[doosee]

The Catholic bashing on this thread is repulsive. The Pope is simply saying that we have a responsibility to avoid killing of innocents in Iraq to the extent we can. What is wrong with that since it is official administration and military policy? People are taking a reasonable comment and turning it into a We love Saddam message. Get real.

[Bluntpoint]

And he called Saddam a ruthless, Godless murderer when?

[TimPatriot]

Sounds like judgemental talk coming from the Vatican to me. Anyone looking at this objectively could not conclude that we are acting without international consensus already having been reached. Look at unanimous agreement on UN1441 and what that resolution says. I have to wonder what is behind the bizarre stance of the church leadership, are the French pulling strings? Have they made some kind of deal with someone?

[ishmac]

Agreed. The Pope's opposition to the war is not nearly as categorical as the media have potrayed it. He has repeatedly emphasized Iraq's obligation to fully comply with the orders to disarm. This is nearly always overlooked in the press.

It grates to watch people who don't give a damn about the Holy Father trot out the Pope's words as if he were always their staunch ally.

When the media characterizes papal statements they are almost infallibly wrong.

[FITZ]

The Catholic bashing on this thread is repulsive. The Pope is simply saying that we have a responsibility to avoid killing of innocents in Iraq to the extent we can.

I'm a mass attending Catholic ---but I the Pope isn't infallible on politcal matters. Catholics are not being bashed here, I don't feel bashed but the hierarchy might be getting bashed and sometimes they need to be. The US will avoid killing innocents in Iraq ---I'm quite certain of that.

[FITZ]

without the consensus of the international community

And I don't care if the Pope himself says we must have one big global government, I cannot support him on that. Are you saying we must now be dictated by the UN because someone in the Church says so? What is "international community"? I'm not part of it.

[GraniteStateConservative]

The problem is the Pope hasn't spent half the time condemning Hussein and his regime and talking about the importance of protecting free will-- a gift given to us from God himself-- that he has spent condemning us for fighting an illegal war.

This is like those liberal losers like Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks who say they support the troops, but oppose the war and oppose the commander in chief. No one seriously believes they support the troops. They only say it because it gives them cover to hate the military.

[Eastbound]

If I remember correctly, every member-nation signed off on this with Res. 1441. Each one of them put their bullet in the magazine with that signature. Why admonish the U.S. just because it is the only nation with enough courage to step up and pull the trigger? Did the rest of the world think this was just one big war game and nobody was really going to be killed?

How predictable that we should see these micro-managing 'admonishments' and words of caution by side-liners who should be on the battlefield -- acting as if they were spectators and unaccountable.

[F16Fighter]

"The Pope is simply saying that we have a responsibility to avoid killing of innocents in Iraq to the extent we can."

Kindly provide ANY evidence to the affect that President Bush or ANYONE in his administration has EVER advocated the careless, indiscriminate slaughter of Iraqi civilians....

On the contrary, Dubya has admitted to himself praying for guidance to the Almighty to do the righteous thing -- UNLESS somehow you and the Vatican don't believe his prayers are quite good enough to be listened to...

And BTW, don't ask me to check with the Pope before defending my family OR country against intruders, rapists, or murderers.