[AP Gets it WRONG] Pope Urges Respect for International Law [did NOT "endorse peace movement"]

Zenit ^ | 3-25-2003 | staff

[Notwithstanding]

John Paul II rejected recourse to war as a means to resolve differences -- with the exception of legitimate defense -- and urged respect for humanitarian law in armed conflicts.

"It is precisely when arms are unleashed, that the need becomes imperative for laws that make military operations less inhuman," the Pope said in a message sent to a course for military chaplains, organized by the Holy See in Rome. The course runs today and Wednesday.

The Holy Father's words came at a crucial moment in the development of events in the Anglo-American military operations in Iraq.

The course of formation in humanitarian law, organized jointly by the Congregation for Bishops and the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, is being attended by 41 chaplains from all over the world.

The course has been in preparation since 1999, in keeping with the commitment assumed that year by the Holy See during the 37th International Conference of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent.

In his message, the Pope said the principles that constitute international humanitarian law today have been able "to develop thanks to the maturation of principles inherent to the Christian message," particularly the appreciation of the dignity of the human person.

These principles teach that "even in the hardest of battles, it is always possible and, therefore, a duty to respect the dignity of the military adversary, the dignity of civilians, and the indelible dignity of each human being involved in armed conflicts."

"In this way, reconciliation necessary for the re-establishment of peace after the conflict is favored," he added, defending humanitarian law not just as "a juridical code, but above all as an ethical code."

After mentioning the "difficult hour of history, when the world finds itself once again hearing the clash of arms," John Paul II said: "thinking of the victims, the destruction, and the suffering caused by armed conflicts always causes great concern and pain."

"It should be clear by now that war used as an instrument of resolution of conflicts between states was rejected, even before the Charter of the United Nations, by the conscience of the majority of humanity, except in the case of defense against an aggressor," the Pope stressed.

"The vast contemporary movement in favor of peace -- which, according to Vatican Council II, is not reduced to a 'simple absence of war' -- demonstrated this conviction of men of every continent and culture," he added.

In this connection, the Holy Father said that "the strength of different religions in sustaining the search for peace is a reason for comfort and hope."

"In our view of faith, peace, even if it is the result of political accords and understanding among individuals and peoples, is a gift from God that we must constantly invoke with prayer and penance," he said. "Without a conversion of heart, there is no peace! Peace is only achieved through love!"

"Right now we are all asked to work and pray so that war disappears from the horizon of humanity," he concluded.

[Notwithstanding]

Your position is now clear: all brutal regimes on the globe are now to be overthrown by US Armed Forces, unless the pope can figure out how to do so without resorting to armed conflict.

Your argument would have police raid every home upon suspicion that something bad might be going on inside.

[Notwithstanding]

Where in the bible does it say the pope is the anti-christ?

Where in the bible does it say that the bible is the one source of Truth?

(Save time - the bible does not contain any such passages)

[Iowegian]

You didn't answer the question. So what is your answer? Iraq is not "important enough" to care about or if this was say, Poland, would the Pope then care about their freedom?

I still say the Pope's rhetoric is exactly the same as those leftist protesters: "War never solves anything.

Except ending communism, fascism, nazism, etc.

[Notwithstanding]

Given a choice between honoring the pope or honoring Christ, you choose to slander the pope.

[Constantine XIII]

Nonetheless, if it isn't in the Bible, or passed by Congress and signed by a President, it isn't any law for me!!! :O)

[kstewskis]

Unfortunately, there's nothing uncharacteristic about it. There's a contingent here ready and eager to believe anything evil, no matter how wrong or even preposterous, about the Church. They slurp up the bile from the leftist, anti-Christian (and in particular anti-Catholic) press like a dog returning to its vomit. (Obligatory Biblical reference... )

....like falling for it "hook, line, and stinker".

I had made a comment on a previous thread (which I now would like to retract, blasting The Church) about this subject. I jumped the gun only because those in my own parish (the pastor and nun) have made "cracks" about Bush and how he needs to learn what peace is. It happened as early as last night, and I'm still seething over it (the comment didn't go over well when it was spoken to our small group meeting).

I wanted to scream at them, "when are you going to pray for SADDAM to stop his evil ways, instead of bashing Bush?"

After "sobering up" from the anger after hearing crap like that from the "leaders" of my own parish, one (especially those of us who are still apprentice Catholics) begin to realize that comments like that are not consistent with The Church as a whole, it's history, nor with this Pope.

Only reinforces the fact that I need to find a new parish too.

Thanks for posting this article and much needed clarification.

[Notwithstanding]

Curiously, you show yourself to think you have all the answers to the world's problems, and are mad that the pope will not compromise his principals.

The pope never advocated armed overthrow of Poland (despite his obvisou yearning that it be freed from Soviet tyranny) - and gee wiz - the USSR was defeated without a single NATO soldier being sent in, and without any armed revolution.

[Iowegian]

You still haven't answered the question, but rather avoided it. I'll try a different question. Where in this statement does the Pope state anything negative about Saddam and his regime? I see none. But I do see this one:

The Holy Father highlighted "the strength of different religions in sustaining the search for peace is a reason for comfort and hope.

Is he now a universalist or a Christian evangelist. Doesn't sound like an evangelical statement to me. No quite the contrary. Sounds more like "all roads lead to Rome", rather than "I am the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father except through me".

[ArrogantBustard]

I've added Zenit News Agency (www.zenit.org) and Catholic World New (www.CWNews.com) to my list of must-read websites. They reveal just how corrupt and dishonest the secular press really is.

[Notwithstanding]

For some reason you wish to dictate the pope's daily activities.

The pope was addressing Catholic military chaplains from around the world - not the US public.

Your problem: you forget that the pope is the pastor of the Universal Church - not the pastor of the USA.

Funny - his view is not USA-centric!

[Notwithstanding]

The pope acknowledges God's truth wherever it manifests itself. Whereas you would rather bitch that ALL of His truth is not present.

The evangelist first connects with the person, and THEN proclaims Christ.

BTW, if you ACTUALLY read his full remarks, you would KNOW that he ALWAYS preaches Christ.

As mentioned earlier, you fall for the liberal media spin that always pulls out partial quotes and never the full text.

You should pray when you have your particular judgment that you won't be quoted out of context and spun.

[Chi-townChief]

My local parish has been surprisingly good during all this! The peace vigil was mostly prayers for loved ones who were in the military and included petitions for Saddam to "just leave" as one lady put it and also for the world to awaken to the evils of the Iraqi government.

[Iowegian]

He doesn't live in the real world, he lives in fantasyland. Where everything is peace and love and understanding and everyone wears flowers in their hair and any conflict can be resolved if we would just sit down and talk about it. (Funny how that doesn't work with dictators like Saddam). Based on his rhetoric, he sounds more like a hippy than a minister. Or maybe he watches Star Trek too much.

[Iowegian]

Funny - his view is not USA-centric!

I agree, he's Euro-socialist-centric.

[mosby]

Garbage. Don't be condescending. We've read what the Pope has said. We've read direct quotes. The man was worthy once, but of late his statements read precisely like an editorial in a college newspaper. Sanctimonious pieties about peace and shallow meanderings about the evil of war. Of no value whatsoever. Fluff. Embarassing. Useless drivel.

[Fiddlstix]

Bump

[Iowegian]

As mentioned earlier, you fall for the liberal media spin that always pulls out partial quotes and never the full text.

On the contrary, I get this from the full text of the gobbledeeguck that you posted.

[Notwithstanding]

Your position is lame: The USSR fell with no war.

[Notwithstanding]

Its official: your method of evangalization is to yell "sinner, sinner - my God's better than yours".

What an ambassador for Christ you must be!

[Desdemona]

[big sigh]

Yet another example of why actual church teaching should be taught. The pope is absolutely correct and recognizes that sometimes peace can only be achieved with military force and we on the sidelines do have to pray for the end of the conflict. It is our obligation.

Now, if some numbskull priests and sisters I know would just apply the logic. Although, in my parish it hasn't been bad. Just praying for wisdom.