On the Pontiff's Demise

I respect John Paul II for his decision to die with dignity at home and not hooked up to hospital machines. However, it's a pity that he couldn't see that his end-of-life policies denied that same right to who knows how many others.

I applaud the former Pope for opposing George Bush's war because of the needless loss of human life. However, how many lives were lost because of his opposition to the use of condoms in a world ravaged by AIDS.


I supported his battle against the U.S. death penalty. Yet, how many unwanted children have been condemned to a life sentence of abuse and horror because of his condemnation of contraceptives.

I backed His Holiness' encouragement of those in Eastern Europe who wanted to be free of Soviet domination to live as free and equal citizens in democracies. However, his hostility to women assuming the roles of the clergy only served to further gender inequality.

I will end this as I began it. I admire John Paul II for bravely facing his death. Yet, I think of those millions of AIDS dead who passed away alone, destitute and without world media attention and without the weeping throngs in St. Peter's Square, AIDS dead who often without any support whatsoever, least of all from John Paul II and his ilk, also faced their deaths bravely.

Having said that, may they ALL rest in peace.