My Response to Thomas Cahill

Thomas Cahill's piece on the Pope in the New York Times so annoyed me that I dashed off a letter to the editor. They didn't print it, but here it is:

Thomas Cahill correctly reminds us of the variety of “traditions” within the Catholic Church. But when it comes to Pope John Paul II, he makes the same mistake his supporters and detractors made throughout his papacy—trying to limit him to one “tradition” in order to criticize or promote it. “Conservative,” “liberal,” or “aggressively papal” will never sufficiently describe this man who defied characterization. Concern over lack of diversity in his appointment of bishops is legitimate. But to then conclude that “he was not a great religious figure,” and that he was “dismissive of the moral requirement to protect and cherish human beings,” is to ignore his repeated emphasis on the dignity of all human life, our special responsibility to the poor, and his contributions to the promotion of peace, justice and human rights around the world. I dare say it is more likely that the youth who were so inspired by him will save the Church than that the Bishops he appointed will destroy it.