Agca to be released

The man who shot and nearly killed Pope John Paul II in 1981 is scheduled to be released from prison January 12.

Mehmet Ali Agca has completed his sentence.

The Vatican has declined to comment on the matter, leaving it to the courts to decide.

But then, Pope John Paul II has already made his position known regarding Agca.

He forgave him.

As Catholic World News reports:

“Shortly after the near-fatal shooting in May 1981, Pope John Paul II said that he had forgiven his assailant and was praying for him. In 1983, the late Pope met with Agca in his Italian prison cell. The Turkish gunman-- whose own explanations of the assassination attempt have been wildly inconsistent-- later described the Pope as his "spiritual brother," and unsuccessfully sought permission from prison authorities to attend Pope John Paul's funeral.

“From Krakow, Archbishop Stanislas Dziwisz, the longtime secretary to Pope John Paul, told the Italian press agency Apcom that the Turkish court decision was a secondary consideraton. `John Paul II has already pardoned Ali Agca, a long time ago,’ the Polish prelate said. `Now, in heaven, he is praying for him.’

Speaking as the brother of a murder victim, I think we should follow Pope John Paul’s lead.

For the full story, go to (http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=41708)