Posted on 09/23/2001 3:34:26 PM PDT by Iowegian
Pope John Paul has issued a dramatic appeal that the world not be allowed to slide into war following attacks on the United States and urged against a deepening of religious divisions.
"With all my heart I beg God to keep the world in peace," the Pope said on Sunday at the end of a mass for some 50,000 people on the first full day of his visit to Kazakhstan, a Central Asian republic which may be caught up in an eventual regional crisis.
"We must not let what happened lead to a deepening of divisions. Religion must never be used as a reason for conflict," he said, referring to tensions with some parts of the Islamic world following the attacks in New York and Washington.(snip)
NEGOTIATIONS, NOT WAR
On arrival in Kazakhstan on Saturday, Pope John Paul said all controversies between nations must be resolved by negotiations and dialogue, not force of arms.
The Pope, who aides say is losing sleep over the possibility of war, celebrated a mass that began with a stiff wind blowing in from Siberia over the flat steppes and ended in sunshine.
| 17. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that [is] unprofitable for you. |
| 17. Obey them, etc. I doubt not but that he speaks of pastors and other rulers of the Church, for there were then no Christian magistrates; and what follows, for they watch for your souls, properly belongs to spiritual government. He commands first obedience and then honor to be rendered to them.F276 These two things are necessarily required, so that the people might have confidence in their pastors, and also reverence for them. But it ought at the same time to be noticed that the Apostle speaks only of those who faithfully performed their office; for they who have nothing but the title, nay, who use the title of pastors for the purpose of destroying the Church, deserve but little reverence and still less confidence. And this also is what the Apostle plainly sets forth when he says, that they watched for their souls, — a duty which is not performed but by those who are faithful rulers, and are really what they are called. Doubly foolish, then, are the Papists, who from these words confirm the tyranny of their own idol: “The Spirit bids us obediently to receive the doctrine of godly and faithful bishops, and to obey their wholesome counsels; he bids us also to honor them.” But how does this favor mere apes of bishops? And yet not only such are all those who are bishops under the Papacy, but they are cruel murderers of souls and rapacious wolves. But to pass by a description of them, this only will I say at present, that when we are bidden to obey our pastors, we ought carefully and wisely to find out those who are true and faithful rulers; for if we render this honor to all indiscriminately, first, a wrong will be done to the good; and secondly, the reason here added, to honor them because they watch for souls, will be rendered nugatory. In order, therefore, that the Pope and those who belong to him may derive support from this passage, they must all of necessity first prove that they are of the number of those who watch for our salvation. If this be made evident, there will then be no question but that they ought to be reverently treated by all the godly.F277 For they watch, etc. His meaning is, that the heavier the burden they bear, the more honor they deserve; for the more labor anyone undertakes for our sake, and the more difficulty and danger he incurs for us, the greater are our obligations to him. And such is the office of bishops, that it involves the greatest labor and the greatest danger; if, then, we wish to be grateful, we can hardly render to them that which is due; and especially, as they are to give an account of us to God, it would be disgraceful for us to make no account of them.F278 He further reminds us in what great a concern their labor may avail us, for, if the salvation of our souls be precious to us, they ought by no means to be deemed of no account who watch for it. He also bids us to be teachable and ready to obey, that what pastors do in consequence of what their office demands, they may also willingly and joyfully do; for, if they have their minds restrained by grief or weariness, though they may be sincere and faithful, they will yet become disheartened and careless, for vigor in acting will fail at the same time with their cheerfulness. Hence the Apostle declares, that it would be unprofitable to the people to cause sorrow and mourning to their pastors by their ingratitude; and he did this, that he might intimate to us that we cannot be troublesome or disobedient to our pastors without hazarding our own salvation. As hardly one in ten considers this, it is hence evident how great generally is the neglect of salvation; nor is it a wonder how few at this day are found who strenuously watch over the Church of God. For besides, there are very few who are like Paul, who have their mouth open when the people’s ears are closed, and who enlarge their own heart when the heart of the people is straitened. The Lord also punishes the ingratitude which everywhere prevails. Let us then remember that we are suffering the punishment of our own perverseness, whenever the pastors grow cold in their duty, or are less diligent than they ought to be. |
I think we have a well meaning, good man, who doesn't have a clue!
He utters meaningless *pious platitudes*---
As a Catholic--I pray he will resign soon!!!
That said, I'm all for getting the terrorists because I think in the end it will save lives around the world. I'm hoping and praying that we can get them by cutting off their money and supplies and putting them in jail and assassinating them in surgical strikes rather than all out war. In the meantime, I'm praying for victory and peace.
All kidding aside, I always enjoyed this passage. Very profound.
This is exactly the point I was trying to make. Yes, the individual books were around, but the Church (which, of course, was the only churhc around at the time) put it all together after much study and prayer. Since they were able to put it all together, I would say they should have the last word on it.
Oh? Have you heard somewhere that the Taliban is repsonsible for the attack on the 11th?
Be made an example of what, I wonder? The inevitable fate of former allies and beneficiaries of money, arms and training? Or perhaps examples of the ease with which American citizens can be taught to hate people of whom they knew nothing last month?
Don't tell me--you used the Cliff's Notes for that test on Moby Dick, didn't you?
By the way did you know that the head of the Reuters news service has announced that the word "terrorist" will no longer be allowed in news dispatches? He argues, correctly I think, that one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter.
The point is there is no such thing as "raw news". Everything is filtered; filtered through lenses over which we have no control and of whose motivations we know nothing. And reporting upon Papal statements, teachings, ect is among the most filtered news around....
Typical of most Catholics here on FR. That's also why you're afraid to explore the links I provided (all of which are to 100% loyal and orthodox Catholic sites).
But the important main thing is, we don't have "Conservative" hanging around here making remarks about "Cletus," do we?
I have my own relationship with God, I do not need an intermiediary
He only preaches to good countries and expects us to do the "can't we all get along/" thing.
While I appreciate his prayers, his opinion to me, is insignificant compared to my country's safety.
He should talk to Sudan, Syria, and all those that enslave and destroy humanity, not us.
You asked Catholics what they think. I know what I, a Traditional Catholic, thinks. It is simply this: The Pope never consecrated Russia to the Blessed Mother's Immaculate Heart, as per her request. This is not being done because it might "offend" Russia. Instead this Pope consecrated "the world." Even Sr. Lucy, one of the Fatima visionaries, says that Our Lady's specific request was not carried out.
I would beg this Pope to obey this simple request, in union with all the Bishops of the world, if he truly wishes to see an end to these horrendous attacks.
This is not a shocking revelation. He is against our death penalty. Being a humanistic sort and not a Christian I can understand why he comes out with this rubbish. He also spoke on behlaf of Timothy McVeigh to spare his life. He always favors life for despicable people and their acts. He just doesn't get it.
Thankfully people exposed to the Bible move away from Catholicism. Third world type countries embrace it but give them time and knowledge and they'll abandon it too. Just give em a Bible and they'll flee it too.
In short the pope has no influence over me and his advice it typically the opposite of what the Bible says since he is spiritually discerned.
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