Vatican weighs in on U.S. reaction toward Iranian, Palestinian issues

Catholic News Service ^ | 12MAY06 | John Thavis

[familyop]

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Two topics looming large in the world arena -- the Hamas-led Palestinian government and Iran's nuclear program -- are drawing close attention these days from the Vatican's foreign policy experts.

On the Palestinian situation, the Vatican believes Hamas should be pressed to moderate its positions, but it opposes the U.S. and European strategy of cutting off foreign aid to the Palestinian Authority.

On Iran, the Vatican has encouraged the Iranian government to cooperate more fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency to ensure that its nuclear program is peaceful. At the same time, Vatican officials believe military intervention aimed at forcing Iran's hand would be disastrous.

Vatican sources spoke to Catholic News Service in early May, following a series of quiet diplomatic meetings on Middle Eastern developments.

On May 9, Kurt Volker, a U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state, briefed the Vatican's No. 2 foreign policy official, Msgr. Pietro Parolin, on these and other issues. Meeting with reporters afterward, Volker underlined areas of U.S.-Vatican agreement, including opposition to terrorism.

Part of the reason for the U.S. and European cutoff of funds to the Palestinian government, Volker said, is to "ensure that we are not condoning or supporting terrorism in any way."

The United States is using the funding freeze to pressure Hamas to renounce violence, to recognize Israel's right to exist and to accept previously negotiated peace agreements.

Vatican sources said the Holy See shares those three goals -- but completely disagrees that an economic boycott should be used to achieve them.

"Cutting off funds may strangle Hamas, but it also is strangling the Palestinian population. This is not the way to proceed," one source said. He said the Vatican viewed favorably efforts by some countries to devise a temporary international fund to deliver humanitarian funds to Palestinians, bypassing Hamas.

The Vatican also believes that it may take time for Hamas to moderate its policies, and that this should not be viewed as an absolute precondition to dialogue.

At present, the sources said, the Vatican continues to deal with the Palestinian Authority through the office of President Mahmoud Abbas, a member of the less-militant Fatah Party.

The Holy See has not sought direct contact with Hamas but would not exclude it should Hamas want to open talks, the sources said.

The Vatican believes this more flexible approach to Hamas might help encourage moderate voices inside the organization. After all, the sources pointed out, for years the Palestine Liberation Organization refused to accept Israel's right to exist, but eventually became a dialogue partner with Israel.

Economic disruption as a political tactic does not find favor at the Vatican. In the Vatican's view, even if the strategy causes the Hamas-led government to collapse, the long-term consequences would be more resentment and radicalization of the Palestinian population.

Iran's nuclear program -- which Iran says is solely for civilian uses -- poses a whole different set of challenges, and the church is only marginally involved. But the Vatican has had occasion to convey its positions to both U.S. and Iranian diplomats in recent weeks.

When Volker visited Rome, he said he assured the Vatican that the United States was pursuing a diplomatic approach to curbing Iran's nuclear program.

"I think that is something the Vatican appreciates -- that we are using every means possible to pursue a solution to this through diplomatic and economic measures and working through the U.N. Security Council," he said.

Some press reports have suggested that the U.S. administration, convinced that Iran is well on its way to building nuclear weapons, is already planning military action against Iran.

Vatican sources said the Holy See would view military intervention in Iran as morally unjustifiable and impractical.

The Vatican basically supports the position of the International Atomic Energy Agency, which has called on Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment program, allow more international inspections and work more cooperatively with the international community to certify that its nuclear development is strictly for peaceful purposes.

As one Vatican source said, Iran has the right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. But the history of Iran's program -- including its secrecy and the fact that it was directed by the military -- raises questions that Iran needs to clarify, he said.

The Vatican has explained its position to Iranian officials on more than one occasion. Iran has a large embassy to the Holy See and appears to take a great interest in pronouncements by Pope Benedict XVI and others at the Vatican.

In his Easter message "urbi et orbi" (to the city of Rome and the world), the pope reportedly pleased the Iranian diplomats when he said that problems linked to nuclear power require "an honorable solution ... for all parties, through serious and honest negotiations."

The pope also strongly defended Israel's "just right to exist in peace." Some felt that was directed at Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has repeatedly called for Israel to be "wiped off the map." One Vatican official said the Iranian president's views on Israel are considered outrageous.

END

[diverteach]

The Pope needs a reminder that God himself chose the Jews as his chosen people and not him, and promises blessings towards those that bless and protect her.

[Havoc]

Yeah, he does; but, they created replacement theology. Why believe the Bible when you can substitute philosophy. And why worry with the Chosen people when Rome thinks they are now the chosen people and have co-opted for Rome the titles of Jerusalem, etc. But you can't say that or you're a bigot or some convoluted nonsense of the sort.

[Dark Skies]

bump

[LSUfan]

No point in reading any further than this:

"On Iran, the Vatican has encouraged the Iranian government to cooperate more fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency to ensure that its nuclear program is peaceful."

If the Catholic church believes that there is even a remote chance that Iran's nuke program is peaceful, then they might as well be practicing pagan idolotry.

[Aggie Mama]

I don't like these articles.Too many, "a 4th rate level Vatican source said..." for my taste. The media outlets have a habit of doing this for the State Dept and Pentagon as well.

[Theoden]

The veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom.(Mark 15:38)

[Iscool]

One Vatican official said the Iranian president's views on Israel are considered outrageous

Just one, eh???

[Miss Marple]

My goodness, here you are again! Is your hoped-for third party going to be based on anti-Catholicism?

[betsyross1776]

The same Vatican that played ball with HITLER AND WATCHED THOUSANDS OF EASTERN EUROPEANS , JEWISH , HUNGARIAN, POLISH AND ALL OTHERS DIE DURING HITLER'S WAR. IF THIS POPE WANTS TO BE ANTOHER POPE OF WW2 SO BE IT. ONCE AGAIN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH TAKE S THE WRONG STAND. THEIR STAND IS- GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE AND HE WON'T WANT A GLASS OF MILK . Wrong during Hitler and now they are wrong with Iran .I CAN SEE THE NEXT LETTER TO THE POPE CONVERT TO ISLAM OR ELSE. bUT THEN AGAIN THE VATICAN ALWAYS DID BOW TO THE DICTATORS .

[Theoden]

Being the obvious intellectual titan that you are, so full of Christian love, you may have read the book, "The Myth of Hitler's Pope: How Pope Pius XII Rescued Jews from the Nazis", written by Jewish Rabbi David G. Dalin.

Here's a link to a reputable site supporting this...The Church, Pope Pius XII, & The Nazis

I CAN SEE THE NEXT LETTER TO THE POPE CONVERT TO ISLAM OR ELSE. bUT THEN AGAIN THE VATICAN ALWAYS DID BOW TO THE DICTATORS .

LOL. Do a search on this site on Pope Benedict XVI and Islam, and you will see that he is certainly no friend of Islam. Bowing to dictators? HAHAHA. The Vatican was subjugated/conquered by Napoleon and Mussolini, and quietly fought against them. Pope John Paul II with President Reagan brought down the Soviet Union. As for dealing with Islam, the Catholic Church has been dealing with them for the last 1,500 years...

I would tell you to educate yourself before mindlessly spouting your anti-Catholic rhetoric, but, I must assume that you are barely literate enough to read the Bible. You might want to take a class on typing while your at it.

[bert]

And Freeper Catholics tell us the Vatican is a religous organization.

[betsyross1776]

First of all did you not know it was not the pope, but Father Hugh OFlarrety , a high offical of the Catholic church that was responsible for the hiding of many jews, and soldiers through out Rome during the occupation of Italy by the germans. Father Oflarrety was hunted by the ss and in the end converted the very man the head of the ss, to the Catholic faith. This priest was awarded the highest medals from the United States and England. I know my history and if you studied Catholic history , according to history ,before you politically correct guys, the historians all claim the pope was afraid of Hitler , that Hitler would disband the VATICAN , and put in a phony pope who Hitler appointed. Pius before he died said he gave in to the ss in Rome too much. This statement came from him. Maybe you want to talk to a man who says nuke Israel and I should give up my faith to Islam but I prefer not too. Give that mouse a cookie and get the milk buster.Study history before you condem someone.

[betsyross1776]

Oh one more post here. I am a Catholic and also I studied history long before you knew how to spell the word. The Catholic church has made many mistakes it is not perfect God is . I suppose you believe everything the Cathloic church says and right now they do not have the best of reputations,aka catholic priests convicted for abuse and the church and variuos bishops ignoring it.The pope is not perfect CHRIST is!

[betsyross1776]

If all the info you got is the red pencil , I must have made a lot of sense, Too bad all you can see is what is in front of your nose. Look at the big picture, I can see the president of Iran saying ah another Catholic sucker. if you want to attack have fun, better people then you have tried it and I can handle it. But oh brother ,can I dish it out.If the truth hurts too bad , go get out the tissues cause I am not leaving here. Also if I hate Catholics It would mean I hate my self. I don't think so.

[GSlob]

"Cutting off funds may strangle Hamas, but it also is strangling the Palestinian population. This is not the way to proceed..."
Hamas is a pretty adequate reflection and representative of the said population. Thus it is precisely the way to proceed.

[Theoden]

The pope, as the head of the universal church, was NOT in a position to be openly against Hitler in the political sense. The Germans occupied fascist Italy at that time, so, not only would it have been likely that Hitler would have had the pope and the church hierarchy executed with an anti-pope set up, and the Vatican looted by his SS henchman, but the lives of millions of Catholics, and other Christians would have been put in jeopardy by such actions.

Unfortunately, the pope has to be as much a politician as a shepard of the church, and any actions he may have openly taken against Hitler would have had dire consequences. The SS were pagan in their beliefs, worshiping the old Germanic/Norse Gods, and vehemently persecuted all Christians, especially Catholics. The deaths that may have caused would have far out numbered the amount of those who would have been saved. Discretion and secrecy were the best ways to fight Hitler at that time. Pope Pius may have given in a little too much to them, but if your city was occupied with thousands of Nazi soldiers, you don't really have a choice in a lot of matters. The pope did what he could, when he could. I would have loved for the Church to have been more proactive in the helping of our Jewish brethren, but Monday morning quarterbacking does not change anything or help any body. Most European leaders at that time appeased Hitler too much.

I feel the same way as you on that Iranian nut case. It's not the pope's position, however, to go out and say, "Go ahead, nuke the bastard". That wouldn't be very Christian of him :) I can assure you, Pope Benedict XVI has no love for Islam, but he is simply acting as a "cautious voice" in this circumstance. The Iranian people hate this guy, especially the students, and including many of the people that once supported him. There is still hope for that country, and the pope knows it. If anything happens, it is likely that Israel will take them out first, with air support from us. I am very pro-Israel, and I want this Muslim filth taken out.

Please just don't go all out on the Pope or the Church, because some low-level guy in the Vatican made a statement of his own opinion. Thats like having Senator Kennedy making a statement, and someone reporting it as American foreign policy. I will defend my faith to the death, and if you have an issue with it, please be civil about it. There have been many scandals throughout history, most recently with the pedophile filth that came in during the 60's and 70's. Just remember, "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it", and for the last 2,000 years, Christ's words have held true. I do apologize if I come out swinging too harshly, I am just sick of having to defend my church from fellow Christians. I'd rather be fighting Muslims and Atheists. Have a good weekend.

[Conservative til I die]

The Pope needs a reminder that God himself chose the Jews as his chosen people and not him, and promises blessings towards those that bless and protect her.

And FReepers need to get on or off the fence about the Vatican. As long as the Church comes out in favor of life, the family, marriage, etc. it's "Go Vatican!" but when we take a moderate position on war and foreign policy, it's "Stay out of it!"

I fail to see what is so objectionable about the Vatican's statements. The Vatican generally doesn't take sides, loking for one country to "win" over the other. The Vatican idealisitically looks for a common ground and peace. Of course that may not always be possible in reality.

[Conservative til I die]

Yeah, he does; but, they created replacement theology. Why believe the Bible when you can substitute philosophy. And why worry with the Chosen people when Rome thinks they are now the chosen people and have co-opted for Rome the titles of Jerusalem, etc. But you can't say that or you're a bigot or some convoluted nonsense of the sort.

Making up more lies and loaded half-truths, bigot?

[Conservative til I die]

If the Catholic church believes that there is even a remote chance that Iran's nuke program is peaceful, then they might as well be practicing pagan idolotry.

What? Haven't you read FR before? According to the mouth breathers, knuckle draggers, and snake handlers, we're the mother of all pagan idolaters!!

But you're right. The Pope should have just said "Hey US, bomb those towel-headed camel-jockeys!!! God Bless Amurrka!!!!!"