Peter Orr

It might be seen as the end of an era, or perhaps just one part of a new beginning. As the College of Cardinals debates papal succession, we are left to wonder about what kind of a mark Pope John Paul II left on the world.

He championed human rights and challenged dictators, visiting more than 135 nations. John Paul II made the Third World a priority of the Catholic Church, tripling the number of African and Asian Catholics. He insisted upon the dignity of every human person, campaigning for human rights, for social justice and for the rights of workers and the poor.

John Paul was the first pontiff to visit a mosque or synagogue, and he worked hard to open doors and build bridges with other religions. This sounds like a small thing, but in the formal world of the papacy this is a very big deal.

His achievements changing the way that Roman Catholicism related to the rest of the world will be judged as liberal or progressive. But his impact on the Church he leads has to be seen as conservative.

Pope John Paul II was accused by many of stifling debate within Catholicism over divisive issues like contraception, divorce, and the role of women in the church. In 1986 the Vatican stripped the Archbishop of Seattle of his responsibilities after that prelate spoke against the church's traditional stances.

Similarly, in an era of global and theological change, John Paul II continued the Catholic policy of celibate priests despite an increasing need for more clergy. Under his leadership, the Church also did not change its views towards homosexuality, abortion or euthanasia.

To some, his stances seem almost paradoxical. At first glance it seems odd that the pontiff would be such a staunch conservative inside of Catholicism while pushing what can only be called a progressive agenda in the world.

The pope's version of consistency does not necessarily match that of the world that is judging him. Upon reflection these positions are not as opposed to each other as it might seem.

Rather than being restrained by traditional ideological divisions, John Paul was keeping a Christ centered theology, respecting all kinds of life.

Breaking from the way things have seemed to be going in American politics, it was as important to him that the world protect the unborn and the elderly as it take care of its less fortunate.

The Catholic Church under John Paul II became the church of the world's poor. Why is Christianity in America increasingly becoming the church of the rich? It seems like politics in our country is more and more dominated by a discussion of religion, but are the key tenets of our faith being lost in the wash?

As clichˇ as it sounds, the Pope kept Christ and "What Would Jesus Do?" at the center of his ideology.

Maybe it is something we could all learn from.