He made peace in the midst of war

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June 2005

He made peace in the midst of war

Bishop John Harrower reflects on a life of courage and Christian conviction.

The Anglican Church of Tasmania has extended deep sympathy to our brothers and sisters of the Roman Catholic Church upon the death of Pope John Paul II. We share sorrow at his loss to them and to us, and also give thanks to God for a Christian life so fearlessly lived.

Pope John Paul II was a most devout Christian who gave strong leadership to the Roman Catholic Church, and indeed the world-wide Christian community. He was a man of prayer, of deep faith in the God who acts in love in human history. There are those who see only the negative side of his ministry: opposition to the use of condoms to prevent HIV-AIDS; opposition to women clergy and to gay/lesbian ordination; and failure to deal with paedophilia in the church.

But I have a very positive cameo of him as a peacemaker and will never forget his visit to Buenos Aires during the Falkland Islands War between Argentina and Great Britain.

At that time, the Argentinian generals had whipped up a hysteria that this was a 'religious war': Protestant England versus Catholic Argentina. Wherever we went in Buenos Aires we were confronted with large posters showing a bullet-riddled Union Jack with the words 'Muerta a las piratas Inglesas' (death to the English pirates). It was very dangerous for us to venture out.

In an extraordinary co-incidence Pope John Paul II's historic visit of reconciliation and goodwill to the Archbishop of Canterbury took place during the war in the South Atlantic. The Pope had decided to go ahead with this long-planned visit to Britain and then to immediately visit Argentina, but Argentina saw the Canterbury visit with 'the enemy' as an absolute betrayal and a great depression fell across the country. Their largest ship had sunk with the loss of 350 lives, they were losing the war and now their Pope had abandoned them.

The two million Argentines who attended a Mass with the Pope in Buenos Aires in the middle of the war were profoundly moved. The Argentine military dictators had tried to turn his visit into a 'God is on our side' propaganda triumph, but the Pope would have nothing of it. He knew his personal safety could not be guaranteed, yet as he had done all his life, he propounded peace as the only way forward. Surrounded by Argentine generals at war, he stood for peace. His devotion to the Prince of Peace nurtured his courage to declare the way of peace.

We will miss his clarity, his courage and his Christian convictions. To God be the glory. Amen.

The Anglican Church of Tasmania welcomes Pope Benedict XVI and prays that his leadership will strengthen the way of Christ in the Church and in the world.

	The Anglican Church in Tasmania Search
	a healthy church...transformingLIFE
	Home About Contact us News Issues Parishes Prayer Calendar Youth Resources

				June 2005

		He made peace in the midst of war Bishop John Harrower reflects on a life of courage and Christian conviction. The Anglican Church of Tasmania has extended deep sympathy to our brothers and sisters of the Roman Catholic Church upon the death of Pope John Paul II. We share sorrow at his loss to them and to us, and also give thanks to God for a Christian life so fearlessly lived. Pope John Paul II was a most devout Christian who gave strong leadership to the Roman Catholic Church, and indeed the world-wide Christian community. He was a man of prayer, of deep faith in the God who acts in love in human history. There are those who see only the negative side of his ministry: opposition to the use of condoms to prevent HIV-AIDS; opposition to women clergy and to gay/lesbian ordination; and failure to deal with paedophilia in the church. But I have a very positive cameo of him as a peacemaker and will never forget his visit to Buenos Aires during the Falkland Islands War between Argentina and Great Britain. At that time, the Argentinian generals had whipped up a hysteria that this was a 'religious war': Protestant England versus Catholic Argentina. Wherever we went in Buenos Aires we were confronted with large posters showing a bullet-riddled Union Jack with the words 'Muerta a las piratas Inglesas' (death to the English pirates). It was very dangerous for us to venture out. In an extraordinary co-incidence Pope John Paul II's historic visit of reconciliation and goodwill to the Archbishop of Canterbury took place during the war in the South Atlantic. The Pope had decided to go ahead with this long-planned visit to Britain and then to immediately visit Argentina, but Argentina saw the Canterbury visit with 'the enemy' as an absolute betrayal and a great depression fell across the country. Their largest ship had sunk with the loss of 350 lives, they were losing the war and now their Pope had abandoned them. The two million Argentines who attended a Mass with the Pope in Buenos Aires in the middle of the war were profoundly moved. The Argentine military dictators had tried to turn his visit into a 'God is on our side' propaganda triumph, but the Pope would have nothing of it. He knew his personal safety could not be guaranteed, yet as he had done all his life, he propounded peace as the only way forward. Surrounded by Argentine generals at war, he stood for peace. His devotion to the Prince of Peace nurtured his courage to declare the way of peace. We will miss his clarity, his courage and his Christian convictions. To God be the glory. Amen. The Anglican Church of Tasmania welcomes Pope Benedict XVI and prays that his leadership will strengthen the way of Christ in the Church and in the world.