Pope's failing health detracts from 25-year service to man

On Thursday, John Paul II will celebrate his silver anniversary as head of the 1 billion strong Roman Catholic Church. And while people throughout the world will pay homage to an individual who has truly been a prince of peace, the issue of his failing health will loom large. That's because the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and the effects of hip and knee ailments have become more pronounced in recent weeks.
The 83-year-old pope should use the occasion of his 25th year as Christ's vicar on earth to announce his retirement. He has earned much-needed rest.
A year ago, we said that John Paul's retirement was not only advisable, but had become a necessity. We referred to a news story of his visit to Mexico City that made note of his physical condition: "The pope, who suffers from symptoms of Parkinson's disease and hip and knee problems, slumped in a gilded chair placed near Juan Diego's cloak, straining to raise his head to speak."
Since that time, the pope's condition has worsened. Three months ago, the Vatican canceled a visit by John Paul to Mongolia, citing concerns about his health.
"As the years progress, the once-taboo subject of his mortality has become a topic of comment by top church leaders," Daniel Williams of the Washington Post wrote last week. "And the accounting of John Paul's accomplishments and the jobs left uncompleted has begun in earnest."
Genuine affection
While Catholics around the world have a genuine affection for this native of Poland -- he was the first non-Italian pope in 455 years -- his weakened condition has left many wondering whether he is doing a disservice to the church by not stepping down. By being unable to clearly communicate his ideas, the faithful and others, especially world leaders, aren't receiving the full impact of his message.
Indeed, his critics use the child abuse scandal that has rocked the American church to argue that John Paul is too feeble to deal with such major crises. The problem of sexual abuse of children and pedophilia by priests in the United States is still unfolding, and more than 300 of the 46,000 priests in this country have been taken off duty because of sex abuse allegations.
The Vatican has been slow to react to this growing crisis and much of the blame has been laid at the pope's feet. Whether that is fair or not, the fact remains that he, who is the theological and moral compass of Catholicism, has appeared unwilling to take a hard line on this divisive issue.
The pope's resignation would not only been seen as an act of humility by a man who has dedicated his life to God and to humanity, but would allow the hierarchy of the church to begin the process of naming his successor.
With 102 trips aboard, John Paul II has shown that the papacy is not static and that interaction between the pope and the faithful is essential to the future of the Roman Catholic Church.