What can I say here that others have not already said? Our Heavenly Father has called home two titans of the 20th Century in less than a year. We are all better off for their existence on this earth. John Paul II and Ronald Reagan were unlikely allies at first glance but it was their continued commitment to ending Communism that resulted in the fall of the Soviet Empire. An Empire that I had never known not to exist. Not only did these two advance the cause of freedom they did so in the haughty face of the Internationalist Left who decried their efforts and openly called Ronald Reagan a simpleton and John Paul II a reactionary.
Now we will see history venerate both of them. Ronald Reagan will go down as one of the 5 greatest United States Presidents. John Paul II is easily the greatest Pope of the 20th Century and is already being mentioned as a candidate for sainthood. Watching today the ceremony and tradition unfold as the late Pope was moved to lie in state at St. Peter's Basilica it brought forth memories of that sad June day last year. Watching the pomp and ceremony attending the death of the greatest President I had known and I was similarly moved today. Last year I was never more proud to be an American and today I was never more proud to be a Catholic.
I am saddened for so many who have given up their faith. It is my belief that the rise of secularism has signaled the fall of prominence of old Europe. With less than 10% of french Catholics attending mass weekly, churches in England empty and German places of worship more accurately resembling middle eastern Mosques, we are witness to the fall of the Europe we were all taught about. Today the hope for a continued prominence for Europe lies ironically with those European nations which have maintained some semblance of faith. Italy, Poland and Spain as well as those nations strong in the Eastern Orthodox such as Ukraine.
Our Founding Fathers were all pious men. They did not believe that the church and government were necessarily exclusive of each other. They penned a Bill of Rights guaranteeing freedom OF religion, not freedom from it. The left would have you believe otherwise. Religiosity has long played a role in greatness both at the personal and the national level. The once great powers of Europe are yesterday's news because they must relearn that there is a power greater than their own and they must recognize that. To think of the state as the ultimate arbiter is as ill fated a theory today as it was when Nero determined to persecute the fledgling Christian movement. Today, Nero is a historical laughingstock and fully 1/3 of the world's population is Christian.
May God enjoy the presence of these two giants and may we all one day get the opportunity to meet them as well...
Smilin' Paul Villa U.S. Senate 2010
cyber-Congressman, R-Reno
Proud Member of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy and 2 SUV Family
Now we will see history venerate both of them. Ronald Reagan will go down as one of the 5 greatest United States Presidents. John Paul II is easily the greatest Pope of the 20th Century and is already being mentioned as a candidate for sainthood. Watching today the ceremony and tradition unfold as the late Pope was moved to lie in state at St. Peter's Basilica it brought forth memories of that sad June day last year. Watching the pomp and ceremony attending the death of the greatest President I had known and I was similarly moved today. Last year I was never more proud to be an American and today I was never more proud to be a Catholic.
I am saddened for so many who have given up their faith. It is my belief that the rise of secularism has signaled the fall of prominence of old Europe. With less than 10% of french Catholics attending mass weekly, churches in England empty and German places of worship more accurately resembling middle eastern Mosques, we are witness to the fall of the Europe we were all taught about. Today the hope for a continued prominence for Europe lies ironically with those European nations which have maintained some semblance of faith. Italy, Poland and Spain as well as those nations strong in the Eastern Orthodox such as Ukraine.
Our Founding Fathers were all pious men. They did not believe that the church and government were necessarily exclusive of each other. They penned a Bill of Rights guaranteeing freedom OF religion, not freedom from it. The left would have you believe otherwise. Religiosity has long played a role in greatness both at the personal and the national level. The once great powers of Europe are yesterday's news because they must relearn that there is a power greater than their own and they must recognize that. To think of the state as the ultimate arbiter is as ill fated a theory today as it was when Nero determined to persecute the fledgling Christian movement. Today, Nero is a historical laughingstock and fully 1/3 of the world's population is Christian.
May God enjoy the presence of these two giants and may we all one day get the opportunity to meet them as well...
Smilin' Paul Villa U.S. Senate 2010
cyber-Congressman, R-Reno
Proud Member of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy and 2 SUV Family
posted by Smilin' Paul Villa | 4:55 PM
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