Pope going on Saint

As the most important Christian holiday of the year approaches, the BBC publishes an article on its website about Pope John Paul II moving closer to sainthood. Thanks to his efforts in helping to end Communist rule in eastern Europe, not least in his native Poland, the leadership of the Catholic church now thinks it should make him a saint.

After reading the article I am left wondering why. I do not doubt the extent of his efforts in helping to put an end to Communism. I am sure they are considerable. But so have been those of Mikail Gorbatchov for example not to mention the numerous unknowns in the Czech Repulic, Eastern Germany and Hungary who fought for essential liberties. Brave people who stood up against their communist leaders. They should not be saints? Apparently not.

This leads to concluding that there is more to sainthood than trying to establish world peace. One also has to be catholic for starters. It seems to me that there are very few, if any, non-Catholic saints. So what does that mean? Only Catholics live well enough to be considered for sainthood? Or is it a lot simpler than that: only Catholics are saints because only Catholics have saints?

Being Catholic ánd trying to establish world peace is not enough though. Sainthood is neither for the ordinary nor for non-Catholics. Or for the living. Sainthood is reserved for a very select few. A dead select few. In all fairness, this is of course understandable. After all, not everyone is a saint. In fact, only very select few are. But the question is, which select few? Why are they selected?

I used to think saints are saints because they had lived exemplary lives. People selflessly living to do good and make the world a better place for everyone. I now start to wonder to what extent I was mistaken. The degree to which someone is active in the Church seems essential in one's application process. A disproportionate number of saints were popes, bishops and nuns in life. So, does becoming a clergyman or woman make someone a better person?

For the Church it obviously does. The institution stands or falls with the people working for it. It seems clearly in the Church's interest that its agents obediently live according to its rules and zealously spread the faith. I can see both clearly applying to Pope John Paul II. He was probably an example to many Catholics. I wonder however to what extent he was to humanity. Struggling to help ending Communist rule can be praised and awarded. Fighting the use of contraceptive means in Africa however, punished. I am aware of catholic views on the subject, but I think that telling people with very little or no education that condoms give you HIV is a crime against humanity.

As the most important Christian holiday of the year approaches, it might be a good time to reflect on Christian values, starting with loving thy neighbour. Although it is not specified anywhere, I would think this applies to all living creatures and all fellow humans we share our planet with. Putting those fellow humans on a path that potentially leads to death hardly seems living up to Christian values nor leading an exemplary life. This ought to be taken into consideration and consequently move Pope John Paul II away from sainthood for good.