Habemus Papam
Thirty years ago today tomorrow - Today!
Albino Luciani was elected pope on August 26, 1978. Not unlike his predecessors Paul VI and Pius XII, his name is being defamed by innuendo and lies. Books and articles have circulated for some time now alleging the Holy Father was murdered by Vatican insiders. That is about as likely as the plot of the DaVinci Code. In addition, at least one author has written false quotes in support of homosexuality and contraception attributed to the Pope, purportedly from Luciani’s years as bishop and prior to his election as pope.
I noticed the quotes on another blog written by a gay-Catholic activist. I forgot the subject matter, but a commenter used excerpts from the book, “Murder In the Vatican” by Lucien Gregoire, to support an argument for gay, loving relationships (same-sex unions). The following is an excerpt from the book, offered by the commenter who also has a website promoting the cause of “St.” Mychal Judge:
“We must hold this holy union in sacred trust before Almighty God whenever it exists between ANY of God’s children — man and woman, or black and white, Christian and Jew, virgin and divorcee, man and man, or woman and woman.” - Source
Lies for the cause.
My gut reaction told me the quote was a lie, but of course I had no way to verify the author was either lying, relied on faulty translations, or indeed had access to forged documents. I contacted a friend who agreed the information was false, yet suggested I let the matter rest. In the meantime he contacted another friend of his who happens to be an expert on the life of John Paul I.
First of all, the Vatican never “cleans up” the image of any candidate for sainthood - as the commenter suggested - thus, if these false statements attributed to Pope Luciani were in fact true, they would not be covered up, and more likely than not, Luciani’s cause would never go forward. Anyway - this is what a real expert on the life of John Paul I had to say:
“In regard to the Lucien Gregoire book, I have looked through it a little in the past on Amazon.com. It’s utterly appalling! From what I read of the first chapter or two, the work is at 99% but more likely 100% total fiction. If this guy ever met Albino Luciani in his life, I’m the Taj Mahal! I think this author must be a pathological liar, totally delusional, or both.
“I know what I’m talking about, since I’ve been researching Luciani’s life in the original sources (in Italian) for close to 30 years, and have translated many of his writings into English. Believe me, I know his life and thought, and this ain’t it.
“Needless to say, the quotes bear no resemblance whatever to anything Luciani ever said. Just to be sure, I checked out the date and circumstances given for the quote - to seminarians in 1961, in the volumes of his Opera Omnia published in Italy 1988, and his letter to seminarians from this period does not address the subject of sexuality at all, much less in those outrageous terms.
“However, here is an authentic quote from Luciani from 1974 from an interview he gave to the newspaper Il Gazzettino of Venice on sexual morality after the Italian episcopal conference had written a document on the subject:
“A sexuality that is worthy of man must be a part of love for a person of a different sex with the added commitments of fidelity and indissolubility.”(Il Gazzettino, February 12,1974, p. 7) ”
Providentialy I received the information this morning, the anniversary of the election of JPI - unfortunately I do not have permission to reveal the source, but I assure you it is reliable. Regardless, even without documentation, I would decry such outrageous claims in defense of the Servant of God, John Paul I.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
I remember the day he died.
I still have his funeral card, given out in our parish, on my book of favorite quotes. He’s pasted to the front. I don’t know why, but I think he is actually HOLIER than we imagine.
:>
August 25th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Susan! LOL! I posted the wrong version of this because I originally thought today was the 26th - instead of saving it I hit publish when I meant to save the other one dated for tomorrow - or something like that! (When I view what the post will look like it comes up in a new window.) Must be my pain meds - or lack there of.
But anyway - I remember the day he died as well - totally shocked and saddened - I agree, I think he was very holy.
August 26th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Terry–
I had the great honor and privilege of attending Mass a few weeks ago in Northern Virginia where Archbishop John Magee of Knock, Ireland was con-celebrating. After the homily on the readings for the Mass, he suddenly started talking about his experience as secretary to THREE popes! He said that Benedict XVI had asked him to give a brief impression of each of the three popes whom he served. He recounted much of what he had said to the congregation I was present in. He said in a word, John Paul I was the most profoundly humble man of anyone he had ever known. During his 33 days as pope, John Magee had not left his side. And during those 33 days, the Holy Father had asked John to allow him, the pope, to serve as his altar boy while John said the Holy Mass (at the normal papal Mass time of 5 AM) three times!! Can you imagine a priest having the Holy Father himself serve as your altar boy? He said that JPI also kept saying that he should not have been made pope as he was not worthy and the man who should be pope was sitting in front of him in the conclave. The night before he died, he told John that he would die soon and that his successor would be “that holy man” who sat in front of him in the conclave. Years later, John Magee had finally mustered up the nerve to look at the seating lay-out for that conclave. And sure enough, it was Karol Wojtyla who sat directly in front of him!
The rest of the homily was soooo fascinating–he talked for more than an hour and a half, and although the kids were all fidgetty, I think that most of the adults could have sat through it for another couple hours. He was so fascinating!! (John Paul II called him his “best friend”. You can imagine the stories he has about him!)
love and prayers,
Gette
September 17th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Terry, thanks for all your devotion to John Paul I, and thanks for posting the information I gave in your post. I’m the “expert” that you quoted. I didn’t know you were planning to publish anything, but gladly give my permission in the future to state my name. I ran across this blog by accident during my research. I’m Lori Pieper, translator of the late Pope’s writings in “The Smiling Pope: the Life and Teaching of John Paul I,” published by Our Sunday Visitor Press in 2004.
Right now on my blog, I’m running a whole series debunking the absurd stories about his death by David Yallop and John Cornwell.
http://www.pilgrimage.subcreators.com
Thanks again.