Paris archbishop "shocked" by prayers for US victory in Iraq

Agence France-Presse (AFP) ^ | 4-14-03

[Oldeconomybuyer]

PARIS, April 14 (AFP) - Paris Archbishop Jean-Marie Lustiger was "shocked" by US President George W. Bush's calls for prayers for a US victory in the Iraq war.

"That a people in distress prays to God can be understood," the cardinal said on television late Sunday. "But for the United States, that shocks me."

Lustiger went on: "Bush is reacting like everyone reacts in these cases. He's getting people to pray for United States victory. I don't agree with this. The principle of this prayer is 'who's not for us is against us'," while "the principle of prayer for peace is to break the infernal circle of hatred."

[Oldeconomybuyer]

The international catholic church is enroute to irrelevance.

[goldstategop]

The Catholic Church is being overrun by lefties and pagans.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Who is Arch Bishop? Is he Joey's brother? I thought Joey was dead.

[ResistorSister]

I bet he isn't shocked by the prayer...he just wants to bitch because we won the war.

As long as Americans are fighting somewhere...we will continue to pray that they win the battles.

[sneakers]

" He's getting people to pray for United States victory."

Well DUH!! I certainly hope so!!

[goldstategop]

His Excellency has apparently never heard God Bless America.

[smith288]

"shocked"? It is hardly new for one side to pray to be victorious. Is it right? Who knows, and this Bishop doesn't appear to be any authority with his reaction. So I would tell him to stuff it.

[lsee]

The principle of this prayer is 'who's not for us is against us'

Matthew 12:30 "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters."

[Beck_isright]

Perhaps he's also "shocked" that us Americans are upset that priests rape children too.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Paris Archbishop Jean-Marie Lustiger was "shocked" by US President George W. Bush's calls for prayers for a US victory in the Iraq war

Well you do have to give him the fact that a French victory hasn't happened in his lifetime. They only get to see other people's victories. The Archbishop should have faith, a French victory could happen sometime in the future, allthough I don't see it in my lifetime.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Cardinal Lustiger was born in Paris in 1926, the son of Polish Jewish migrants. Aaron Lustiger celebrated his 13th birthday as war broke out. His father placed him in the care of a Catholic family and in 1940, aged 14, he converted to Catholicism.

http://www.cin.org/archives/cinjust/200108/0015.html

[magua]

the church is on the wrong side again. when we start poring over the files from the secret police the data should prove very interesting. good versus evil

[n1f2ns]

I guess it doesn't matter what your job is, as long as your french your a ba$tard.

[Tiger_eye]

Before y'all start your Catholic bashing for the day you should realize that there are 325,000 active duty Catholics in the US military, fully 30% of the military is Catholic. We have and always will do more than our share of fighting for this country. How much have the other denominations done?

[trebb]

That a people in distress prays to God can be understood

Right - I guess that means it's OK for the French to pray for a spine, gonads, courage, and maybe even some common sense, but we can't pray for the best outcome with the least bloodshed in something that needs to be done. IMHO the Catholic Church has concentrated too much on becoming the richest, most powerful institution it could and lost a little bit of the "Moral Clarity" that is supposed to accompany spirituality. I say this as "lapsed" Catholic who found God outside of organized religion...

[goldstategop]

I don't bash rank and file Catholics. Its their leaders that are failing in their duty to the flock by allowing the church to be subverted by Marxism and paganism.

[oldironsides]

I would be more impressed with this priest had he spoken out against the increase of violence and mistreatment of Jews in France.

[WestTexasWend]

I was wondering if he would've found it "shocking" that some Catholics sheltered Jews in WWII (and, dare I say, might have prayed for an Allied victory?), but I guess you've answered that...

[ResistorSister]

Historically, whenever the Pharisees have seen something Holy - they have felt the need to speak out against it.

Not only does God Bless America...there is a revival coming that will reach the people of this country and fill them with the power of the Holy Spirit. Only the revival will not be within the walls of any church, the revival is going to begin in the streets.

God does Bless America...and He will continue to Bless us...even during the darkest days.

[Centurion2000]

How much have the other denominations done?

Post your source for the 30% and we'll probably see a breakdown in military personnel by religion.