Let's be careful

One of the things that I have noticed about the media coverage of the death of Pope John Paul II, is that the media cannot seem to get a handle on the Pope as a spiritual leader. I have heard over and over again that the Pope (along with Regan) was responsible for the downfall of communism, if not worldwide, then at least in Poland.

This in particular is worrisome to me because, while I believe that capitalism is the fairest of the economic systems that we have been able to make work in the world today, it still disadvantages people and I would hate for the Church to be associated with a system which does not tend to the needs of "the least of these."

One of Pope John Paul's greatest contributions to the coming kingdom of God was his efforts on behalf of the poor and the oppressed. For us to forget that and remember only his political efforts would warp John Paul's life and ministry in the life of the world.

Take a moment to read some thoughts ont he death of the Pope by Mark Hansen, Presiding Bishop of the ELCA