Utah religious leaders praise John Paul

Religious leaders throughout Utah say they mourn the passing of Pope John Paul II and they admire the legacy of the much-traveled pontiff who took his message of faith to all corners of the world.

Pope John Paul II's strong push for social justice and peace among warring nations drew kudos from many quarters. Others loved his unwavering reverence for life and his role in helping to topple communism in Russia and Eastern Europe.

Local religious leaders did not always agree with the pope, but they respected his faith, his work and his efforts on behalf of the disenfranchised throughout the world.

In comments during both of the LDS Church's general conference sessions Saturday, President Gordon B. Hinckley praised the pope. He was, President Hinckley said, "an extraordinary man of faith, vision and intellect, whose courageous actions have touched the world in ways that will be felt for generations to come." (See related story link above.)

"When I think of Pope John Paul II, he was a gracious light in an often dark world," said the Rt. Rev. Carolyn Tanner Irish, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Utah. "I recall the millions of people he visited and his undying faith in the goodness and love God pours out upon us.

"I admired his passion for social justice and his direct hands-on ministry and direct presence to the poor of the world," she said.

"He will most be remembered for his travels — his willingness to journey and be available to people of all cultures and all faiths was just extraordinary. The pope's visits to poor countries kindled hope in those people. The world has an obligation to do what is called for to make those hopes a reality," Irish said. "He was very much a healer and a gift to the poor."

Father Michael Kouremetis, head priest of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral and Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church, also praised the pope for trying to bridge the separations between the Roman Catholic Church and other religious traditions.

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"I think he's been a very strong, dynamic, visible pope and a man of reconciliation. Just a few months ago, he returned to our patriarchy in Constantinople the relics of St. John Chrysostom and St. Gregory. They were two teachers in the church whose relics had been taken by the Crusaders. It was a symbol of peace and reconciliation," said Father Kouremetis.

"He was a pope who was really reaching out. Years ago, he apologized for atrocities committed by the Roman Catholic Church. He was a person who wanted to put things right. He will be missed," Kouremetis said.

The pope's continued attempts to unify people of divergent opinions and beliefs has impressed many religious leaders.