Pope John Paul II Declares Himself
Immortal
by Thomas Zartregu
-- In a Papal decree published Monday, John Paul II proclaimed the doctrine of "Physical Immortality" of the Sovereign Pontiff. From now on, the bishop of Rome will "possess the temporal immanence with which the Divine Redeemer wished His Church to be endowed."
For many Catholics, the new dogma comes as a stinging refutation to recent rumors which described the Pope as lacking the necessary faculties for his charge. "On the contrary, John Paul II can now preside over the destinies of the Church for centuries to come," said Jean-Marie Lustiger, archbishop of Paris.
Lustiger has recently made contact with the mayor of Paris in order to prepare the celebrations of the Pope's centenary, which will occur in 2020.
Several historians have pointed out that physical immortality is not the first supernatural faculty with which a sovereign pontiff has equipped himself. In 1870, the First Vatican Council granted Pope Pius IX the power of infallibility by a majority of 535 votes out of 1,084 invited bishops. As a matter of fact, it is that same infallibility which now enables John Paul II to promulgate the new dogma without going through the formality of a council.
Among the few dissenting voices, some left-wing Christians have declared themselves "dismayed" by the Pope's initiative. "This will be interpreted by the secular media as an exclusionary decision," fears Vronique Lestrade, 54, president of the Belgian "Christianisme et Dialogue" foundation. Mrs. Lestrade suggests extending physical immortality to all willing practicing Catholics, "provided they are up-to-date on their financial contributions to the Church."
Still, Catholic commentators estimate that the new doctrine is only a necessary prolongation to the Christian faith, which affirms that on Judgement Day, everyone will receive an inalterable body. As the Italian theologian Divo Barsotti explains it, the Pope joins those of which Jesus said in Luke 9:27: "I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God."
And the believers remember that the body of Pope John XXIII is said to have the appearance of freshness, although he is clinically dead. According to Divo Barsotti, John Paul II will be miraculously preserved as well, but while still alive.
Cardinal Josef Ratzinger, in charge of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith at the Vatican, said during a recent interview that the latest decree is only the first of many doctrinal changes to come. Some sources even say that the Pope will soon provide a definite answer to the thorny question of papal omnipotence.
But these new texts are still in preparation. Prostrate on his desk, John Paul II now devotes himself entirely to prayer and contemplation. According to his entourage, the concentration of the Pope is such that he has not made any movement in three days.
