July 2005

THE
INFLUENCE
OF THE
PAPACY
(II)


“And all that
dwell upon
the earth
shall worship
him…”
Revelation 13:8.

 Then came the time of Karol Wojtyla,
John Paul II, who devoted a good part
of his time and energy to establish
a better contact with society and
other religious groups. In his days,
communism fell in the East, perhaps
also due to his work and infl uence. He
is known for being a devout of Mary
and promoting her worship, what
surely was not a bridge to come nearer
to the protestant confessions. His
conservative line is revealed also in
underlining Roman catholic tradition
and improving discipline, with the
promulgation of the new codex of
canonical rights (1983) (5).
It was his wish to improve
the observance of Sunday and, for
this reason, published the letter
“Dies Domini” in 1998. But this has
not produced so much change in the
common life of millions of people,
interested more in having a nice weekend,
sports shows and hobbies, than to
take time for religious meetings. Also
the issue of the war in Iraq revealed that
the power of the infl uence of papacy
has been very limited. Not only Rome,
but million and millions of people in
all Europe were for peace and not in
favour of that war, but still the war
has taken place. Another hard stroke and
denial to his infl uence can be seen during
the recent discussion for the constitution
of the United Europe. It was the whish
of the papacy to mention the Christian
roots of Europe in that constitution, but
although he repeated his request more
times, it was constantly rejected. Against
his will, he hade to take this defeat. The
need to evangelise Europe anew was
seen very clearly.
Considering all these aspects
may be that some one will come to
the conclusion that until now no sure
proof may be presented in favour of the
fulfi lment of the prophecy. Some other
may think that there are more proofs
against than in favour and therefore could
be great doubts also for the future. But
this would be a unilateral conclusion. We
have not to remain considering only one
part, like the former information. There
are other modern aspects which call our
attention.
One of this is the prayer meeting
in Assisi, Italy, which deserves also to be
considered. Here, only certain months
ago, not only Christians of different
confessions have been invited, but also
representa-tive of other monotheistic
religions, like Hebrews and Muslims.
And even representative of polytheistic
or pagan religions where there following
the call of the papacy, with the goal of
unity among the religious organization!
Buddhists, Shintoists and Taoists from
Asia, Animists from Africa, and others,
all were there together representing
their religion and responding to the call
of the papacy. It remained a testimony		 which cannot be forgotten. Papacy has
his infl uence, especially in the religious
world!
Not so long ago, a year of
jubilee was celebrated in Italy. What
have we seen in that time? Hundreds and
thousands of people went to Rome, as
result of the invitation, to hear the voice
and message of the pope. It was like a
river fl owing in a different direction
under the leadership of the papacy’s
teaching. Not only aged people, but
also young people arrived in masses. In
Rome, special preparations are be made
in order to receive such extraordinary
affl uence.
The time came when pope
John Paul II became sick. Information
and interest from every mass media
communication, and every little
information, was commented, printed and
transmitted. Around the world, people
were attached to radios, televisions,
computers and cellulars, expecting one
moment after another to hear every
development and prayer. When the news
of his death came, people all over the
world were praying and crying. In some
countries, this was the subject presented
on radio and television. Millions of
people, together with many leaders of
religious orga-nizations and more than
two hundred presidents of different
countries, or their representatives,
streamed to Rome to be present at the
ceremony, sometimes having even more
representatives from the same country.
Through radio and television broadcasts,
more than a billion people followed that
funeral. This may be considered as the
greatest manifestation ever seen, in
the past, in favor of the papacy. In the
meantime, news of “miracles” done
during his life or after his death were
spreading in the world. It should be no
surprise that pope John Paul II has been tha
already proposed for sanctifi cation.
Therefore, how do we interpret all
these developments? We may say that
some old strategies have changed, but
the nature of the papacy institution
itself has remained the same.
Immediately after Joseph
Ratzinger was elected as the new pope,
he took the name of Benedict XVI. After
this development, the eco in the world
was remarkable. Now, expectations
and fears are great, especially by those
who know him from his past positions
as a hard person. What will happen
now that he became pope? What will
he bring in the Catholic Church and in
the world? The future will reveal more.
The strategy may still change, but, in
question of teachings and principles,
the papacy and Rome remain exactly
the same. With reason someone has
written: “The more Rome changes, the
more Rome stays the same” (6).
Inspired writings say exactly
the same: “And let it be remembered,
it is the boast of Rome that she never
changes. The principles of Gregory VII
and Innocent III are still the principles
of the Roman Catholic Church. And had
she but the power, she would put them
in practice with as much vigor now as in
past centuries....
“God’s word has given warning of the
impending danger; let this be unheeded,		 and the Protestant world will learn
what the purposes of Rome really
are, only when it is too late to escape
the snare. She is silently growing into
power. Her doctrines are exerting their
infl uence in legislative halls, in the
churches, and in the hearts of men.
She is piling up her lofty and massive
structures in the secret recesses of
which her former persecutions will be
repeated. Stealthily and unsuspectedly
she is strengthening her forces to
further her own ends when the time
shall come for her to strike. All that she
desires is vantage ground, and this is
already being given her. We shall soon
see and shall feel what the purpose
of the Roman element is. Whoever
shall believe and obey the word of
God will thereby incur reproach and
persecution” (7).
In these last days, we
have the privilege to be witnesses
of developments unknown to past
generations. We have more elements
in our hands to understand Bible
prophecies. In Revelation 17, there
is a “woman” represented as sitting
on “waters” and these “waters” “are
peoples, and multitudes, and nations,
and tongues” (Revelation 17:3,
15). Today more than yesterday, in
connection with the pope’s deat,h we
have seen these “multitudes” coming
from everywhere. Truly, “all that dwell
upon the earth” now “worship him.”
In our days, it has been fulfi lled much
more than in the past, and, in the future,
this prophecy will be completely
fulfi lled. It is time to be wake and let
the sound of the trumped to be heard. Are
we prepared to face the emergency and
give with power the precious message
for our time that the Lord has entrusted
us?
–A. Di Franca
Ministerial Department Leader

1. Enciclopedia del cattolico, Mondadori,
Verona 1948, parte seconda, volume A-L,
under “crociate”, pp. 266-269; Martin
Kobialka, Rivoluzione in Vaticano, pp. 110-
115; original edition published in Zeutern,
German, 1998.
2. Enciclopedia del cattolico, Mondadori,
Verona, 1948, under “inquisizione”, pp. 484-
485.
3. Enciclopedia del cattolico, pp. 484,485;
Kobialka, Ibidem, 124-130; Michael de
Semlyen, Alle Wege führen nach Rom.
Evangelikale – wohin, Christliche Literatur-
Verbreitung e. V., Bielefeld, 1993, pp. 167-
172.
4. Enciclopedia del cattolico, parte terza, M-Z,
under “potere temporale”, pp. 725-726 and
parte seconda, A-L, under “conciliazione”, p.
232.
5. Enciclopedia universale Garzanti, Milano,
1995, p. 643.
6. W. G. Johnsson, “The Papacy in
Transition”, in www.adventistreview.
org/2005-1516/story6.html
7. White, Ellen G. The Great Controversy,
p. 581.		 Produced and Published by
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