John Paul II and the Communists
With recent events in Poland - the discovery certain priests cooperated with the communist regime, and the subsequent resignation of Archbishop Weiglus, I became convinced John Paul II knew there were ’spies’ around him throughout his career. He had lived with repressive regimes throughout his priesthood, he knew danger lurked around every corner, even in the next handshake.
One day a priest commented to me that a certain Archbishop expressed his approval of Pope Benedict XVI when he stated, “At least he looks at you when he shakes hands and isn’t looking for who may be more important as he moves down the line.” (That may say more about the Archbishop’s ego, than JPII’s demeanor, don’t you think?)
One may notice this trait in footage of JPII while he ‘works’ the crowd, as media likes to say, while he is greeting people - he often appears to be looking over the person he is with, while surveying the crowd. (When he greeted Sr. Lucia at Fatima, he appears to be looking over her, seemingly uninterested in her and what she is saying.) Many have insinuated that while he worked the crowd, he was also ‘performing’ for the camera. I disagree.
Today, I read a report in an article titled, “Moscow’s Assault on the Vatican“ referencing the Kremlin’s plans to discredit the Church, including efforts to eliminate JPII and his influence.
I don’t think John Paul was either ‘performing’ or ’on stage’ at public functions, nor was he ‘playing the media’, ‘working the crowd’, as media savvy people, as well as his critics, often suggest. Not so much. I believe he was always aware he was a potential target, even in Poland before he became Pope. JPII was an extremely sophisticated man. I am convinced his ‘looking down the line’, his visual awareness at all times of who was in the crowd, is a habit he developed from living under repressive and murderous regimes, intent upon wiping out the Catholic church and Polish culture.
We in the West, and most especially, we Americans haven’t a clue as to what it is like to live in a society wherein all rights are at the disposal of a repressive regime. Although some day we may understand it if we make the likes of Hilary Clinton our next president.
Yet with anti-depressants, we probably can endure anything - right?
January 26th, 2007 at 9:53 pm
What’s wrong with antidepressants? Oh, I just saw your profile. You are Tom Cruise!
January 26th, 2007 at 10:36 pm
Brooke - I apologize! Please come to my wedding in Italy.
Heck! Nothing’s wrong with anti-depressants - except they are prescribed as freely as aspirin, and so many people are on them. Don’t you think it’s kinda “Brave New World” and the use of Soma?
January 27th, 2007 at 7:03 am
It’s so unfortunate when one’s mannerisms are misconstrued by another - unless, of course, the person has been told as much by the person they’re speaking of.
JPII didn’t seem to have a big ego at all - he didn’t seem fearful either, even though he had been shot, and it makes sense that he would be watchful.
If someone was talking to him, & he seemed disinterested, could it be because he was hard of hearing? Or maybe he couldn’t focus on someone standing so close to him, & looked off in the distance while he was listening.
Misperceptions are such a pain - but personally, I’ll pass on the anti-depressants, thank you. Our Lord suffered & felt it all - literally. We have the intelligence & means to discuss & work out our little emotional misunderstandings - gifts from Him. Or, live with the misunderstandings, & the sadness they bring.
& I’m not against Rx medication for people who really need it in order to be healthy - but like you, I think some things are WAY unnecessarily over-prescribed.
PS
But if HC is elected, (which I don’t really think would happen)…
I’m moving to Canada:p
January 27th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
Very interesting take on the interpretation of one photograph taken at a papal event with Mother Theresa.
Another perspective might be that there were probably 500 or more cameras present at that event, all aimed at the Pope. It would be interesting to see an analysis of all of the photos taken at that event.
I would imagine professional photographers take 100 photos at events like that for every one that gets published.
January 27th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
Terry: Very interesting post. It’s true that people who learn by their surroundings to constantly assess for danger often appear to be uninterested. They really aren’t, they are busy keeping the exit in view and looking for potential trouble.
I’ve seen this type of behavior in former gang members who grew up in tough neighborhoods. Hear a bang? Hit the floor. Someone walks in with their hand in their coat: start easing for the exit.