Posted on 01/01/2004 5:55:35 AM PST by HAL9000
VATICAN CITY, Jan 1 (Reuters) - The world needs a "new international order" to solve its conflicts and ensure peace, Pope John Paul said in his New Year's Day address on Thursday.The ghosts of 2003 -- when the United States invaded Iraq without United Nations approval -- dominated the pope's first speech of 2004.
"More than ever we need a new international order which draws on the experience and results of the United Nations," the 83-year-old pontiff said at a mass in St Peter's Basilica.
"An order which is capable of finding adequate solutions to today's problems, based on the dignity of human beings, on integrating all society, on solidarity between rich and poor countries, on the sharing of resources and the extraordinary results of scientific and technological progress," he added.
Speaking at Christendom's largest church, the pope urged people not to lose hope of finding peace in the Holy Land, which the Vatican feels is vital to winning the war on terror.
"The land in which Jesus was born sadly continues to live in a dramatic condition. And in other parts of the world sparks of violence and conflict have not been extinguished either. But we need to persevere and not bow to the temptation of losing hope."
Turning to Africa, the pope paid tribute to his Burundi ambassador, Michael Courtney, killed on Monday in an ambush the army has blamed on rebels who have refused to join a peace process to end a 10-year conflict.
"(He) was tragically killed...while he was going about his mission of promoting dialogue and reconciliation. We pray for him and hope his example and sacrifice will bear the fruits of peace in Burundi and the world," the pope said.
The leader of the world's one billion Catholics, who suffers from Parkinson's disease that makes it difficult for him to talk, seemed alert and read all of his homily in a clear voice.
But it is unclear what 2004 holds for him. For the first time since his election in 1978, the pope enters the new year with no firm plans for travel, although there have been some invitations.
He was particularly weak on his last foreign trip, a visit to Slovakia in September, when aides had to read most of his addresses for him.
Thanks for my laugh of the day! Where do I start: Mary's perpetual virginity, Mary's sinlessnes, Purgatory, selling indulgences, the notion that works are required for salvation?Note that you started this by giving unwanted advice to Catholics.You should practice what you bellow, er, preach.
No, the pope started this by giving unwarranted advice to the entire world. Please do try to get your facts straight.
Without.
No need to get morose here... Sooner or later we must accept the reality: when the inmates outnumber the keepers, the roles reverse. It's only fair. Egalitarianism is a simple concept for simple times.
Yeah, BlackElk is the "big gun" who is always brought in to save the day from us supposed Catholic bashers.
that is their usual tactic.
They post articles with some Catholic churchman making pronouncements on political issues, telling us what our laws should be,etc then when people criticize this they scream "Catholic-bashing"!to try and intimidate the opposition.
That it doesn't work doesn't stop them from trying.
They want to have it both ways-to influence our laws according to their beliefs and yet be immune from criticism because their beliefs are religious.
HEY!
No need to get personal!
OK... who blabbed... ?
I just got to learn this image posting thing...
Come now, we can't have reason and logic around here. BlackElk obviously hasn't bellowed enough at you yet.
And the Catholic Church has a long history of supporting the freedoms of the First Amendment, and the rest of the Bill of Rights?
Suuuure it does
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