The Passing of Pope John Paul II

Reflections of Bishop Brian Heenan

Catholic Bishop of Rockhampton

 In 1991, I was appointed Bishop of Rockhampton by Pope John Paul II, one I had admired since he was elected Pope in 1978.  While receiving a letter from the Pope was an awesome experience in itself, his confidence in my ability to assume the role of bishop, obviously guided by the advice he had received, was a compliment that I did not take likely.

He had always impressed me by his forthright living out of the role of Chief Shepherd of the Universal Church.  His conviction about the direction he followed and confidence in the guidance of God’s Spirit, came through in everything he wrote or said.  While  he was always humble in his approach to being the leader of the worldwide Catholic flock, he was always definite and used his authority with respect.  He was truly pastoral, yet believed in ‘tough love’, that is, that real love included the pursuit of the highest standards, flowing from the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

My first direct contact with the Pope was when he came to Australia in 1986.  As one of hundreds of thousands who gathered at QEII Stadium in Brisbane, I was moved by his ‘at home-ness’ and warmth, with the disabled people gathered, the focus of the Brisbane celebrations.

The same day, after a civic reception in King George Square in Brisbane, he travelled to Sydney for a gathering of the young people.  I will never forget his inspiring, affirming words to them and the image of his dancing with the beautiful young ones around him, all the while beaming as one who really wanted to be caught up in the euphoria of that night.

My first personal meeting with Pope John Paul was in Rome when in 1993, I made my first “Ad Limina” visit as a fairly new bishop. (This visit occurs every five years and provides the chance to share the story of the diocese). I thoroughly enjoyed having a private fifteen minute audience and having the Pope bending over a map of Queensland and saying to me,  “tell me all about your Diocese”.  That experience was repeated in 1998 and again just one year ago in 2004 when he asked about the indigenous people of Australia and the number of priests we had to care for such a huge diocese of 415,000 sq klms.  On these visits, there was always time for a story, a joke or a personal anecdote.  On those occasions, there was the opportunity to celebrate Mass together, to share a meal in a small group and on one occasion, I sat beside the Holy Father.  Then there was the farewell gathering with all the Australian bishops, where he presented each of us with a parting gift.

It was a special joy when I met him again and shared a luncheon, when he came to Sydney in 1995 for the beatification of Blessed Mary Mackillop.  As always, he combined a seriousness to suit the occasion, with a gracious welcome and even a light heartedness which put everyone at ease.

As a bishop during this time of turbulent world history, it has been reassuring to walk with such a fellow bishop, the Chief Shepherd of the Catholic Christian family.  For he was a leader, not only of the Church in the spiritual and moral order, but a leader in world affairs, who never ceased to proclaim justice and human rights, as the only road to peace and harmony.

I look back on the almost twenty-seven years of the Pontificate of John Paul II with immense gratitude and appreciation.   It is something to be celebrated with real pride.  While we may be sad at his passing, we should rejoice that his life’s work is complete and God has said “well done good and faithful servant”, come and possess the kingdom I have prepared for you, from all eternity”. (Matt 25:34)

Pope John Paul was a leader who could be loved because people were his first concern.  He was humble and never blew his own trumpet and he was unselfish, seen in his willingness to travel to over one hundred countries on visits.  He was fearless and could not only dialogue with world leaders, but could take them on if he believed there attitudes, or actions, were against human well being.  He was genuine in his pursuit of Christian unity and his outreach to religions and faiths of all persuasions.  He built many bridges, was able to apologise for past sins of the Catholic Church and create real hope for building a better world for the future.

+Brian Heenan

Bishop of Rockhampton