Ong, Jan Kathleen B.

- 114098782

Greatwk C32

St. Pope John Paul II and Laborem Exercens

As we all know, St. Pope John Paul II is considered as one of the most influential
and respected religious leaders that ever lived. What made him well-known around
the world was his significant contributions to the Catholic church, especially as an
advocate for human rights. In a while, I would be discussing how the pope showed
importance to human rights and dignity, but for now let us get to know him and his
life before, during, and after becoming a pope and a saint, later on.
Before becoming the pope that everyone adored, he was simply known as Karol
Jozef Wojtyla. He was born on May 18, 1920 in Wadowice, Poland, and his parents
were Karol Wojtyla and Emilia Kaczorowska. In 1938, he entered the University of
Jagiellonian where he spent his high school years. Unfortunately, just a year after his
entry in the university, it had to close down during the German occupation. When he
realized that he wanted to become a priest, he studied at a secret seminary
regardless of the possible threats to his life. After the World War II, he continued his
studies and in 1946, he finally became a priest. He then stayed in Rome for two years
to finish his doctorate in Theology. In 1948, he went back to Poland wherein he served
various parishes, and ten years later, he served as the bishop of Ombi. In 1964, he was
appointed as the archbishop of Krakow.
Aside from those mentioned above, he also took part in the Second Vatican Council
wherein he helped review the church doctrines, and in 1967, he was given the
position of cardinal due to his contributions to the church. Finally, in 1978 he became
the most powerful leader of the Catholic Church by becoming the pope. During his
term as pope, he travelled in Italy and around the world to visit churches to meet
with his followers and carrying with him his message of peace and hope. Due to his
desire to have close encounter with other people, he was almost killed in 1981 when
he was shot twice in St. Peter's Square. As the pope grew older, it became harder for
him to move and walk around and it was said that he was suffering from Parkinson's
disease. The pope took his final breath on April 2, 2005 at the age of 84 in Vatican
City.
Several years after his death, his influence on the Catholic church can still be
observed until now. When he was still living, he was known for promoting human
rights, and for vocally expressing his opposition to oppression of people from different
walks of life. Laborem Exercens, one of his encyclicals, tells us that it is through labor
that we become co-creators with God, and by having a meaningful work, we are able
to satisfy our dignities as persons. Ever since the Industrial Revolution, workers have
been seen as objects that do the work, rather than persons with feelings and dignity.
But according to the pope, instead of focusing on the work performed by the person,
we should give more emphasis on the laborer since work should be seen as a right and
a basis for all other rights. As an example, it is through work that people are able to
provide for their families and it is the task of employers to make sure that laborers
are given enough compensation for their work. In relation to this, people with
disabilities should not be discriminated and should be allowed to work. In short, this
encyclical instills to us that aside from capital, human dignity and social justice
should be a priority.
On April 27, 2014, Pope John Paul II, together with Pope John XXIII, was officially
declared as saint.
References:
B.
(2014,
April
26).
John
Paul
II
Biography.
Retrieved
from
http://www.biography.com/people/john-paul-ii-9355652#legacy
(2011, November 21). Retrieved from http://www.cacatholic.org/teachings/catholic-socialteaching/social-encyclicals/laborem-exercens-human-work

Ong, Jan Kathleen B. - 114098782

Pope John Paul
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II.

(n.d.).

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