Pope Embraced Values Important to All

VATICAN CITY, ITALY (April 7, 2005) - As Pope John Paul II is laid to rest, the world ponders the legacy of this man and the impact he has had on the world – from the poorest of the poor to the rich and powerful. News coverage of his death and burial has attracted the largest worldwide television audience in the history of this communications medium, with millions flocking to Rome to become part of history in the making.

This Pope not only endeared himself to the millions of Catholic faithful around the globe, but he garnered the respect of millions representing a broad spectrum of faith traditions, including Jewish and Protestant.

"With the death of Pope John Paul II, we mark the passing of a good man and a humble servant of Christ," says Glenn Palmberg, president of the Evangelical Covenant Church and a respected voice among evangelicals. "At a time like this, it is not appropriate to focus on those things with which we might differ theologically; rather, as Christians we can celebrate those core values that we share and for which this Pope was well known – humility, compassion, mercy, and his concern, care and advocacy on behalf of the poor, the sick and the dying, as well as issues of justice."

John Paul II's life and ministry were built on a firm foundation of faith in and devotion to Jesus Christ, Palmberg notes. "He preached Christ crucified, resurrected, Lord of our lives. He sought always to become more Christ-like. And in his final few years, we saw him accept physical suffering and carry it openly for the sake of the witness he was allowed to bear of the sufferings of Jesus."

Palmberg, along with Covenant World Relief Director Jim Sundholm, enjoyed the rare privilege of participating in a "Call to Justice" conference in mid-March at the Vatican, orchestrated by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. Of the 225 in attendance, they were among 20 specially invited guests representing evangelical Protestantism. Pope John Paul II had been scheduled to participate, but declining health prevented his attendance.

The conference itself and the invitation to evangelical voices to participate bears witness to the importance the pontiff placed on issues of justice within a Christian context. "There is a significant level of interest among Catholics in the evangelical church in America – many if not most do not know much about the evangelical movement," Palmberg observes. "It was interesting that the Catholics reached out to bring evangelical voices into the conversation."

While there, Palmberg hand-delivered a letter he had written to the Pope on behalf of the Evangelical Covenant Church, a letter expressing the denomination's concern for the pontiff's health and pledging to support him with our prayers. The letter was given to His Eminence Cardinal Renato Martino, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace who also moderated the conference (middle photo shows Palmberg and Cardinal Martino). The cardinal personally delivered the letter to Pope John Paul II in his private residence. To read a copy of the letter, please see Palmberg Letter.

Palmberg conversed with a number of Catholic leaders while attending the conference, sharing an evangelical perspective on the variety of issues addressed by conference presenters and participants. One of those with whom Palmberg spoke is His Eminence Cardinal Claudio Hummes, Archbishop of San Paulo, Brazil, who many consider to be among the short list of candidates to replace the late pontiff (lower photo).

The legacy of Pope John Paul II will continue to influence the Christian community for some time to come, Palmberg believes. "As a person, his courage in coming through Nazism and communism in his early years, then standing up later to the powers and principalities in the world with words of peace and freedom, will remain in our memories. His generous love for all persons as children of God gave witness to the work of Christ's Spirit within him. We thank God for the ways he accomplished his work through the ministry of this good man and servant."

Peace be to his memory.    

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