Pope wants new international order to keep peace

Reuters | January 1, 2004 | Claire Soares

[HAL9000]

VATICAN CITY, Jan 1 (Reuters) - The world needs a "new international order" to solve its conflicts and ensure peace, Pope John Paul said in his New Year's Day address on Thursday.

The ghosts of 2003 -- when the United States invaded Iraq without United Nations approval -- dominated the pope's first speech of 2004.

"More than ever we need a new international order which draws on the experience and results of the United Nations," the 83-year-old pontiff said at a mass in St Peter's Basilica.

"An order which is capable of finding adequate solutions to today's problems, based on the dignity of human beings, on integrating all society, on solidarity between rich and poor countries, on the sharing of resources and the extraordinary results of scientific and technological progress," he added.

Speaking at Christendom's largest church, the pope urged people not to lose hope of finding peace in the Holy Land, which the Vatican feels is vital to winning the war on terror.

"The land in which Jesus was born sadly continues to live in a dramatic condition. And in other parts of the world sparks of violence and conflict have not been extinguished either. But we need to persevere and not bow to the temptation of losing hope."

Turning to Africa, the pope paid tribute to his Burundi ambassador, Michael Courtney, killed on Monday in an ambush the army has blamed on rebels who have refused to join a peace process to end a 10-year conflict.

"(He) was tragically killed...while he was going about his mission of promoting dialogue and reconciliation. We pray for him and hope his example and sacrifice will bear the fruits of peace in Burundi and the world," the pope said.

The leader of the world's one billion Catholics, who suffers from Parkinson's disease that makes it difficult for him to talk, seemed alert and read all of his homily in a clear voice.

But it is unclear what 2004 holds for him. For the first time since his election in 1978, the pope enters the new year with no firm plans for travel, although there have been some invitations.

He was particularly weak on his last foreign trip, a visit to Slovakia in September, when aides had to read most of his addresses for him.

[BlackElk]

Way to go! Apologies for not having pinged you.

[Publius6961]

Having Bethlehem draped in posters of Arafat during Christmas was the last straw.

For the first time in memory, no images of Bethlehem, no images of Holy Night. No broadcast of Midnight Mass on our major networks.
The animals have been allowed to take over the Holy places, for political and incomprehensible PC reasons. And I don't mean the warm fuzzy animals.

[sinkspur]

Two different words sink - motive versus justification.

Yes. You yourself acknowledged that that neither provides any sanction for terrorism.

I have no trouble understanding you.

[sinkspur]

I think the Pope just said the UN was history. but what alarmed me was the alliance of rich and poor countries and the "sharing" of resources.

It's the UN by another name.

[Publius6961]

My mother taught me, "Mindless is as mindless does."

[G.Mason]

"My Korean neighbor is always picking up strays."

My Korean neighbor was found floating in Lake Tsala Apopka.

Several suspect dogs were questioned, but released.

[BlackElk]

I look forward to joining you on the barricades in a surely successful effort if the UN or any other internationalist operation tries to tax us for international welfare. Voluntary charity is a virtue. One reason is that it is voluntary. Compelled charity lacks moral merit. Thanks for your post.

[reed_inthe_wind]

"the Pope...has STILL not expressed public gratitude to God for the liberation of the Iraqi people from a mass murderer."

You bring up an interesting point - although I don't know how you can assure anyone that this is true. Public gratitude to God can be expressed as part of a Mass during the Intercessory Prayers.

Secondly, the best time for this statement might be upon the inauguration of the new government.

[Bluntpoint]

By Black elk

Post on any thread about the Vatican.

[ODDITHER]

Let's see - if History proves correct- money laundering by the Vatican bank, ignoring the nazis, not having a great track record when it comes to backing democratically elected governments, not to mention the internal priest troubles, I think that Vatican needs to stick to their dictating religion to their own flock and leave politics to the duly elected governments.

[GraniteStateConservative]

This guy for Pope.

[GrandMoM]

Wow! 73! So, how are your bowels this morning?

How long does it take to recharge your little scooters?

Do ya ever tire of jello?

What does scotch and ensure taste like?

Do you sometimes just want to greet people at Walmart with "Up yours, it is better than Kmart? ....nice attitude to start the beginning of the year with!

[cajungirl]

You want the Inquisition back? I don't know you from prior to this post, but are you serious?

[Publius6961]

assembled in the city of San Francisco...
How appropriate.

Hey watch it!
That was my childhood San Francisco. It was a different universe then.

[GirlShortstop]

You yourself acknowledged that that neither provides any sanction for terrorism.

Sink, if I opine that evil exists, I am acknowledging it; if I say that so-and-so did something evil because of x, (the motive), that *does not* mean I feel that the evil was justified.

To examine or recognize the [underlying] motives does not equate to embracing the evil, nor does it justify it.

I did not think that you were seeing my point.
FReegards.

[Bluntpoint]

I love old folks.

I even love that old folk smell.

I did not think Rachel Welch was hot until she got her first age spots.

[cajungirl]

Post 136,,Ditto.

[BlackElk]

Sink's methodology seems to be: If the AmChurch left can take opportunistic advantage of the usual peace claptrap emanating from the Vatican as it does from most religions as an occasion to make Americans and particularly Catholics despise the Vatican, then it will be easier to establish an even MORE renegade left AmChurch ready to rebel against Vatican authority (celibacy, rule over subsidiary levels of the Church, central dogmatic authority, central discipline, priesthood of the priests) Vatican morality (resistance to abortion, birth control and homosexuality) and the Teaching Magisterium (Orthodox Truth as opposed to the Trend of the Week) when the next pope cracks down on AmChurch abuses that have produced deacons like Sinkspur. That and: Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain (and behind the criticisms) or to the underlying motives of the critic!

[BlackElk]

Even a stopped clock is right twice a day. You have one left for today.

[Bluntpoint]

The religion of peace: