Polish bishops urge actions, not words, to honor Pope John Paul II

Published: 2005-05-25

OXFORD, England (CNS) -- Polish bishops are urging Poles to reflect more deeply on the life of the late Pope John Paul II. The bishops said the "best monuments" Poles could make to the late pope would be to help the poor and resist "lies and deception" in public life. "The time has now come to reflect in a spirit of faith, whose fruit should be not just better knowledge of his teaching, but above all a better life," the bishops said in a pastoral letter read at all Polish churches on May 22. The bishops said streets, schools, institutions and monuments were dedicated to Pope John Paul during his lifetime, while more "pious initiatives" have been announced since his April 2 death. But the bishops said attempts to honor the Polish-born pontiff would have value only if Poles followed Pope John Paul's teachings and imitated him "in personal and social life."

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