This is a segment of a larger article, by Sandro Magister, which provides an overview of the Holy Father's new book, "Alzatevi, Andiamo". It is the longest I've seen in English so far, and it may have to suffice for some time, as John Allen of the National Catholic Reporter says an English edition is not likely forthcoming until the Fall.
In the article, Mr. Magister compares and constrasts the initiatives undertaken by Karol Wojtyla as Archbishop of Krakow versus as Pope in Rome. Here is one instance where we learn that the Holy Father basically concedes defeat for the time being, in his ability to bring about authentic reform according the mind of the Council Fathers.
But the duplication in Rome of another of his great Krakow initiatives, the diocesan synod, failed. Stefan Wilkanowicz is the director of the Foundation for Christian Culture that flanks the magazine 'Znak', and he was one of the principal coordinators of the synod: 'The objective was to realize in the diocese the indications of Vatican Council II. We of the central commission fixed the principles, theme by theme, and the faithful, in groups, discussed how to apply them to concrete situations. At the beginning we foresaw approximately fifty groups, but in fact five hundred of them arose, working for seven years, with teams of typists employed day and night in copying the texts that the regime had forbidden us to print. It was a magnificent school of Christianity for thousands of people, without equal in Poland and perhaps in the world. They then tried to duplicate it on a national scale, but the bishops, first of all, were not equal to the task. Wojtyla also thought about doing something similar as pope, but then decided to let it go. I think the idea will be revisited within a century.'Other strategies would follow, but I don't have an overwhelming sense that the Holy Father believes the Council reforms are complete, or can even be declared a success to date. Surely, there are pockets of good fruits, but by and large, the true intent of the Council has not been permitted to see the light of day, that it might deliver on its promise. Take the reform of the Liturgy as one case in point.
