Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz went ahead and published a book of Pope John Paul II’s private notes, despite the pontiff’s dying wish to throw them in the fire.
The book, “I Am Very Much in God’s Hands,” will be published Wednesday in Poland, The New York Times reported. The publication has sparked no small measure of outrage, with many in the Catholic Church calling the cardinal’s decision an outright act of betrayal.
The cardinal served as the pontiff’s personal secretary and one of his closest advisers, The Times reported. He defended his actions by saying he “did not have the courage” to abide by John Paul’s last will and testament.
The notes reportedly included the pope’s religious meditations and reflections from as far back as 1962. Pope John Paul died in 2005 and is due for canonization on April 27.
“In writing his will, the Holy Father knew he was entrusting these notebooks to someone who would treat them responsibly,” the cardinal said, The Times reported. “I had no doubt these were such important items, testifying to the spirituality of a great pope, that it would be a crime to destroy them.”
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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