blog.andrewsteele.co.uk

The man who was arguably the most recognisable figure in the World has died. Head of over a billion Catholics, instantly identifiable to millions or billions of others, he served over a quarter of a century in the most prominent rôle accessible to a human being.

The response has been overwhelming. Blanket media coverage, World religious and political leaders offering their condolances, millions of churchgoers and pilgrims, many of whom would not ordinarily be either, praying and grieving.

I, on the other hand, am left slightly confused.

The Pope has had little or no influence on my life. Socially, my parents and friends are largley secular. Those few Catholics I do know are quite laid back about their beliefs, and do not frequently mention their devotion to the Pope. My confusion stems entirely from this; what has this man done that our media be so swamped by news of his death?

JTA writes that JP2’s past achievements overshadow his later, infirm years, of which (until obituaries last night) I knew almost nothing. I imagine those who weren’t taught RS by Wozza, and aren’t older than I or devout Catholics, knew little of this either.

His influence in his more animated days certainly cannot be sneezed at, with attempts at peace in Northern Ireland and rights for the poor in the Americas. It also cannot be denied that his attitude towards homosexuals in church, female priests and AIDS for Africa were, if less agreeable to my moral code, not insignificant.

However, even to the billion Catholics worldwide, how important was the Pope (particularly the older, infirm John Paul) in their day-to-day lives?

Even after his death, and even reading about the number of people paying him tribute, I still have no feeling for the importance with which this man is clearly regarded. If I were a politician, or had someone to impress, I probably wouldn’t be saying this. All the World leaders are expected to offer condolances, and dutifully, they each have; but I wonder how if they feel as I do, disconnected from a man who doubtless influences some fairly large number of peoples’ lives, but barely touches mine.

Not everyone is taking it quite so seriously, though. Dan reported a rapidly-deployed eBay auction, offering a Pope “for sale, one careful owner” (it has sadly been just as rapidly taken down). And, if they wished to lighten the mood, with the excitement of new-Pope-choosing to come, The Vatican could easily drum up some ratings with a ‘phone-in poll. I even found a page of statistics which, while provided in all seriouness, trivialise the Pontificate of John Paul beautifully.

Sadly, the whole spectrum of journalists are just as staid in their seriousness as one-another; I was was sadly disappointed that none of the tabloids ran with my headline: “He’s Poped His Clogs”.

Sunday, April 3rd, 2005 18:21 | permalink | trackback