COMMENTARY: Reflections on the funeral of Pope John Paul II (04/17/05)

COMMENTARY

Reflections on the funeral of Pope John Paul II

by Metropolitan Stefan Soroka

The heartfelt prayers of gratitude of the hierarchy, clergy, religious and faithful of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the U.S.A. were humbly offered by me in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome at the side of the place where the body of our beloved Pope John Paul II lay in state. I had the privilege of remaining for over half an hour to offer prayers to almighty God for the soul of this great spiritual shepherd of the Catholic Church and of the world.

Over 2 million people passed by his earthly remains, often waiting between 13 and 24 hours to prayerfully give respect. Among them were numerous sick and handicapped people, and the vast majority were youth, and young men and women.

My visit was concluded by participating in a joint visit with the president of Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko, accompanied by his wife, our Patriarch, Lubomyr Husar, and other Ukrainian dignitaries.

The funeral of our beloved holy father was most solemn and prayerful. Between 3 million and 4 million people descended upon the city of Rome, mostly youth. All transportation by car or bus in the inner city of Rome was forbidden on the day of the funeral to accommodate the crowds of people and for security reasons.

That morning I walked over six miles amidst the pilgrims to St. Peter's Basilica and witnessed the devotion and respect of these young people for the holy father. This was again evident during the funeral at St. Peter's Basilica and at the many sites throughout Rome organized to accommodate the millions of mourners. Police and city workers of Rome were present everywhere, providing assistance to the visitors, including bottles of water and medical attention as needed.

Thousands slept overnight in the parks and on the streets. Most carried sleeping and overnight bags. Yet, despite the huge crowds, all progressed peacefully and without incident. They were there to pay homage to a special person who had great spiritual influence in their lives. All shared in gratitude and praise to God for the service and leadership of Pope John Paul II of the Catholic Church and in the world.

The front steps of St. Peter's Basilica was filled with cardinals and bishops of the Catholic Church, presidents, prime ministers, royalty and leaders of almost every nation in the world, as well as, representatives of all major faiths in the world. How harmonious it appeared to see Jewish rabbis sitting alongside Muslim clerics, and others of different faiths.

Pope John Paul II, during his pontificate, visited the leaders and people of over 130 countries and reached out to the leaders of the world's major religions. The result of his attempts to generate harmony and mutual understanding was now well evident by the representation at the holy father's funeral.

The sung funeral prayers and the celebration of the holy mass for the soul of Pope John Paul II were peaceful and most prayerful, typical of the celebrations by the holy father throughout his pontificate. A panakhyda service in Greek and Arabic was celebrated by the patriarchs and hierarchy of the Eastern Catholic Churches, as has become traditional for the funeral of departed popes.

Significantly more notable was the huge representation of members of the Orthodox Churches, including Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople. Pope John Paul II emphasized that the Church breathes with two lungs, both East and West, thus elevating the dignity of the Eastern Churches in the universal Church.

Our Ukrainian Catholic Church was privileged to have both our Patriarch Husar and myself participating in these concluding prayers offered by the Eastern Catholic Churches.

Our beloved Pope John Paul II has left numerous encyclicals and writings on numerous topics. A significant spiritual treasure chest of teachings is available for all of us to study, to learn from. Of particular significance for us of the Eastern Churches is the holy father's emphasis on the Church breathing with two lungs, East and West. Pope John Paul II's emphasis on this broadened the understanding and perspective of the Western Church and awakened us to the importance of Eastern Churches being loyal to our traditions.

It now becomes even more imperative for the Eastern Churches to continue to keep alive this emphasis of Pope John Paul II amidst our brothers and sisters in the Western Church and amidst ourselves in the Eastern Churches. Our Ukrainian Catholic Church, through its Synod of Bishops, must devote itself to the discernment of our identity as an Eastern Church and the traditions that properly reflect this identity. We pray and we commit ourselves to this endeavor, being ever grateful for the gift of Pope John Paul II's emphasis that the Church breathes with two lungs, East and West. In appreciation of this gift, let us all ensure that both lungs breathe with full vigor and life in the Risen Christ.

Let us continue to pray for the soul of our beloved Pope John Paul II, and for the holy discernment by the cardinals of the next spiritual shepherd for our universal Catholic Church and for the world.

Christ is risen!

Metropolitan-Archbishop Stefan Soroka is the primate of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the United States.

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