European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 03, 1995, Darmstadt, Hesse Sli irs ii ital stripes Imi a Ino Pope s views sit Well with Many catholics. In military Community by Ron Jensen a i v staff writer when a Man from a far country As the polish Pope described himself was elected to head the Catholic Church in 1978, he impressed his worldwide constituency of More than 1 billion with his Energy and his Charm. Pope John Paul ii skied. He hiked the mountains. He Sang songs and played guitar. No Pope has travelled like this one has. Here was a Pope the first non italian Pope in More than four centuries with Charisma a polyglot Shepherd who tended his flock with compassion and warmth. And while his personal popularity has remained High with american catholics his stands on Church issues have created rifts Between the Vatican and some segments of the congregation in the United states that View him As too conservative. Gallop polls in 1992 and 1993 found 84 percent of the 60 million american catholics agreeing that the Pope is doing a Good Jofa. But a majority disagrees with him on issues ranging from the ordination of women priests to artificial birth control. Seventy two percent of american catholics thought it would be a Good thing if married men could be ordained As priests and 64 percent said the same thing about the ordination of women. And 87 percent think married couples should make their own decisions about birth control. Also about half of american catholics believe abortion should be Legal in a continued on Page 4 \ is illustration by Alice verberne
