Papal pilgrimage is a radical act
Gary Caruso
Capitol Comments
Pope John Paul II's visit through the Holy Land was both moving and courageous. Many non-Catholics had viewed with suspicion the Pope's recent apology for Catholic transgressions throughout the ages. For some, he had not been specific enough about the kinds of discrimination and oppression which he addressed. For others, his apology did not seem sincere.
Watching the Pope throughout the week, one got the sense that he was like the superstar athlete during his final season. The Pope had planned for this journey 22 years ago after he was elected to the Papacy. This visit was the last hurrah of a religious man who just recently distinguished himself from most of his predecessors. His legacy would be known by his dramatic apology, and this visit would authenticate his gesture for those who had been skeptical.
Catholics take for granted the oppression they still face in many societies, including the United States. We feel comfortable at Notre Dame among our fellow Catholics.
We live almost as comfortably in many of our urban and suburban communities, with the exception of numerous southern and midwestern areas. For example, Catholics who have lived in Southern Baptist dominated areas know the type of distrust and discrimination they faced from their neighbors.
Real hatred against Catholics permeates fundamentalist organizations such as Bob Jones University. Subtle discrimination infiltrates those organizations led by those who believe that only "born again Christians" will one day go to heaven.
Despite the magnanimous and humble apology our Pope extended to all peoples and religions of the world, we will never hear a similar admission on Pat Robertson's 700 Club. Self-righteousness breeds contempt.
Pope John Paul II raised the Catholic Church above the thinking of the self-righteous. By including other Christians during his visit, the Pope set aside our past self-righteous attitude that we are the one and only true Christian Church. By praying on the site where Muslims believe that Mohammed was raised, he reached out like Christ did to the Gentiles.
By praying at the Wailing Wall, the holiest of Jewish places, he extended a hand in fellowship like Jesus did to everyone. Our Pope was telling the world that the three religions that were begun from Abraham, are in fact, made up of brothers in sister institutions.
We as Catholics have now been called by our Pope to live by a higher standard. Some U.S. bishops have already asked for forgiveness for those priests who have betrayed their trust with children.
Other bishops have asked forgiveness for the ways that discrimination has pushed women and gays from the Church.
Notre Dame might rethink its rigid stance against many with prohibitions regarding student recognitions, Observer advertising, and anti-discrimination policies. Perhaps a simple apology might be the first step.
Our Pope took a courageous step in uniting the peoples of the world. It is time for Catholics everywhere to be more tolerant, more humble and more generous. The next time the urge to tell a joke about the "Jew" or the "fag" or the "Wop" swells from within, think of the spirit that rose from within John Paul II.
Watching the Pope last week at the gardens and hilltops, narrow streets and monuments commemorating where Jesus walked, was actually viewing a reenactment of that journey almost 2000 years ago. John Paul II knows that his remaining time on this earth is short.
The timing of his visit, twenty-two years after its conception, is not a coincidence. Whether the Pope has a month, a year or ten years remaining as head of our Church, he has called us to follow the shepherd ... the same call of two millennia ago.
For those who always wished that they could have lived during the time of Christ, their wish has just been granted.
That call is a difficult one, just as it was those many years ago. Eating a man's flesh and drinking his blood was quite a radical concept back then.
For many, recognizing other religions and peoples as family is just as radical today.
Gary J. Caruso, Notre Dame '73, is serving in President Clinton's administration as a Congressional and Public Affairs Director and is currently assisting Vice President Gore's White House Empowerment Commission. His column appears every other Tuesday.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
All Viewpoint Stories for Tuesday, March 28, 2000
