Dân chúng Phi Châu nghĩ gì về ĐGH Gioan Phaolô II (Anh ngữ)
Hãng truyền hình quốc tế CNN đã yêu cầu thính giả trên khắp thế giới bày tỏ cảm nghĩ của mình đối với ĐGH Gioan Phaolô II vừa mới qua đời vào hôm thứ Bảy. Sau đây là những lá thơ trong số hàng triệu cái gửi về cho cơ quan truyền hình CNN qua địa chỉ WWW.CNN.COM. Truyền hình CNN đã chia các thư này theo từng lục địa. Hôm nay chúng tôi trích đăng nguyên văn các thư gửi từ Phi Châu để quý độc giả VietCatholic tham khảo.
Pope John Paul II was a man of his flock. He touched our hearts when he visited Tanzania in the early '90s. He won us over shortly on arrival when he spoke in Swahili at the airport. Though I personally did not have the privilege of a close encounter with him, there was a moment when our eyes met from a distance! A shiver of joy ran through me. I will cherish that moment all my life!
Joe Pereira; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
I think Pope John Paul II will remain the greatest spiritual leader of our time. The people's pope. Adieu, Papa, may your gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.
Michael Ikoro; Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Pope John Paul II will always be remembered for his goodness and greatness -- serving as the voice of the true moral conscience of our times. He reached out and ministered to the youth, thereby acknowledging that only through them, can the Catholic Church rejuvenate its being and invigorate its strength at a time of moral decadence and fledgling and failing faith in God.
Mary Edel Guzman; Kinshasa, Congo
Our dear beloved Holy Father was a source of inspiration for all of mankind. His lesson of forgiveness, humility and respect for human life will always be remembered by me and I am sure by a million others. He truly reached out irrespective of creed, religion, culture or race.
Mark Seale; Cape Town, South Africa
He was a great man. [He] will always be remembered when he visited my country preaching peace everywhere. To us Africans, his papacy will go down in history as as a period [when] we had someone on our side every time things were going bad. We shall miss his papal messages, which [gave] encouragement to us every time we were faced with problems -- wars, famine and drought.
Daudi Tumwesige; Kampala, Uganda
Pope John Paul II is, for me, the epitome of a true leader. He was steadfast, he was resolute, he was compassionate and best of all, he went to see the people, even though the people would have been just as happy to go and see him.
Louisa Benedict; Lagos, Nigeria
I am a Muslim from Nigeria, but I admire a person who is decent and honest. John Paul II touched the lives of almost everyone on this Earth. He was trustworthy, humble and kind. His teachings made this world a better place. I hope that people in all places will remember this example and follow in his footsteps.
Zahraddeen Sanusi; Dutse, Nigeria
This man was a true and faithful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. His rule came at a most critical time in church and secular history. No lesser man could have stopped the rapid decline of the '60s and early '70s into apostasy, spiritual darkness and hopelessness. His love, fairness and firmness is in accordance with the nature of the Lord he served. His love as responsibility stood on the firm ground that the secular world does not set the agenda for God's church but the church must influence and give moral direction to the world.
Fred Shaw; Middelburg, South Africa
What a wonderful example set for the entire world by this 84-year-old man. In this superficial youth-crazy world it is so uplifting to see what an older person can still achieve and contribute on such a scale. We must follow this shining example and start to revere our older citizens again, instead of just writing them off and forgetting about them. Our father the pope has left a legacy of love and tolerance that it will be a shame to squander. Loving Papa, rest in peace at last.
Theresa Garnowski; Zvishavane, Zimbabwe
A man of honor. I was personally touched with his act of forgiveness. He was a kind of leader who set a legacy to follow. The pope was not just a great man. .. he was an exceptional, great man.
Omoniyi Ben; Mafoluku, Nigeria
I am a Muslim, yet sadness and sorrow were felt when we heard the news. His fight against communism, poverty and hatred are all white pages in the history of mankind that makes any man from any religion or belief stop and honor this human character for its courage. We also won't forget how he tried to make different religions open channels of peaceful communications between each other so that man can talk about his beliefs in halls instead of wars and battles. His wisdom was obvious in speeches and actions. My sincere condolences to the Vatican and all Catholics around the world; we will miss him very much.
Mohamed Gambolaty; Cairo, Egypt
The pope has really brought the love of neighbors into the world. He has visited all parts of the world, preaching for freedom, repentance of sin and the way to salvation. God sent him to work and preach; he achieved it. May his soul rest in perfect peace.
Iwuh Ferdinand Emeka; Port Harcourt, Nigeria
He was a man of wisdom, dignity, advocate of peace and above all the father of all. I am a youth, and I had been inspired by his works. He traveled around the world, uniting all [despite] so many differences. .. let alone the rift between the so-called popular religions: Islam, Christianity and Judaism.. .. Indeed, he was the man of all times. He will not be missed by his house [Catholics] only, but the whole world will miss him, too.
Alpheus Mogwe; Gaborone, Botswana
Pope John Paul II [was] a nice man. I love the way he talked, and I remember the way he came to Nigeria to talk with our late head of state [Gen. Sani Abacha]. No matter anything, may God bless his soul and may the good Lord grant him a perfect place in heaven.
Cathy; Lagos, Nigeria
Pope John Paul II was a living saint. He will be remembered forever, especially his philosophy, faith and reason. May he enjoy eternal rest.
Thomas; Arusha, Tanzania
The pope was honest, caring, friendly, generous, nice and very special. He equalized everyone and was always a simple man. The death of this great man has shocked the whole world. The light has gone out of our lives, and there is darkness everywhere. Our father is no more.
Kodou; Banjul, Gambia
It's a very sad thing to hear about the pope's death, as he was a man of peace. He was a great man, and the world has lost a great leader. I am sure he will be in heaven where all the angels will be waiting to receive him. I hope his successor will continue with his good intentions and work.
Tony Isaac Shallop; Freetown, Sierra Leone
This man was sent to us to teach us wisdom, patience, tolerance and above all humility. I wish and pray that all mankind begin to learn these lessons. He was a legend and should be remembered by all mankind as a peaceful human being. May his soul rest in peace.
Paul; Cape Town, South Africa
John Paul dies. I cry for myself and weep for the world (this world of terror, torture, immorality and corrupt practices). Where thence lies hope, without a pope (like there never will be)?
Joseph Ajegwu; Kano, Nigeria
Hãng truyền hình quốc tế CNN đã yêu cầu thính giả trên khắp thế giới bày tỏ cảm nghĩ của mình đối với ĐGH Gioan Phaolô II vừa mới qua đời vào hôm thứ Bảy. Sau đây là những lá thơ trong số hàng triệu cái gửi về cho cơ quan truyền hình CNN qua địa chỉ WWW.CNN.COM. Truyền hình CNN đã chia các thư này theo từng lục địa. Hôm nay chúng tôi trích đăng nguyên văn các thư gửi từ Phi Châu để quý độc giả VietCatholic tham khảo.
Pope John Paul II was a man of his flock. He touched our hearts when he visited Tanzania in the early '90s. He won us over shortly on arrival when he spoke in Swahili at the airport. Though I personally did not have the privilege of a close encounter with him, there was a moment when our eyes met from a distance! A shiver of joy ran through me. I will cherish that moment all my life!
Joe Pereira; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
I think Pope John Paul II will remain the greatest spiritual leader of our time. The people's pope. Adieu, Papa, may your gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.
Michael Ikoro; Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Pope John Paul II will always be remembered for his goodness and greatness -- serving as the voice of the true moral conscience of our times. He reached out and ministered to the youth, thereby acknowledging that only through them, can the Catholic Church rejuvenate its being and invigorate its strength at a time of moral decadence and fledgling and failing faith in God.
Mary Edel Guzman; Kinshasa, Congo
Our dear beloved Holy Father was a source of inspiration for all of mankind. His lesson of forgiveness, humility and respect for human life will always be remembered by me and I am sure by a million others. He truly reached out irrespective of creed, religion, culture or race.
Mark Seale; Cape Town, South Africa
He was a great man. [He] will always be remembered when he visited my country preaching peace everywhere. To us Africans, his papacy will go down in history as as a period [when] we had someone on our side every time things were going bad. We shall miss his papal messages, which [gave] encouragement to us every time we were faced with problems -- wars, famine and drought.
Daudi Tumwesige; Kampala, Uganda
Pope John Paul II is, for me, the epitome of a true leader. He was steadfast, he was resolute, he was compassionate and best of all, he went to see the people, even though the people would have been just as happy to go and see him.
Louisa Benedict; Lagos, Nigeria
I am a Muslim from Nigeria, but I admire a person who is decent and honest. John Paul II touched the lives of almost everyone on this Earth. He was trustworthy, humble and kind. His teachings made this world a better place. I hope that people in all places will remember this example and follow in his footsteps.
Zahraddeen Sanusi; Dutse, Nigeria
This man was a true and faithful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. His rule came at a most critical time in church and secular history. No lesser man could have stopped the rapid decline of the '60s and early '70s into apostasy, spiritual darkness and hopelessness. His love, fairness and firmness is in accordance with the nature of the Lord he served. His love as responsibility stood on the firm ground that the secular world does not set the agenda for God's church but the church must influence and give moral direction to the world.
Fred Shaw; Middelburg, South Africa
What a wonderful example set for the entire world by this 84-year-old man. In this superficial youth-crazy world it is so uplifting to see what an older person can still achieve and contribute on such a scale. We must follow this shining example and start to revere our older citizens again, instead of just writing them off and forgetting about them. Our father the pope has left a legacy of love and tolerance that it will be a shame to squander. Loving Papa, rest in peace at last.
Theresa Garnowski; Zvishavane, Zimbabwe
A man of honor. I was personally touched with his act of forgiveness. He was a kind of leader who set a legacy to follow. The pope was not just a great man. .. he was an exceptional, great man.
Omoniyi Ben; Mafoluku, Nigeria
I am a Muslim, yet sadness and sorrow were felt when we heard the news. His fight against communism, poverty and hatred are all white pages in the history of mankind that makes any man from any religion or belief stop and honor this human character for its courage. We also won't forget how he tried to make different religions open channels of peaceful communications between each other so that man can talk about his beliefs in halls instead of wars and battles. His wisdom was obvious in speeches and actions. My sincere condolences to the Vatican and all Catholics around the world; we will miss him very much.
Mohamed Gambolaty; Cairo, Egypt
The pope has really brought the love of neighbors into the world. He has visited all parts of the world, preaching for freedom, repentance of sin and the way to salvation. God sent him to work and preach; he achieved it. May his soul rest in perfect peace.
Iwuh Ferdinand Emeka; Port Harcourt, Nigeria
He was a man of wisdom, dignity, advocate of peace and above all the father of all. I am a youth, and I had been inspired by his works. He traveled around the world, uniting all [despite] so many differences. .. let alone the rift between the so-called popular religions: Islam, Christianity and Judaism.. .. Indeed, he was the man of all times. He will not be missed by his house [Catholics] only, but the whole world will miss him, too.
Alpheus Mogwe; Gaborone, Botswana
Pope John Paul II [was] a nice man. I love the way he talked, and I remember the way he came to Nigeria to talk with our late head of state [Gen. Sani Abacha]. No matter anything, may God bless his soul and may the good Lord grant him a perfect place in heaven.
Cathy; Lagos, Nigeria
Pope John Paul II was a living saint. He will be remembered forever, especially his philosophy, faith and reason. May he enjoy eternal rest.
Thomas; Arusha, Tanzania
The pope was honest, caring, friendly, generous, nice and very special. He equalized everyone and was always a simple man. The death of this great man has shocked the whole world. The light has gone out of our lives, and there is darkness everywhere. Our father is no more.
Kodou; Banjul, Gambia
It's a very sad thing to hear about the pope's death, as he was a man of peace. He was a great man, and the world has lost a great leader. I am sure he will be in heaven where all the angels will be waiting to receive him. I hope his successor will continue with his good intentions and work.
Tony Isaac Shallop; Freetown, Sierra Leone
This man was sent to us to teach us wisdom, patience, tolerance and above all humility. I wish and pray that all mankind begin to learn these lessons. He was a legend and should be remembered by all mankind as a peaceful human being. May his soul rest in peace.
Paul; Cape Town, South Africa
John Paul dies. I cry for myself and weep for the world (this world of terror, torture, immorality and corrupt practices). Where thence lies hope, without a pope (like there never will be)?
Joseph Ajegwu; Kano, Nigeria