Cardinal Cañizares Reflects on John Paul II's Legacy

(July 23, 2011) "Christ alone will save us" were the five words Spanish Cardinal Antonio Cañizares the prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, expressed to summarize the spiritual legacy left by John Paul II. With this message, closed the pastoral theological conference "John Paul II, Witness of Hope," organized by the Archdiocese of Arequipa. Cardinal Cañizares said that the challenges John Paul II faced, continue to be the ones the Church faces today and they were articulated in his last book, year 2004: "Rise, Let Us Be on Our Way," "He told all of us, with his sight fixed on Christ, sustained by the hope that does not disappoint, let us walk together on the paths of the new millennium," explained the Spanish cardinal. Cardinal Cañizares exhorted his listeners to accept John Paul II's call to holiness, which he himself embodied and posed as pastoral priority. "Only with saints will the Gospel be credible, visible and followed," he stressed.
Quoting John Paul II, he exhorted: "Let us not be afraid to be saints. Let us follow him who is source of liberty, life and love. Only grace and its means will sanctify us. Let us take part in the means and paths that lead us to holiness."