[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.

[mosby]

MY position's lame??!! The USSR fell because Ronald Reagan built up American military strength to the point where the USSR knew it couldn't compete and capitulated. Are you seriosly suggesting that mindless inanities uttered by the Pope had anything whatsover to do with the fall of the USSR?

[kstewskis]

That's good to hear that someone is doing it right. I am constantly amazed at those who overlook the evils of what Saddam has been doing for years, and so quick to judge (wrongly imho) our reaction to it.

In all fairness, we have also been praying for the safety and support of our troops, and their safe return. Even the same nun made it a special point to say a special Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be for them after The Stations of The Cross last Friday.

Thank goodness, there are some of us parishoners that try to hold the "conservative" line there. Otherwise, I'd be out of there a long time ago.

[Notwithstanding]

No, actually his perspective is (RIGHTLY so, given his vocation) universal - something that staunch nationalists might have trouble seeing.

USA: 0.28 billion people
World: 6.20 billion people

(Note: broaden your myopic horizons)

[kstewskis]

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.

Great, thanks AB! I will add these to the "daily reads."

[Notwithstanding]

Your position is lame.

The pope cautioned against war back then, and was right.
Its Reagan's folks who point to the crucial role the pope played in the liberation of the soviet "empire".

[Iowegian]

No, I prefer: There is one way to the Father (God), through Jesus. The message of Christ crucified and our redemption through God's grace. Not universalist weasal words.

[mosby]

The suggestion that the Pope played any meaningfull role in the fall of the Soviet empire is truly one of the more absurd concepts posted on a FR thread in the last few weeks. 100% completely irrelevant. The religous entity which might justifiably claim a role is the religous right in America which supported Reagan whole-heartedly and at all times pushed for a hard line against the Soviets. A role which had been remarkably understated by historians.

[Notwithstanding]

Well, if that is all you ever say to people you are doing a disservice to God.

When you evangelize (do you ever do that?) do you first try to make friends with the person so they would have some reason to listen to what you plan to say? If so, then you are just like the pope: you find something in common before laying the Truth on them.

Why you pretend that doing so is so sinister is baffling.

What motivates such an uncharitable attitude? It is a sin to presume immoral intentions in your neighbor.

[Iowegian]

So you give the UN the ultimate legitimatacy to determine what a just war is, as the Pope has? Why is it only the USA must ask the UN of it is OK to go to war. No other country has ever aske the UN to give their OK, and they (the UN) turn a blind eye when they do so. The UN is the same groug that is for universal abortion on demand to contro population. Why does the Pope seek to give them this legitimacy?

[Notwithstanding]

You don't read much, do you? (no need to answer)

CIA director Casey is the one who made it clear how HUGE the pope's role was in the downfall of the USSR.

[Iowegian]

Well, if that is all you ever say to people you are doing a disservice to God.

It is the gospel of Christ, I am not ashamed of it. It is the power of God to bring about salvation.

[Notwithstanding]

Please re-read your own post.

The USA invented abortion on demand (you raised the issue). Thus there is no reason to presume our sovereign judgment is holy and worthy of honor.

I happen to think W is right. But I respect the Pope's choice to think otherwise.

You are only mad because you know how influential the pope is.

[Notwithstanding]

Well, you must LOVE first. People cannot understand that you speak in LOVE unless they have reason to see LOVE in your actions.

That is why screaming the gospel at people is not effective.

But feeding someone who is hungry (for example) often leads to their listening to the Word and converting.

It is an act of love and truth to let someone know they already have part of God's truth - as a preparation to showing them the rest of the Truth.

[Nov3]

When she said that, I wanted to rip her head off.

Yeah Right. I believe that.

[Notwithstanding]

And it is GOD who says that if we have the truth but have not love then we really have nothing.

This is even more true when we evangelize.

We must FIRST cultivate the heart of the listener so that the seeds of truth will take root when sewn.

[battousai]

The pope is doing what he must, can you imagine what the muslim fanatics would do if the leader of the largest group of Christians wholeheartedly came out in favor of this war?

Do not forget that there are many Christians in the Arab world, they are not well treated as is, it would be a lot worse for them if the islamic nut jobs decided to get even nastier.

Have you all forgotten already what it was that Jesus taught? Turn the other cheek! All the pope is saying is that peace is better than war, is there anything wrong with this?

This was the same way in which Pope Pius saved hundreds of thousands of jews during WWII. Coming out openly against Hitler would have served no purpose. (Of course despite historical facts there are those who still go on about the pope doing nothing during WWII)

We are in this war to bring peace. The leftists, as they do with the bible, will pick and choose what they want or twist things to their needs.

Finally for laz17:

Matthew 16
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

That is Jesus appointing the first pope.

No matter the human frailties of those in the church, the holy spirit guides her and will never abandon her.

[Notwithstanding]

When you evangelize (do you ever do that?) do you first try to make friends with the person so they would have some reason to listen to what you plan to say?

If so, then you are just like the pope: you find something in common before laying the Truth on them.

I bet you and the pope are peas in a pod. You just have trouble admitting it because you now have to admit that you are being unjustly harsh in judging him.

[Iowegian]

You avoided that question too. Why does the Pope seek to legitimize the UN as the body that determines, by a security council vote, who can go to war? Simple question. I await your straight answer.

[Notwithstanding]

You and the pope both lay some groundwork prior to preachingthe gospel when evangelizing, don't you?

Its what efective evangelists do. You are effective, aren't you?

You're a papal copycat, aren't you!

[Kevin Curry]

Your position is now clear: all brutal regimes on the globe are now to be overthrown by US Armed Forces

I don't believe that's his position at all. We tackle what we can tackle, when the reason is compelling. We fight fairly and humanely and seek to liberate people who have been imprisoned by unspeakable evil. We will not occupy Iraq, but will leave it to be self-governed.

The question is, why is the Pope opposed to this?