Posted on 07/14/2006 7:51:25 AM PDT by dinoparty
Vatican condemns Israel for attacks on Lebanon VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - The Vatican on Friday strongly deplored Israel's strikes on Lebanon, saying they were "an attack" on a sovereign and free nation.
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano said Pope Benedict and his aides were very worried that the developments in the Middle East risked degenerating into "a conflict with international repercussions."
"In particular, the Holy See deplores right now the attack on Lebanon, a free and sovereign nation, and assures its closeness to these people who already have suffered so much to defend their independence," he told Vatican Radio.
Israel struck Beirut airport again on Friday and bombed Lebanese roads, power supplies and communication networks in a widening campaign after Hizbollah guerrillas seized two Israeli soldiers and killed eight.
Sodano said the Vatican condemned both "terroristic attacks" and military reprisals.
Hizbollah, which wants to trade its captives for prisoners held in Israel, has showered rockets across the frontier in its fiercest bombardment since 1996 when Israel launched a 17-day blitz against southern Lebanon and Hizbollah. ADVERTISEMENT
But Sodano reserved his harshest words for Israel.
"The right of defence on the part of a state does not exempt it from its responsibility to respect international law, particularly regarding the safeguarding of civilian populations," he said.
This is most unfortunate.
The Vatican is wrong
Just how many times is Israel expected to turn the other cheek,Cardinal?
Politically, they must condemn the attacks. If they supported them in any way it would start the "crusade" publicity by the Islamic pukes.
I'll second your comment. Very disappointing to say the least.
If the vatican had ever taken a hardline stance against islam it may have a leg to stand on. As it is, it never has and it doesn't.
As usual, the Vatican is out to lunch.
I understand that point .. but it's best if they said nothing at all, imo
I can never figure out why it's alright for Israel to be attacked but never right for them to attack...according to the Vatican, the EU, etc.
Not a word when the PLO or Hizbullah is lobing missles into Israel, but let them retaliate and the world gets "up in arms."
Krauthammer had a great article this morning discussing that very thing.
This is just more fodder for the Isalmofascists.
Wheres the condeming of palestinian suicide bombers? The vatican is not exactly realistic when it comes to current events.
Then why not condemn the attacks of Muslims on others.
Did the vatican make a statement about the Islamic terrorists who blew up the train in Indian, killing a couple hundred people?
Maybe they did, I don't know, it just seems to me that the world in general condemns attacks on Muslims, but not by Muslims.
If in fact the RC doctrine of papal infallibility is only for matters of faith, it would seem to me that you are merely guilty of having good sense.
Read a history book before you embarrass yourself. The Vatican "never has" "taken a hardline stance against islam"???? Give me a break. Ever hear of the crusades, or the battle of Lepanto? Maybe the reason they don't want Lebanon blown to smithereens is because of the CATHOLICS who live there in large numbers. But you apparently think that only Muslims live in the middle east.
The Vatican is an impotent as everyone else involved when it comes to fighting these Islamic basta*ds. Thank God, we have Bush in office. Can you imagine...what things would be like with Kerry or Gore... ?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.