This is the Church's position:
"The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; they profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 841, quoting from Vatican Council II, Lumen Gentium, 16)
That's in the Catechism. That is what I meant when I said that "the Church has spoken on the subject." I'm not talking about the Pope's prudential judgement.
And, as to Zarqawi, do you really perceive him to be some sort of Iraqi, maquis-like figure defending his country against the imperialist aggressor? Need I remind you of the theicide being perpetuated in Sudan and the daily massacres of Christians in Pakistan, Indonesia, The Philippines and elsewhere. If you would care to send me your essay on the topic, I'll gladly critique it. No, my friend, Zarqawi and his ilk have already proffered you the option. A mihrab or a coffin. You choose.
You seem to believe that I'm unaware of the dangers posed by Islamic fundamentalism. Furthermore, I don't know where you obtained the idea that I think Zarqawi is some sort of patriot. I'm fully aware that he is a murdering cut-throat and that he represents a violent Islamic sub-sect.
What I do contest is the idea that invading Iraq furthers the cause of the fight against Islamic fundamentalism. I consider it totally within the realms of possibility that when all is said and done an Islamic regime will govern Iraq, that it will be far more anti-western and pro-terrorist than Hussein ever was and that the Iraqi Christians will have been either exterminated or exiled.
I'm not minimising the dangers posed by radical Islam. I am questioning the idea the invading Iraq is the correct way to combat it. Am I making myself clear?
>> "The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; they profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 841, quoting from Vatican Council II, Lumen Gentium, 16) <<
Note a key phrase in there...they profess to hold. Do you think that slipped in accidentally? If so, then read a whole plethora of prior Magisterial pronouncements.
>> Zarqawi
represents a violent Islamic sub-sect. <<
Agreed (almost). He represents a particularly repugnant subset of a sect that is rooted in the sword and was born of violence Islam.
>> Am I making myself clear? <<
Well, clearer than your first two posts but clarity is no substitute for either accuracy or truth.
That said, I think we should both draw a line under our exchanges here. We are in danger of dragging the thread even further away from the original post. Feel free to have the last word if you need but, better still, you are welcome to pursue it off-post.