As John Paul II celebrates 25 years as pontiff, his views, legacy and "retirement" remain pertinent.

Mario Canseco

John Paul II marked 25 years at the Holy See last month. The Polish-born Karol Wojtyla became the first non-Italian in more than four centuries to ascend the papacy.

Since 1978, the world has dramatically changed. The Pope remains a controversial figure, regarded by many for his efforts to end communism, but chided by others for his antediluvian stance on issues such as contraception and homosexuality.

Still, no dispute has startled faith as broadly as the clergy's quandary in the United States. What began as a series of inconceivable allegations grew to more than 500 documented claims of sexual abuse by men of the cloth. The problems have affected the public's perception of the Church as a whole.

The scandal led to the resignation of Cardinal Bernard Law, who admitted to the unfortunate practice of switching unsuitable priests from parish to parish in the Boston archdiocese, rather than removing them altogether. 57.4 per cent of respondents to a June KRC Communications Research/Boston Globe survey said Law should face prosecution, and 76.4 per cent believed the top priority should be negotiating settlements with those affected.

The predicament is causing many American Catholics to assess their trust in organized religion. 56 per cent of respondents to an August poll by Survey USA said they have lost confidence in the Church's leaders.

The Pope's own prominence took a dive as a result of clergy misconduct. In January 1999, 85 per cent of American respondents to a Gallup survey approved of the Pope's performance. A few weeks ago, the number was down to 63 per cent. In last month's ABC News/Washington Post poll, the pontiff's rating was 58 per cent. An Ipsos-Reid survey of Canadians offered higher support for John Paul II, at 71 per cent.

In the issue of same-sex relations, the Church expressed its position this year through a report titled "Considerations Regarding Proposals to Give Legal Recognition to Unions Between Homosexual Persons." The document concludes that all Catholics—and especially Catholic politicians—are obliged to oppose the legal recognition of gay and lesbian partners.

The paper arrives in a time when the Canadian provinces of Ontario and British Columbia have allowed same-sex marriage after separate court rulings, and former Vermont governor Howard Dean—a man credited for the only existing legislation that offers legal status to same-sex partners in the U.S.—is among the top three Democratic presidential hopefuls for 2004.

The Pope's fragile state—affected by Parkinson's Disease—has led to questions over a possible removal, although Vatican rules establish that a pontiff must serve until his death.

North Americans are split over a substitute for John Paul II. In a Gallup poll, 50 per cent of American respondents were against retirement, while 49 per cent argued for a resignation. In a Léger Marketing survey, 41 per cent of Canadians said there should be a maximum age for the head of the Catholic Church, while 48 per cent disagreed.

While a change at the helm seems unlikely, the Pope is responsible for a little-known contribution that will make it easier to find his successor. A "papabile" or nominee—technically any Catholic, but usually a Cardinal—required two-thirds of the vote by the Sacred College to be elected. John Paul II changed the rule in 1996, stating that if the mark remains elusive after 30 elections, an absolute majority would be enough to choose the next pontiff.

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