Dear FRONTLINE

I wish to thank PBS, the producer,
and everybody else to made JP2's broadcast.I think it was one of the best programmes aired on PBS, ever.

I do however have one comment: you should have given more space to voices which express the church's view. For example,
Hans Kung is is a "renegade" theologician, therefore it would been
fair to also have Ratzinger's opinion heard.

Despite these pitfalls, the programme's central message and question
-- is JP2 a prophet or our time or a man out of step with reality ? --
focuses on the most important problem modern woman faces with her/his
relationship with God. Also, very good the choice of Mons. Albacete's
comments.

Fiorenzo Cattaneo
Santa Clara, California

Dear FRONTLINE

I found the program and the man himself fascinating, intelligent and somewhat disturbing. John Paul II's spirituality cannot be doubted; some of his positions might be doubtful. But he is a man of his time and outside his time as well.

I knew long ago about his relationships to Jews, especially Polish Jews during the Shoah. There is a wonderful story about his attitudes and spiritual gifts in this regard in Dr. Yaffa Eliach's "Hassidic Tales of the Holocaust" 1982

I can only wish, as a Reform Protestant Minister myself, that my Catholic Brothers and Sisters do not regard this documentary as an attack on this man. He has a right to be shown in his saintliness and with his flaws, and documentary makers have the duty to show both of these very human aspects. If he is at war with the 20th Century, he has good reason to be.
Rev. Paulina K. Dennis, Brooklyn, NY

Paulina K. Dennis
New York, New York

Dear FRONTLINE

A life of faith and trust in the mystery of a purposeful God of the universe is not easily reconciled with the reason driven, logical brain set in the heads of carefully thinking human beings.

It has been a life time of struggle to marry the faith I readily accepted as a child with the gradual intellectual growth I have experienced as an adult. In this often gut wrenching, mind twisted battle, I have come to realize that the most difficult task in having faith is being willing to suspend, to give up, to set free, if but for a moment, the fruitless efforts of a limited capacity for reason, and let fall into place another way of knowing -- via the heart, truly as a child.

This odd, paradoxical, and seemingly counter intuitive manner of understanding is just what the doctor orders for a world weary being; it is a priori knowledge at its best...deeply examined, it is distinctly intuitive, highly truthful, and captures the creative essence of a God who would use just such a means of capturing the most skeptical attention.

The struggle is not over. There is a life time of honing and strengthing solid faith. It is not as easy as most people deem it to be. It is the labor of constantly letting go of the self. However, I am convinced, the more I learn about everything, I am on the most worthy, truthful, highest quality track of life I could hope to be on.

Cynthia Cripe
Seattle, WA

Dear FRONTLINE

In my opinion, Msgr. Albacete got closest to the heart of the matter when he stated that for the pope, it was not a matter of a 'person with faith,' as if faith were some compartmentalized facet of human life to be added and discarded at will, but that this faith itself defines the person in their totality. This really is what the pope is all about so to speak. It is in this vain that the world can make no proper account of this man PBS gave it a fair, though decidedly simplistic/dissidental attempt

The reason he is so contraversial is because he views the world with real faith, rather than the postured, focus-group tested, statements that characterize our modern-day leaders. He views the consequences of his teachings not in the shallow and fickle caprices of this age, but in view of the sweeping vistas of eternity. This is why this man is so important. He is the only voice in the world who coherently stands against the beliefs of this age. And it is because of this that so many people, Catholics included, despise him. Thankfully, there are millions of others, myself included, who value him tremendously. Thank You for doing this program.

Michael Tallman
Princeton, NJ

Dear FRONTLINE

I'd like to thank PBS for this program. I do not want to focus on the things that I like or dislike but on the fact that the John Paul II was presented as a man. I really appreciatedd the part on faith the 'the business core', especially Msgn. Albacete.

I hope that some other programs will follow to develop the last question of the program: is it his or our tragedy?

M. Prina
Los Angeles, CA

Dear FRONTLINE

I can't begin to tell you how dissapointed I am with you for editing out my segment of this very power documentary. My interview about clergy sexual abuse within in this church and the Pope's reluctance to deal with this crisis was both noteworthy and indicative of this popes pick and choose type of leadership. How do you justify telling the history of this mans life and ignore one of the most devasting crisis to hit the church since the reformation. I am but one of thousands of victms of clergy sexual abuse throughout the world that have been shuned and re-vicitmized by this church for tell our truth. I am but one of many who have bravely stood up against this church and this Pope and challenged them to do what is right and just on behalf of thusands of children who have been molested and injured at the hands of "his" clergy.

Although I am grateful that you provide your viewers with a transcript of my interview, I am deeply offended and saddened with your decision to omit a very power interview on a very serious issue facing this Pope and his church.

Fr. Tom Economus
Chicago, IL

Dear FRONTLINE

While I applaud PBS for undertaking such a serious account of the life of this intensely provocative man, I can only say that this program gave excellent support to the oft-heard cries that the "Liberal Media" has no clue about anything dealing with the Catholic Church. The sections on "Women" and "Liberation Theology" proved to be as ridiculously oversimplified as, say, any given New York Times account, but this was to be expected. However, the section detailing the complex relationship between JPII and the Jews was very interesting. One of the lesser heralded legacies of this pope will be the unprecedented strides that he has made in reconciling the long and sometimes tortured history between Catholics and Jews.

Joseph Toth

Dear FRONTLINE

While I agree with many other reviewers above about an obvious liberal bend to the documentary, I was nevertheless riveted by the program. I does seem to me though that many of the people that you interviewed for the "Liberation Theology" and "Women" parts really do not understand the Holy Father. I am amused that you and they think that there is such a contradiction in the man between faith and reason. I can only guess that they and you are used to associating with Catholics and exCatholics who really don't have faith. Anyone with faith can see that there is no contradiction in believing like a little child and thinking critically about life, religion and the world. He, like Christ, seems beyond your understanding.

Some of your interviews were fascinating: Ex: MR.Levin's experience of praying with the Holy Fater and his subsequent return to prayer . Even Germaine Greer's agonizing testimony was moving in its own way.

Overall it was clear where the producers agree with the Pope and where they think he is way off. Next time I would love to see a story where you are so evenhanded that we don't know where you stand!

Bob McCabe
Berkeley Heights, NJ

Dear FRONTLINE

I am not a Catholic- I grew up in the Lutheran religion. Today at fifty one- I have found a spiritual abyss within my society which has only served to drive me to a very cynical perspective of God, the Church and my personal faith. This program stirred in me a desire for the faith that the Pope demonstrated. He has found what I have wanted for myself.

Although there are aspects of his belief that I might not agree with; the underlying spirit of belief founded in faith calls out to me. There is something about his discussion and perspective on the "culture of death" which probably has the most profound effect upon me. I see this evil, and must admit that I am, like us all are a part of that culture. Although I have seen, felt and known this to be true for many years my search for spiritual guidance within established and fringe religions has produced emptyness and dissatisfaction. I long for the 'Holy' which I believe he esperiences- I can sense that he does, I can see it in his person.

Being not Catholic, I don't believe that the Pope is anything more than a man. Yet, his experiences with God, seem to 'show'. This brings hope to me! Someone knows that God lives. My search will go forward.

Bonnie Johannes

Dear FRONTLINE

John Paul II will be a saint of the Church. His whole life and presence among us has been a true blessing from God. singlehandedly he has reunited the Church.

He brought us out of chaos during the dark days after Vatican II. He alone has had the charisma and fortitude to hold fast to the teachings and Traditions of our faith and give us an anchor of belief. He is striving constantly to keep the Church from splintering into even more subgroups.

At the same time, he does all this with such an air of holiness and humility that one can't help but thank God for bringing him to us.

John Bush
Tucson, AZ

Dear FRONTLINE

Dear FRONTLINE,
I beg to differ with one correspondant who said that Popes don't build libraries like the Presidents. Near here in Washington, DC a 60 million dollar Pope John Paul II Cultural Center is being built near Catholic University, to be opened in November 2000. It is being financed by wealthy, conservative Catholics.

I mourn the prospects for women in the Catholic Church, although I remain a Catholic, while trying to follow the teachings of Christ. Having worked as a missionary for years in Africa, and having seen first hand the plight of the women and young girls there, I am more convinced than ever that there is a crying need for women priests to minister to those who are not allowed by custom to be ministered to by a male.

I agree with you that John Paul II is great in many ways and has done great good in the Church, but I continue to wonder about the future of the priesthood, and deplore the fact that married men and women are barred from ministering to their brothers and sisters as priests in the Catholic Church.

Mary Anne Sonnenschein
Silver Spring, MD

Dear FRONTLINE

Pope John Paul II's everlasting legacy will be that he, along with the Catholic Church, confronted the evils of 20th century society whether people liked it or not.

He is a man who intimately knows God and brings that unshinkable faith to everything he does. he is a hero of our times because he brings the everlasting message of Christ's love to everyone.
The final legacy for us was the last line of the film: If he is a true prophet and we ignore his life we are the tragic ones.

Robert Plumley
Toledo, Ohio

Dear FRONTLINE

A wonderful and scholarly presentation with all the vital pros & cons. It was obviously much inspired as well as it was inspiring to absorb, study and reflect.

With his eyes closed in deep communion, he is able to see, hear and feel the real presence of the "invisible" God! Within the darkness of his lonely solitude, he is immersed within the Light Of Truth and Life. If one could look within his heart, mind and soul, the reality of the Alpha and the Omega can be found. It is the total abandonment of his self and the presence of the Divine Nature within him. His life has been our vivid example and necessary lesson for us to follow. What his character projects... is the very essence of God's life within him... and the indelible marks of divine holiness!

No, he is not God but as St. Paul has said, "It is no longer I who lives, but God who lives within me!" His voice IS the very voice of God... the Great Shepherd calling His lost sheep home! Come home, sinners! Come home!

Lewis Smith
Rives Junction, Michigan

Dear FRONTLINE

I was raised Catholic. I returned alone to the Church at 16; my family had stopped attending several years before. By 29, I stopped attending Mass, having given up a persistent moral struggle that I face. Soon after, I lost my faith, but my inborn need for God impelled me to undertake a seven year journey through erroneous philosophies, religions, and "spiritual paths."

This year, soon after deciding to make the effort with God's help to put my moral life in order, and after committing myself to contemplative prayer, the truth of the teaching of the Church suddenly dawned on me, but with a totally new depth and dimensionality.

At 36, I am like the college student who returns home to find his parents no longer stupid. I will never again doubt Our Lord's grace and mercy. It is very good to be home.

Timothy Mulligan
Houston, TX

Dear FRONTLINE

My first reaction in reading all of the messages before me is WOW - who else could elicit such unanimous support!

God Bless John Paul II for his faith, courage and committment to the Gospel and to the Body of Christ, the Church. What a contradiction he must be for so many Americans who only know leaders as poll driven politicians - what a breath of fresh air this holy man who has taken seriously the admonition of St. Paul to speak the truth whether in season or out of season!!

Chris Donoghue
Quincy, MA