The inside scoop

This past week, I was on retreat with some of the diocesan priests, hence the delay in publishing this comentary.

Actually, I started reading through David Yallop's book entitled The Power and the Glory: Inside the Dark Heart of John Paul IIs Vatican. Although I'm still in the very early stages of this work, I can't help but wonder about some of the findings. Mr. Yallop, who previously published In God's Name: An Investigation into the Murder of Pope John Paul I, obviously puts little store by the validity of the 'official voice' of the Vatican. His thirst for detail and the behind-the-scenes story has admittedly gotten some informants in trouble. Regardless of whether or not the tale is true, it makes for good reading.

Although I am still in the early stages of his second work, the thesis of The Power and the Glory seems to be that Karol Wojtyla, was advanced from the office of parish priest to that of Supreme Pontiff due to a series of machinations on the part of the political forces of the day, and not so much based on any political prowess that might have been displayed on his part.

Admittedly, the inside scoop is always facinating, especially in cases like the Church, which throughout its history has been known to hold its share of secrets. Still, I'll reserve judgement for the moment about the proposed character analysis Mr. Yallop is developing.

Karol Wojtyla, then the Archbishop of Crakow (Poland) was elected Supreme Pontiff on October 16, 1978. Throughout his 26 year pontificate, he endeared himself to the world's youth, advanced the Church's profile through the use of modern-day media and forged new dialogue and relations with many including the Jewish community and civil leaders from all parts of the world. He was the most widely traveled pope in history, believing that it was his mission to bring the message of Christ to the people of the world by demonstrating to them that his pastoral concern had no limits.