of all Catholics in the life of the Church. FutureChurch strives to educate fellow Catholics about the seriousness of the priest shortage, the centrality of the Eucharist (the Mass), and the systemic inequality of women in the Catholic Church. It seeks to participate in formulating and expressing the Sensus Fidelium (the Spirit inspired beliefs of the faithful) through open, prayerful and enlightened dialogue with other Catholics locally and globally. It has 5000 dues paying members and an additional 10,000 activists who use their resources to encourage widespread discussion about opening ordination to all baptized persons who are called to priestly ministry by God and the people of God.

For further information visit www.futurechurch.org