DEAR EDITOR: In your editorial on Pope John Paul II, on April 10, you mentioned as a “drawback” that he had remained “in traditional categories like feminine passivity and mothering”.

First of all, Pope John Paul was a great champion of women's rights and of their involvement in every area of human life. In his 1995 World Day of Peace message he stated categorically: “Women have a full right to become actively involved in all areas of public life, and this right must be affirmed and guaranteed, also, where necessary, through appropriate legislation.”

And in his message to Gertrude Mongella, Secretary General of the United Nations Fourth World Conference on women held in Beijing , China , he recognised the unique role which women have in humanising society and he declared that women's contribution to the welfare and progress of society is “incalculable.”

Indeed, in his “Letter to Women” (June 1995) he speaks of the “feminine genius” and he says clearly that society owes much to the “genius of women.”

In this connection it was Pope John Paul II himself who appointed Mary Ann Glendon, a Harvard University Law Professor, as President of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.

And Pope John Paul II would certainly not consider “mothering” a passive role. In his message to the Beijing Conference he said quite definitely that “no response to women's issues can ignore women's role in the family or take lightly the fact that every new life is totally entrusted to the protection and care of the woman carrying it in her womb.”

He said that it is necessary to counter the misconception that the role of motherhood is offensive to women and that a commitment to her family, particularly to her children, prevents a woman from reaching personal fulfillment, and women as a whole from having an influence in society.

I can say more, but I feel it necessary to refute a false perception in the media, and even sometimes in the Catholic media, that Pope John Paul II had a negative approach to women. The very contrary is true!

In fact, in speaking about the “genius of women” he said: “Perhaps more than men, women acknowledge the person, because they see persons with their hearts. They see them independently of various ideological or political systems.

They see others in their greatness and limitations, they try to go out to them and help them. In this way the basic plan of the Creator takes flesh in the history of humanity and there is constantly revealed, in the variety of vocations, that beauty – not merely physical, but above all spiritual – which God bestowed from the very beginning on all, and in a particular way on women. (“Letter to Women” No 12.)

Fr Gervais Girod CSSp, St Theresa's, Woodbrook

DEAR EDITOR: We are all very sad at the passing of our religious leader, the Vicar of Christ. However, we are heartened by the fact that if he is not already with His Maker, he will soon be there.

As Archbishop Gilbert pointed out in his homily at the Mass celebrated to honour the life of the Pope, he mirrored so well in his own life, the advice he gave to his flock. “Be not afraid!”

He became the Vicar of Christ in a world and age that was very anti-Christian, but he took on his responsibilities with strength and courage, which showed at the very beginning of his pontificate when an attempt was made on his life.

He succeeded in almost all that he did, and so left his mark on the world. We must join therefore, with the other Catholics of the world in calling for his canonisation.

However, we must not be forgetful of the work of our own deceased Archbishop Anthony Pantin, who may not have had the great weight of the world on his shoulders, but nevertheless had a great load to carry because he was the first local Archbishop and knew that Catholics all over the world, as well as his own people, would be scrutinising his actions.

Pope John Paul II and Archbishop Pantin

He supported the efforts of his people, and there was never a legitimate invitation to a function or meeting that he refused as long as he knew that his presence would support its cause. He loved everyone dearly and his humour drew children to him, and he always let them know of the sacrifices their parents made for them, and was never ashamed to speak of the sacrifices his own parents had made for him. He wore his priestly robes with grace and dignity.

He also ruled flock in an age where Christian values were not appreciated as before and in which family life was no longer regarded as sacrosanct.

He had his own column in the Catholic News and did his best to direct the faithful in the right path through his writings, and when he thought that was not enough, he even invited them to his residence to clarify certain points.

He even made his column available in a secular newspaper where he could reach out to a larger number of people. He was really a man of the people. He had a special love for our young people and always wanted to see them happy.

We here in Trinidad and Tobago are a people of many faiths, and he did his best to unite the population. Like the deceased Holy Father, he, too, took his shoes off and entered a mosque. At the end of his life, he bore his illness with the calm acceptance of the will of God.

Let us, therefore, think of calling for the canonisation of a great shepherd who was a father to all the members of his flock. We love all our priests, bishops and religious leaders but let us not forget this peaceful, loving, kind, holy, humble, down-to-earth son of our soil as we are often apt to do with those who are nearest and dearest to us.

God bless us all

Cynthia Allen, Last Principal, Catholic Teachers' College .

DEAR EDITOR: I was recently baptised and experienced a most wonderful encounter with the Holy Spirit. For those who have been baptised recently, this is just the beginning.

I have had many challenges as I proceeded down this road and believe me I know there are many more to test my faith. This new beginning is what we must focus on, and keep reminding ourselves of our commitment to God and the community.

There are many temptations out there and easy way out but there would never be the peace and happiness we all seek. Though we face obstacles on our journey, the peace we received from walking with Jesus is fulfilling and everlasting.

I wish to touch on an issue that is creating distress and pain and that is where families are experiencing cheating in a relationship. Men especially are not really putting their trust in God and are seeking for superficial happiness on the outside.

Family lives are being destroyed by inconsiderate women who care nothing for other women and their children. They seek to create turmoil for others and these men are lost in the material world and lust.

I believe that we all have to stand up and pray for those who hurt others and create unhappy families and that they go to God. We need to stop turning a blind eye to an evil that creates dysfunctional families, where eventually we are left with single- parenting and a lot of hurting and angry children.

Thank you and may God bless us all.

Child of Christ.