[sinkspur]

An American Catholic bishop has forbidden his flock from participating or cooperating in military action against Iraq, under pain of mortal sin.

He can't do this. No prelate can suddenly declare something to be a "mortal sin." He especially cannot declare a morally neutral action such as fighting for one's country to be sinful at all. German soldiers were not guilty of sin for fighting for Hitler.

This bishop (to borrow a Richard Pryor phrase) "is crazy"!

[Carolinamom]

I once had a class with a college professor, who was also a Presbyterian minister. He had told the class that he had been the youngest bomber pilot in WWII.

At a coffee break, I asked him how he reconciled his religious calling with killing during the war. He paused, chuckled, then replied that he had used Martin Luther's words, "I sin bravely."

[Gophack]

I think you are correct. From everything I have heard from priests and theologians on Catholic radio, the Pope has not spoken infallibly on the justness or unjustness of this war, and individual Catholics can make independent judgements on this matter provided that we listen to the Vatican and give weight to their concerns.

I, personally, think that the Pope is very concerned about the fate of Christians world-wide at the hands of Muslems and terrorists when we go to war with Iraq, and very well he should be. Hundreds of thousands of Christians are being martyred, dying for their faith, throughout the world. We think we have it hard here in American because the press ridicules us and selectively reports on Catholic concerns (we're right wing nuts because we oppose abortion, but we're great when we oppose a war).

Before anyone condemns or criticizes the Pope's concerns, I think we should all examine our consciences and pray long and hard for the Christians who will undoubtable be slaughtered for the SOLE REASON THEY ARE CHRISTIANS. This happens daily, but we are not given the information by our secular press.

I think I understand the Pope's concerns and I think they are justified. HOWEVER, I do think that if America does nothing to stop Saddam Hussein from funding and supporting terrorism, far more will be at stake. I have thought long and hard about this, and have tried to pray on it, and I do think that America action is justified under the just war doctrine. I think that every avenue of diplomacy has been exhausted, and I trust President Bush that he knows more than we, the people, know in this situation.

But I will not criticize the Pope, or anyone who has through prayer and discernment feels like the war is NOT justified. But as a practicing Catholic, I do believe I can make an independent decision in this matter and I support the President, America and our troops.

God bless.