Cotswold catholics mourn Pontiff (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cotswold catholics mourn Pontiff

WITH thousands of mourners flocking to Rome to pray for John Paul II, the Roman Catholic community in Cirencester gathered in subdued mood on Sunday.

The congregation of St Peter's Church met to pay their respects to the head of the Catholic Church, who died aged 84 on Saturday.

And Father Michael Davies, who has been at St Peter's since 1999, joined church leaders across the world in paying tribute to the inspirational figure.

He said: "There was quite a subdued mood on Sunday, but I think people were pleased that he didn't go on suffering any longer.

"He could have decided to retire when he became ill but he choose to battle on which I think is admirable."

When elected Pope in 1978 Karol Wojtyla was the first non-Italian to hold the post since the 16th century. He was Polish.

He was also a prolific traveller during his papacy, a man who believed he was duty-bound to preach a message of peace and unity across the globe.

He made some 38 official visits to other nations and met hundreds of heads of state and prime ministers, including the Queen, Fidel Castro and Yassir Arafat.

Father Michael said: "What I remember most are his visits around the world. I took part in one of them - I saw him in Cardiff in 1982.

"There was great uncertainty at the time about whether he would come or not because of the war in the Falkland's.

"But he came true to his word and the little I saw was quite amazing."

The College of Cardinals will elect the new Bishop of Rome in the days following the funeral of John Paul II.

But in the mean time there is great speculation as to who is most likely to be his successor, with possible candidates from both Africa and Latin America.

Father Michael added: "I think it's quite an exciting time for the church. "I hope they don't elect a stopgap pope, somebody who will be around for only a few years - I think we need a young person who has vision.

"John Paul II set things up in the sense that about 40 percent of the cardinals he made are from Africa, Asia and Latin America.

"I think that's interesting because we have now got quite a representative body choosing the new Pope."

Aside from his renown for drawing huge crowds across the world, John Paul II was also a controversial figure.

In 1981 he was shot by Turkish gunmen Mehmet Ali Agca, who he later publicly forgive for the assassination attempt.

He was also seen by many as staunchly conservative and, in keeping with the traditions of the Catholic faith, vehemently against priests marrying and any form of contraception, a moral stance often lambasted by liberal thinkers.

Nevertheless, his moral authority and lifelong efforts to unify rather than divide have been an inspiration to millions.

The Bishop of Gloucester gave thanks to a courageous and passionate Christian leader, who was thoroughly engaged with the world around him.

The Right Rev Michael Perham, said: "He had the particular desire for unity, both among Christians and, beyond that, with all people of faith in the world.

"It's important to remember him, not so much as a frail old man, even though he showed great courage, but as a man of immense energy and intellect."