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Pope Asks God to Show Mercy on Sept. 11 Attackers
Reuters via iWon.com ^ | Sept 11, 2002 | Philip Pullella

Posted on 09/11/2002 5:32:02 AM PDT by Pern

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope John Paul, marking the anniversary of the attacks on U.S. cities, branded terrorism "ferocious inhumanity" but asked for prayers that God would show mercy and forgiveness for the attackers.

The pope also urged the world to change in situations of injustice that spurred the desire for revenge.

"We pray for the victims today, may they rest in peace, and may God show mercy and forgiveness for the authors of this horrible terror attack," he said in Polish, according to a translation provided by Vatican Radio.

The pope was speaking in unscripted remarks in Polish during a special general audience dedicated to commemorating the victims of the attacks by hijacked aircraft on New York and Washington landmarks.

The service included mourning music and a peace prayer.

"Terrorism is and always will be a manifestation of ferocious inhumanity, and because it is, it never will resolve conflicts between human beings," he told some 10,000 people in the Vatican's vast auditorium.

"Violence can only lead to further hatred and destruction."

But he called for changes in "scandalous situations of injustice and oppression, which continue to afflict so many members of the human family, creating conditions that are favorable to the uncontrolled explosion of the thirst for vendetta."

After his address, special prayers were read in several languages, including Arabic, for the victims of the attacks and for peace among religions.

MORE THAN 3,000 DEAD

More than 3,000 people died in the attacks on New York's World Trade Center, U.S. military headquarters at the Pentagon on the Washington outskirts and in a hijacked plane that crashed into a field in Pennsylvania.

The prayer read in Arabic asked believers of all religions to "firmly reject every form of violence and commit themselves to resolving conflicts with sincere and patient dialogue" while respecting different histories, cultures and religions.

Speaking in a somber voice in his address, the pope said injustices had to be tackled through urgent and resolute political and economic actions.

He said that when fundamental rights were violated in oppressive situations, "it is easy to fall prey to the temptation of hate and violence."

But one year on, the pontiff said it was not enough to commemorate the victims and pray for their families.

"We also want to interrogate the consciences of those who planned and carried out such a barbarous and cruel action," he said.

"One year after September 11, 2001, we repeat that no situation of injustice, no feeling of frustration, no philosophy or religion can justify such an aberration."

"On this very sad anniversary, we raise to God our prayer so that love may be able to take the place of hate, and, with the help of all people of good will, that concord and solidarity may take root in every corner of the earth," he said.


TOPICS: Extended News
KEYWORDS: falsedoctrine; forgiveness; pope; senile; terrorists; tollerance
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Proof that the old man is getting senile in his old age. Time for him to step down.

...and may God show mercy and forgiveness for the authors of this horrible terror attack,"

Sorry, I can't be so forgiving. May they burn in hell.

1 posted on 09/11/2002 5:32:03 AM PDT by Pern
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To: Pern
Well, they're dead. Umm, I think it's too late for God to show His mercy on them. Once you're dead, that's it. You have made the choice. He was available to them their whole life. I think the Pope is getting his timing mixed up.
2 posted on 09/11/2002 5:34:32 AM PDT by ovrtaxt
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To: Pern
but asked for prayers that God would show mercy and forgiveness for the attackers.


I thought forgiveness was only for those who repented of their ways. So unless Osama Bin Laden has since admitted to how wrong his terrorist attacks are, I fail to see even by Christian standards how he or any of the attackers are worthy of forgiveness.
3 posted on 09/11/2002 5:35:47 AM PDT by Green Knight
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Oh Please!!! I'm so sick of the political correctness and *understanding* crap.
4 posted on 09/11/2002 5:35:50 AM PDT by Preachers Kid
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To: Pern
The Pope needs to call a Crusade.
5 posted on 09/11/2002 5:36:11 AM PDT by Iwentsouth
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To: Pern
May they be in hell three days before God knows they're dead.
6 posted on 09/11/2002 5:36:36 AM PDT by Quilla
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To: Pern
Do you reckon that the Pope thinks that "nobody" should wind up in hell??
7 posted on 09/11/2002 5:37:13 AM PDT by evad
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To: Pern
Sorry, I can't be so forgiving. May they burn in hell.

You're not God. All the rest of us sinners are grateful for that.

The Pope is speaking as Christ would have. If Judas asked for forgiveness, he would have been forgiven.

Judgement of another man's soul is above your pay grade.

8 posted on 09/11/2002 5:37:58 AM PDT by sinkspur
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To: evad
Well, nobody should. But many do.
9 posted on 09/11/2002 5:38:13 AM PDT by ovrtaxt
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To: Pern
It is impossible for me to forgive this bunch of fanatics.
10 posted on 09/11/2002 5:38:23 AM PDT by Piquaboy
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To: evad
Do you reckon that the Pope thinks that "nobody" should wind up in hell??

It's God's wish, don't you think?

11 posted on 09/11/2002 5:39:56 AM PDT by sinkspur
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To: CheneyChick; vikingchick; Victoria Delsoul; WIMom; one_particular_harbour; kmiller1k; Snow Bunny; ..
"We pray for the victims today, may they rest in peace, and may God show mercy and forgiveness for the authors of this horrible terror attack," he said in Polish, according to a translation provided by Vatican Radio.

I have nothing but the highest regard for Pope John Paul II, but the second part of this statement is the stupidest thing I'm aware that he's said.

May God deal with the attackers of 9/11, and all men of evil, with His infinite wisdom and justice.




12 posted on 09/11/2002 5:39:57 AM PDT by Sabertooth
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To: sinkspur
"If Judas asked for forgiveness, he would have been forgiven. "

Yep. Thats true. But he didn't and neither did these guys. So, why is the Pope talking like they're still alive?
13 posted on 09/11/2002 5:40:00 AM PDT by ovrtaxt
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To: Pern
The nonsense that the Pope is babbling shows how much the Church's moral authority has been destroyed.
14 posted on 09/11/2002 5:40:35 AM PDT by LarryM
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To: ovrtaxt
But he didn't and neither did these guys.

Judging another man's soul is above your pay grade, too. All you can do is guess.

15 posted on 09/11/2002 5:42:20 AM PDT by sinkspur
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To: ovrtaxt
Yep. None of these people are asking for forgiveness, so why is the Pope asking God to forgive them when they've shown no signs that they're remorseful of their actions whatsoever?
16 posted on 09/11/2002 5:43:47 AM PDT by Green Knight
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To: LarryM
The nonsense that the Pope is babbling shows how much the Church's moral authority has been destroyed.

Jesus "babbled" like this, too.

"Do not forgive your enemies seven times, but seventy times seven."

17 posted on 09/11/2002 5:44:13 AM PDT by sinkspur
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To: LarryM
Hey Pope,worry about priests molesting kids and leave the rest to us. Just want to let you know,WE WILL SHOW NO MERCY ON THE TERRORISTS THAT THREATEN OUR WAY OF LIFE!!!
18 posted on 09/11/2002 5:44:27 AM PDT by Far Right Of Left
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To: Pern
It is up to God to forgive.

It is our job to introduce all terrorist to him...

19 posted on 09/11/2002 5:44:53 AM PDT by Drango
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To: ovrtaxt
Catholics believe that the dead can be saved.
20 posted on 09/11/2002 5:44:55 AM PDT by GraniteStateConservative
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