Dear Sam you said:
Catholic Church has gone so far as to embrace even non-Christian religions. Tolerance of and respect for other human beings as children of God is one thing of which we as Christians should always be conscious. However, to me, this "let's stop fretting over our differences and pray to (the) God(s) together" attitude is way beyond the pale. This is one big reason why, though I loved and honored him as the Vicar of Christ and felt he had only the best of intentions, I had serious reservations about the papacy of JPII
I say:
I believe that Pope John Paul II is a saint. I believe so because he lived a life of martyrdom, and had the humility that only a saint could have. So as a saint, I tried to understand God's purpose in everything he did. Sooo! When he kissed the Koran, I saw it as giving the Muslims a blessing, and by blessing them, they will turn to Christ.
Actually, he martyred himself for all humanity...and I have found that people do not convert during the life of a saint, but that martyrdom works that miracle after their death.
By the same account, I believe that Mother Theresa, although she did not convert the people in India during her life time, the miracle of conversion will slowly happen now that she is dead. Sacrifices of one for a whole, is the way of God.
Zenovia
