local religious leaders react to john paul's death

Religious leaders from around the San Francisco Bay Area react to John Paul's death, noting the many accomplishments he has made during his long pontificate. Among those whose comments were printed in the local paper San Francisco Chronicle, was Rabbi Stephen Pearce of Temple Emanu-El in San Francisco who said that "[John Paul]has been a remarkable pacesetter in his willingness to reach out to the Jewish community...He tried to reach out and redress centuries of church history that fostered the hatred of Jews."

The Rev. Alan Jones, an Episcopal priest and dean of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, also commented, saying that "He was a symbol of unity for non-Catholics as well...While some of us wish he had been more open to some issues like birth control, he was a steadfast advocate of the poor and disenfranchised."

And Soulieman Ghali, president of the Islamic Society of San Francisco said that John Paul "broke new ground by inviting Muslims to the Vatican." He added that "[John Paul] was highly respected and loved for his understanding and appreciation of the Islamic faith."

More than any other pope in the past, John Paul, as these local leaders have attested, has done a lot with regards to fostering an ecumenical spirit in the Church.

Read the report from the Chronicle here.