Pope in dramatic appeal to avert war

Yahoo News (Reuters) ^ | 9-23-01 | Philip Pullella

[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.

[Matchett-PI]

#32: "The world is NOT in a state of peace. We have lost 6,000 civilians in an act of war. There is no state of peace to be kept. I can't beleive that he said this."

Exactly! I didn't see your post before I said almost the same thing in my reply #34. :) BTTT

[He Rides A White Horse]

I don't think war is avoidable, the die has been cast.

I wouldn't call his statement an expression of solidarity with the terrorists, however.

[Iowegian]

OK, you're a pragmatic Protestant.

[He Rides A White Horse]

No flames Iowegian, but what I'm trying to say is that he is in all likelihood trying to be extremely careful about what he says, which I can understand even if I don't agree with him. That's all.

[Iowegian]

He's wrong and any right-minded Catholic knows it.

It's good to know we have some of those here on FR, you may one of the few I've seen here.

[ex-snook]

The Pope defeated Russia without a single shot.

[sinkspur]

Jesus would not have stood silent about the persecution of millions of Christians in the Phillipines, Indonesia, Molluccas, Pakistan, Lebanon, Syria, Nigeria, Sudan, Egypt, Armenia, The Balkans, and dozens of other places.

How do you know?

When Jesus was about to be arrested, Peter drew a sword and cut off the ear of the chief priest.

Jesus chided him for drawing the sword.

Jesus told His followers to expect and accept persecution "in His name."

Jesus' mission was not an earthly one.

Ours is. We must protect our country and our selves.

We are fighting terrorism in order to restore peace.

I suspect we can count on the help of God to the extent that we stick to our mission.

[Iowegian]

...but what I'm trying to say is that he is in all likelihood trying to be extremely careful about what he says.

Obviously, and I hope (but doubt) that he can get through to the Moslems with this message.

[lawgirl]

Popey, we have the right to retaliate.

[esther2]

I'm starting to remember why I left the Catholic Church 20 years ago. I'd forgotten--actually thought about going back. Not anymore.

[don-o]

pI pray for the Pope's peace of mind. And for the safety of the world. And -- in a slight modification of the Pope's prayer -- that God intervene with so-called "good Moslems" to restrain their insane brethren.

I have had the same thoughts and prayers.

Namely, that someone in the terorist network will get a pang of conscience, and flip.

As a Christian, I must reject that any human being is outside the possibility of repentance.

PRAY

wwfsd

[sinkspur]

If he is speaking to only the Moslems in the Middle East, his statements have some merit, but to say that all conflicts must be resolved by negotiations is wrong-headed.

Most conflicts involve negotiation. This one won't.

The Pope has condemned terrorism, but it is unrealistic to expect a world religious leader to choose up sides.

[cdw19390]

He better get and infusion of OLD POPE Blood! He needs the 1095 vintage or we will all be wearing towels and smelling the a$$ of the camel jockey sublime in front of us on Fridays. Camel jockey sabeth!

[cdw19390]

He better get and infusion of OLD POPE Blood! He needs the 1095 vintage or we will all be wearing towels and smelling the a$$ of the camel jockey sublime in front of us on Fridays. Camel jockey sabeth!