I'm not catholic so the whole sainthood thing kind of goes over my head, but I wondered if anyone knew the reason for the rush to saint Pope John.

I guess he was popular, but all I've seen him do was pose for photos around the world. Did he actually DO anything for humankind? He certainly had a lot of resources at his disposal.

I'm not for criticizing people who can no longer defend themsleves, but I read that tens of thousands of children were molested by priests while he was pope and many of those molestations were covered up by the church which would have been under his direction. Seems like doing nothing to stop that shameful act would be reason for him Not to be sainted.

Maybe I missed something.
smile

smile, I was raised Catholic, but of am no help about sainthood. You mention a great point. Another story was in our local paper within the past month. Seems another brother was molesting teen boys. It sickens me.

<small>[ June 29, 2005, 11:18 AM: Message edited by: Dotsie ]</small>

Dotsie,
I have only been inside a Cathlic church twice and those revelations of abuse sicken me. How much more it must sicken those who are in the congregations. I just don't understand how these men can immerse themselves in God's word and commit those acts. And I also can't understand how people in the church can almost worship them and the pope who headed the church and helped or allowed the cover ups. It's just beyond me so I think I must have missed something.

I don't mean to attack anyone's faith. I'm just trying to understand.
smile

Without being critical or disrespectful of any denomination or belief system... I wonder what difference it makes for people to call him saint or not. To me it's more important what God thinks of him and the life he lived.

I almost think it's an attempt by the Church to whitewash the abuse issue -- if he's declared a saint, then somehow the child molestations will be forgotten. NOT! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="images/icons/mad.gif" />

I'm not saying he was implicit, but he absolutely had to know what was going on.

I'm not a Catholic either, but I think if the Church wants to have Saints, they should save the honor for people like Mother Theresa.