From New Vision, Kampala, Uganda April 4, 2005 The world is mourning the death of Pope John Paul who passed away on Saturday night. We join the world’s 1.1 billion Catholics to pray for the soul of the man who
From New Vision, Kampala, Uganda April 4, 2005
The world is mourning the death of Pope John Paul who passed away on Saturday night. We join the world’s 1.1 billion Catholics to pray for the soul of the man who headed the Roman Catholic church for 26 years and left it strong and united.
John Paul II will be remembered as a champion of the downtrodden. He condemned wars in the former Yugoslavia, genocide in Rwanda and called for peace in the Middle East.
He preached forgiveness and backed his messages with actions when he visited and forgave his would-be assassin in 1981.
They (College of Cardinals) need to decide whether the next Pope should also come from the West.
Consequently, nearly 65 percent of the Catholics live in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
This is a golden opportunity for Africa. Cardinal Francis Arinze of Nigeria seems to be the likely candidate from Africa.
Cardinal Arinze comes from the same conservative school as the late Pope. He is said to take a hardline position on abortion, contraception and homosexuality.
Ninety-seven percent of the 120 cardinals who form the College of Cardinals were appointed by Pope John Paul 11 and are from the conservative school.
They should therefore find Cardinal Arinze suitable for the papacy.
