Pope John Paul II-- A Good Man But.....

Pope John Paul II was a nice man. He was a good man. He certainly lent a strong voice behind the Reagan/Thatcher defeat of Communism. And I know it seems almost disrespectful, if not rude, to bring up negative things after a person has died.

But....

Where was this Pope while American children were being molested by his priests?

Where was this Pope when his Bishops and Cardinals were moving pedophiles around the country, like some kind of carnival shell game?

Assuming he didn't know there was a problem before it hit the newspapers, where was this Pope when the scandal broke?

It’s wonderful that this Pope was the first ever to visit a synagogue, and to apologize for the victimization of Jews by Christians. But why didn’t he visit America on a similar mission, to give solace, and to apologize to these victims of the Church (many of whom were young people in the service of the Church, as altar boys and members of youth groups)?

Why did the Church need to have a conference in Dallas to determine how to deal with pedophilic priests? Why didn’t this Pope rain down the thunder of God against those that harmed his most innocent, or who aided and abetted their harm?

Even Peggy Noonan noted, way back in March, 2002, that the Pope's issued statement decrying the priest's conduct was insufficient--she hoped it was merely his first. Unfortunately, it was his only.

Perhaps this all hit too late in his papacy. Perhaps a younger, more vibrant John Paul would have dealt with this disgraceful episode more forcefully. We'll never know.

Why did this Pope appoint three top aides of the disgraced Cardinal Law to the dioceses here in NY?

After 9/11 the Most Arrogant Cardinal Egan, late of Boston and unfortunately presently in New York, spent most of his time at the Vatican, instead of tending to his flock, even though many of those who died, especially the cops and firefighters, were Catholic. The Vatican said it was Egan’s choice; Egan said he was directed by the Pope.

Which story was true? If Egan was lying, why didn’t this Pope punish him? If Egan wasn’t, why didn’t the Pope send him home at such a trying time?

The Pope was certainly a man of peace, though it’s hard not to notice that the only war he didn’t oppose, World War II, was one which directly affected him, his family and his country.

And though his words were, at times, strong, is there a single conflict here on Earth that he defused or a peace he brokered?

I'm fascinated by the pomp and mystery that will surround his burial, and the choosing of his successor. But he's gone three days now and I've had it already with the unending platitudes. A little balance is called for. There is much to commend about John Paul II, but there was evil that happened on his watch as well.

Nobody is saying that on TV, or in the press, but it's something that needs to be remembered.