US, Backers Responsible Before God on Iraq - Vatican

Reuters | 3/18/03

[kattracks]

March 18

— VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - The Vatican said Tuesday that countries which decided to wage war on Iraq without the consensus of the international community were assuming great responsibility before God and history.

"Those who decide that all peaceful means that international law makes available are exhausted assume a grave responsibility before God, their conscience and history," said Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls.

Navarro-Valls comment was the Vatican's first official reaction to Washington's ultimatum to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to go into exile within 48 hours or face war.

[Bluntpoint]

"That same international comunnity ( the UN) thinks ABORTION is OK"

To the U.N., to add more legitamacy to abortionists is to require them to wear blue helments.

[sd-joe]

"Don't you know we are supposed to kneel in the direction of the UN building every day and pray to Kofi Annan? Their words are the infallible voice of God."

You know what's scary. It is the Vatican that seems to be making this position.

[Bluntpoint]

"Blessed are the peacemakers" for they gorge on cheese and slurp snails.

[jwalsh07]

What was the Vatican doing about the "Jewish" problem in Germany before and during WWII???????

This is a ridiculous argument. Want to know how ridiculous?

What did the US do at that time?

What did we do when while Pol Pot was turning Cambodia into the killing fields?

What did we do during the Rwanda massacre?

What did we do when Hussein was exterminating Kurds?

Is Jimmy Carter a Catholic?

I'm a Catholic and I think the Pope is wrong regarding Iraq. The Vatican is wrong here but there is plenty of wrong to go around.

[cyncooper]

The Pope's comment is fair and just:

I agree and am appalled at some comments here.

Really leaping and bounding to extropolate from the pronouncement something that is not there.

The Pope is right:

"Those who decide that all peaceful means that international law makes available are exhausted assume a grave responsibility before God, their conscience and history,"

What, pray tell, are people arguing with? This statement is true and the statement does NOT say those assuming this responsibility are wrong.

[merak]

"Those who decide that all peaceful means that international law makes available are exhausted assume a grave responsibility before God, their conscience and history," said Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls.

If you accept the view that catholicism is basically just the religion of ancient Babylon with a smattering of Christianity thrown in to confuse the masses, then you can almost see what the Pope might hope get out of it: Saddam was going to rebuild Babylon.

[cyncooper]

If you accept the view that catholicism is basically just the religion of ancient Babylon with a smattering of Christianity thrown in to confuse the masses,

Did you ponder these profound words long and hard?

Does your head hurt?

[Bluntpoint]

There are plenty of dictators in the world. However, today, we are focusing on Saddam.

Today, on this thread, we are focusing on the words of the Pope.

There is always room for another thread. Start one on the Methodists or Lutherans if you like.

[Cap'n Crunch]

I think perhaps we have some scales of our own to shake off.

I don't believe we hold any moral high ground. I've seen the pictures of the gassed victims of Iraq. I've also noted the 30 year milestone we've reached in this country with legal abortion.

I've also noted how we've helped create people like Sadaam Hussein around the globe.

I've also noted our selective outrage when people are being murdered around the globe.

Onward Christian soldiers.

[cyncooper]

In fact, my parish priest is pro-war, and says this war is just.

So does mine. But I think you are in error to conclude that the Pope is against this war.

[Orbiting_Rosie's_Head]

So the UN is the voice of God on earth now, is it?

[Bluntpoint]

The Popes silence is deafening on the morality of France and Germany supporting Iraq and its dictator.

[Cap'n Crunch]

Yes, and we've helpfully nudged China and North Korea now too. Maybe one of these days they'll helpfully nudge as back.

[cyncooper]

Commenting on the horse's ass comments coming from the Vatican does not make one a nazi.

I see horse's ass comments coming, but not from the Vatican.

[jwalsh07]

There is always room for another thread. Start one on the Methodists or Lutherans if you like

The truth get in your way?

I'm uninterested in bashing religion, whichever one you may choose.

[Cap'n Crunch]

Didn't the United States of America say they were going to protect the Kurds during Gulf 1?

Guess we forgot about that part in our victory celebration. But, what the heck, the way I understand it, they are undesireables too.

[Bluntpoint]

Global politics is not an exact science. Every move has risks. Even the morally vain and empty route of doing nothing has consequences.

[laz17]

I just read the statement from the Vatican again, and it just makes my blood run cold. They are not making a generic statement that all people are held accountable by God for their actions. What they're saying is very clearly:

"Bush and Blair, you have chosen to defy the will of the United Nations and world opinion, and for that God will punish you."

THIS is what they're saying, bottom line, without any parsing. Cut through the diplo-speak, and it's very clear that's their message. And it's despicable. It's obscene. And as I said, it makes my blood run cold.