Requiescat in Pace

Karol Wojtyla, known more commonly as Pope John Paul II, religious leader of the Roman Catholic church, died Saturday, 2 April 2005.

For now, I'm reading blogs and observing what's being said in the "blogosphere" regarding the man's death. It is clearly bringing up very strong reactions. See, for example, the discussion taking place over at the Republic of T (under the provocative title of Alien) or over at the Socinian.

I'll have to chew on this for a while, post a few responses to other people, and provide something a little more systematic and detailed here.

For now, I will simply refer readers (both of you) to what seems to be a promising article at The Economist, and close by echoing the words of the Rev. William Sinkford, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations:

Our hearts go out to faithful Catholics everywhere as they mourn the loss of their beloved spiritual leader. We honor the example that John Paul II set in our religiously pluralistic global community by reaching out to other faiths in a spirit of peace and reconciliation. In our still violent world, John Paul never failed to witness on behalf of the innocent victims of conflict and war. His deep compassion will serve as a lasting legacy and tribute. (Sinkford, 2005)

Peace.