In response to an opinion column published on Friday, April 8, we feel the need to correct some of the erroneous comments made by Megan Schmidt in her column entitled “Pope’s great deeds not always so great.”
The late Archbishop Fulton Sheen stated, “There are not more than 100 people in the world who truly hate the Catholic Church, but there are millions who hate what they perceive to be the Catholic Church.” Fulton Sheen has a point. The reason many people have problems with the Catholic Church is because they do not understand her teachings. Pope John Paul II proclaimed the truth of the one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic church, and therefore, as faithful young Catholics of the John Paul II generation, we must stand strong with our Pope and proclaim the same truth that he proclaimed.
We would like to address the portion of the article where Megan quoted the pope as saying, “If I make mistakes, you will correct me.” While this was indeed an actual quote, she took it completely out of context. He was not referring to decisions he would make as Peter’s successor regarding the faith and the Church, as Megan implied.
At the time, John Paul II was speaking to an Italian audience in one of his first public addresses as pope, and he asked the audience to help him with his Italian since he was still fairly new at speaking their language.
Megan’s purpose for including the quote, and indeed for writing the article, was to state that the Pope was resistant to change. However, history proves Megan and others who hold this belief to be wrong. John Paul II has brought many positive changes to the Catholic Church.
For instance, he deepened the involvement of the non-clergy and strengthened the role of women in the Church by increasing their leadership positions.
In addition to the changes in the Church itself, John Paul II also kindled changes in the hearts of millions of people worldwide, both Catholics and non-Catholics. He rekindled the fire of Christ’s love in the hearts of Christians all around the world, especially in the hearts of youth.
He fortified bridges between Catholics and other Christians, as well as between Catholics and non-Christian believers.
In doing this, he drew his flock into a deeper understanding of who they are and what they believe. He showed the world the meaning of catholic: universal.
While John Paul II made these positive changes, it is important to note that he did not change the Church’s position on certain issues; not because he is stubborn, but because the Church holds firmly to truths passed down from Jesus Christ and the early Church.
One of John Paul’s greatest legacies is the insight he shares into the Church’s position on one such important issue in his “Theology of the Body.” In his writings, he discusses the divine plan of human sexuality and the social effects that occur when society diverges from this plan.
We challenge you, Megan, and everyone to read these writings, entitled Humanae Vitae, Familiaris Consortio, Mulieris Dignitatem.
In doing so, you will discover that John Paul II actually was a feminist, in that he cared deeply about the dignity and rights of women.
Since our space is limited, we would like to invite you, Megan, as well as all BGSU students, to “Crucify the Catholics,” hosted by Creed on Campus.
The event will be an open forum where all questions and concerns about the Catholic Church can be addressed. It will be held on Thursday, April 21 from 7:30-9 p.m. in 221 Olscamp Hall.
Editor’s note: Other contributors to this column include Sarah DeLaat, Jessica Krueger, Chris McAnall, Michelle Russell, Andrea Slivka, Jeff Walker and Lauren Walter.
