BellaOnline Forums Travel and Culture Polish Culture Pope's legacy?

From my understanding - the abortion law allows for abortions in these horrible instances.

What is realy amazing - since the abortion law is more restricted, there is less children born in Poland than before!

Perhaps the Poles have become more sophisticated in their birth control measures (unsanctioned, I assume)?

More about the pope:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A20422-2005Apr2.html
In Shadow of Death, No Fear
Polish Priest Finds Himself Once Again Guided by the Pope's Words

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/international/AP-Popes-Election.html
Pope's Election Shocked Communist Poland
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ROME (AP) -- On an icy October night a quarter-century ago, a nervous-looking anchorman on Polish television stared at his notes as he blurted out the news: ``A new pope has been elected.'' Pausing, he added: ``It's Wojtyla,'' and then went on to report the rest of the day's news.

The television newscaster wasn't the only one in Poland's Communist Party establishment who appeared taken aback by news that Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, archbishop of Krakow, had been elected by the College of Cardinals as the new pope to succeed John Paul I, who died after only 33 days in office.

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The senior government official in charge of relations with the Roman Catholic Church, Kazimierz Kakol, was holding a news conference with the Polish deputy foreign minister when the news reached Warsaw on the evening of Oct. 16, 1978. He sent an aide to double-check the information before hastily announcing it to reporters shortly before the first TV newscast of the evening.

On the streets of Warsaw, there was little if any public reaction. The Communist regime frowned on spontaneous rallies. The announcement didn't come until after sunset, and a bitter autumn wind would have discouraged anyone from venturing outside to test the patience of the police.
....


I remember - we were shocked and happy but the news media did not really know how to react - whether to show a joy or restrain.

I think the Pope's legacy was that he was not wishy-washy. He didn't change his thinking to be more 20th or 21st century. The Bible states "The word of our God will stand forever." Isa 40:8 The beliefs of the Roman Catholic church have been interpreted from the Bible by John Paul as well as the Popes before him. They stand forever. If people can't live by the tenents of the Church, that is the their problem, not the Church's. If they feel the church is so wrong, why do they stay?
Just for the record, I was very active in the Catholic church until age 25....then I switched to the Baptist Church. Why? I wanted more meat and less ceremony. I really enjoy the Bible, it is an incredible instruction manual!

Babraj,

***I think the Pope's legacy was that he was not wishy-washy***

good analysis. Thanks!

I found also a good title in today newspaper in the town where I work. It should satisfy pope's supporters and critics:

Pope's great warmth overshadowed his doctrinal rigidity