Assisi was probably the bravest, most eloquent and creative initiative taken by John Paul II. Some voices of criticism were undoubtedly born in the circle of the Roman Curia, since the Pope, in a conversation in 1987 with Andrea Riccardi, founder and head of the Community of St. Gogo, jokingly said: “We are moving forward, we continue, even though it was very close to be excommunicated…”
It is true that this brought some polemic, but given the novelty of the idea, it was quite limited. The strongest voice of the accusation was put out by a group of lefebrists. Critical opinions also came from the Church, from the curia itself, although they were mainly written by the elderly, fearing that Assisi might give rise to syncretism, that it could put all religions on an equal level, lead to spiritual ‘melting pot’ – “melting”. But that didn’t happen. Absolutely not. The Holy Father repeatedly explained, earlier and later, “we were there together to pray, but not to pray together.”
With the consent of Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz – “Testimony”.
TBA marketing communication Publishing House. Warsaw 2007
