Pope Steps Up Anti-war Crusade With Call For Christians To Fast

AFP ^

[RCW2001]

AFP Photo

Pope John Paul II stepped up his crusade against a looming war in Iraq, urging the world's Christians to stage a fast for peace on the same day as his envoy is to meet US President George W. Bush.

The pope said the day of fasting on Wednesday would remind people of the long years of suffering endured by Iraqi citizens as a result of the international embargo against the country.

The fast will coincide with a meeting Wednesday between Bush and the pope's special envoy, Cardinal Pio Laghi, who the pope has entrusted with a special plea to restrain the US leader from waging war against Iraq.

The fast is the latest in a series of efforts to avert a war by the pope, who has emerged as one of the most prominent opponents against a US-led conflict with Iraq.

In recent weeks, he has received leaders ranging from Iraq Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz to British Prime Minister Tony Blair, the US' key ally on Iraq, and Tuesday held talks with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

The pontiff said the day of fasting Wednesday should "provide greater understanding of the difficulties and sufferings or our brothers confronted by hunger, misery and war."

The appeal has also been passed on by World Council of Churches in Geneva and the Synod of the Church of England.

An informal opinion poll carried out on a private Italian television channel also found that 55.7 percent of viewers said they were willing to follow the appeal to fast.

Laghi's meeting with Bush Wednesday comes amid insistences from Washington that the pope's anti-war pronouncements will not be able to sway the United States from its hardline stance on Iraq.

Jim Nicholson, US envoy to the Holy See, on Tuesday confirmed that the pope's appeal through Laghi would not influence American thinking.

"Cardinal Laghi's mission may be useful, but Iraq must disarm," he said on the private Italian television channel "La 7."

"If Saddam Hussein were to leave his country, that would be a perfect solution," Nicholson added.

Meanwhile, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, a firm supporter of the US stance on Iraq, became the latest of the world's leaders Tuesday to hold talks on the crisis with the pope.

Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said that the meeting "allowed an exchange of views on the current international situation, with special emphasis on the crisis in Iraq."

The pope had already held talks Thursday with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, another key supporter of the US position on Iraq and holder of a crucial seat on the UN Security Council.

Officials at the Vatican have said the 82 year-old-pope has thrown all his energy into efforts to stop the war, despite the crippling effects of his Parkinson's disease.

"He has been more alert in the last few days, as though he wanted to give us more strength," Laghi said.

The pope has adopted a vocal stance of principled opposition against a military conflict with Iraq, saying the future of humanity can never be ensured by the logic of war.

"Marred by long-standing and seemingly relentless conflicts, the world stands on the brink of yet another war," the pope wrote last month in a pessimistic message to newly-enthroned Anglican leader Rowan Williams.

Separately, the Vatican Tuesday denied that the pope had planned to make a personal address to the United Nations Security Council if his envoy failed to deter Bush from going to war.

"There are no plans for the Holy Father to visit the United Nations," a spokesman told journalists.

[habaes corpussel]

"Better to keep quiet and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."

Only a fool would think another a fool....

[habaes corpussel]

"The Catholic Difference By George Weigel"

Yep sure sound Catholic to me?

[caisson71]

You're right about Ash Wednesday. I was just making a point. I have no doubt that the Pope is right about war being the last resort. But, after the 1995 bombing in Saudi Arabia which killed 5 Americans, the 1996 bombing of the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia killing 19 and injuring 200 Americans, the 1998 bombing of US embassies in Africa - 224 killed and 5000 injured, 2000 bombing of the USS Cole killing 17 Americans and let's not forget the 3,000 who died on 9/11 and the earlier attempt at the World Trade Center, don't you think it's time? If not now, when? We could wait till we live in an environment like Israel, wondering which school bus or pizza parlor will be bombed next. Saddam must go, NOW!
Don't concern yourself about the Catholic bashing, some people are just ignorant. Besides, we need a little house cleaning. It only reaffirms my faith.

[caisson71]

You are right about Ash Wednesday, I was just making a point. I'll be ready for that steak on Thursday! The Pope speaks for the world. Our President is obligated to protect America and its citizens by whatever means he deems necessary. My son is in the military and I do pray for this country and him every day. I've been to war and zipped up my share of body bags. It is hell, there is no other word for it, in any language. However, some things are worth fighting for.

[jwalsh07]

I am a practicing Catholic and I won't be joining in.

While I admire the Pope for his battles against the communists and his renouncing of socialism he is not infallible when it comes to matters of state.

Pacifism only works when all concerned are committed to that philosophy. Unfortunately, there is good and evil in the world and when good men do nothing the result is evil triumphs.

Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, Saddam Hussein. Pacifism is not in their vocabulary. The only thing good men can do is to expedite their meeting with their maker before they kill millions.

[B Knotts]

I agree. Saddam has to go. Just getting a bit fed-up with the Catholic bashing. Usually, I can ignore it, but the last couple of days it's been overwhelming.

[CdMGuy]

Yeah, I don't get it. All Catholics are supposed to fast on this Wednesday anyway as it is Ash Wednesday, a day of fast and abstinance. Hello John Paul. Did you forget or are you trying to make the world think that all of us Catholics are going to fast tomorrow just to support your anti-war statements when we are really fasting because it is Ash Wednesday?

[smokeyjon]

"It's nice to see that these so-called "Catholics" are revealing themsleves as closeted born-again Christian Protestants... The Roman Catholic Church doesn't need you, anyway"
"thank God you aren't part of the Priesthood"

Actually, if you wanted to label me as anything, these days it would probably be agnostic. I said that I had 12 years of Catholic education; I never claimed to be staunch Catholic.

Don't confuse the institution and bureacracy of the Church with the people and faith of the Church. I can't begin to imagine what the agenda of the Pope is at this point. "Turn the other cheek" doesn't work in the 21st century, when the person slapping you would do so with VX, anthrax, ricin, or possibly nukes. Additionally, with the well documented humanitarian atrocities, it gives the appearance that Iraqis being oppressed, tortured, raped, and killed don't satisfy the idea of a "just war"...only ethnic groups that the Pope approves of.

As an aside, your comment "The Roman Catholic Church doesn't need you anyway" is very interesting when contrasted with certain lessons taught in the Bible. I also hadn't realized that the Church had regressed to the point where people who had any reservations about the Church's activities or politics were excommunicated.

[singsong]

<<Islam is not a religion, it is a ideology based on world domination masquerading as a religion. No other religion requires total submission or death. Islam does.! ISLAM IS TERRORISM BY IT"S VERY NATURE and is a direct threat to the Church and all Christians on the face of the planet"">> This is another post I don't know why I am responding too. But again you surely do not understand the difference between Islam, and what the extremists are using as their tool to steal a religion.
It was made to be stolen brother. It just soooo easy to steal it that it will never be where you think it is. Go to www.cspan.org and see the movie about Islam. Robe put it perfect. Can't be said better. If you have the time read the Quran and pay attention. After I did some of that, I figured out what a fool I have been for so many years. 9/11 is not some coincidence brother. It's much much deeper than that

[caisson71]

I'm with you.

[StAthanasiustheGreat]

I plan on fasting tomorrow, and breaking it at sundown, after Mass. However, I WILL NOT be offering it up for peace, I will be offering it up for the liberation of the Iraqi people. I love the Pope, he is the leader of the Church on Earth, but he is so wrong on this issue. I think all Catholics need to be praying for the Pope, that he recovers his former strength and will concerning Good and Evil in this world. God Bless

Vocatus Atque Non Vocatus Deus Aderit

[habaes corpussel]

"It was made to be stolen brother. It just soooo easy to steal it that it will never be where you think it is. Go to www.cspan.org and see the movie about Islam. Robe put it perfect. Can't be said better. If you have the time read the Quran and pay attention. After I did some of that, I figured out what a fool I have been for so many years. 9/11 is not some coincidence brother. It's much much deeper than that"

Anyone can take any religion and focus on the bad points. The Old Testament is full of battle, destroying and death too. Robe as well as many other focused on the Hadith or "Sayings of the Prophet." While there is much controversy over how much the Hadith should play in part with the Quran.

[habaes corpussel]

"As an aside, your comment "The Roman Catholic Church doesn't need you anyway" is very interesting when contrasted with certain lessons taught in the Bible. I also hadn't realized that the Church had regressed to the point where people who had any reservations about the Church's activities or politics were excommunicated."

First I never said you should not be Catholic. I said thank God your not a Priest. Second this statement of yours is really taken out of context. You need to review Cannon Law on excomminication.

Finally, "It's nice to see that these so-called "Catholics" are revealing themselves as closeted born-again Christian Protestants..."

I lovingly refer to Protestants as Catholic Light. Since its a break away religion of Catholicism.

[singsong]

Anyone can take any religion and focus on the bad points. The Old Testament is full of battle, destroying and death too.
I would respectfuly but forcefully disagree with that. Religions are very different. And you don't have to go out of yourself to know it. But takes effort.

[habaes corpussel]

"I would respectfuly but forcefully disagree with that. Religions are very different. And you don't have to go out of yourself to know it. But takes effort."

The main western religions are not all that different. They are all tied to the same Book or Scrolls. It is their interpretations that are very different.

[TheClintons-STILLAnti-American]

With all due respect to the old guy, he is way overstepping his bounds when he calls upon all Christians to do anything....being the voice of Catholicism is a long, long way from being the voice of Christianity.

[general_re]

However, I WILL NOT be offering it up for peace, I will be offering it up for the liberation of the Iraqi people.

Personally, I've resolved to give up murderous Iraqi dictators for Lent this year - it's one vice we can all live without... ;)

[smokeyjon]

"First I never said you should not be Catholic. I said thank God your not a Priest. Second this statement of yours is really taken out of context. You need to review Cannon Law on excomminication."

I apologize, I was responding to both you and someone else without marking who was who. I was responding to the comment "The Roman Catholic Church doesn't need you", and was referring to the old practice of excommunicating those who disagreed with the Church on pretty much anything, such as Galileo's "heresy" of claiming that the Earth was not the center of the universe. As for not being a priet, of course I never would be. The policies and practices of the Church heirarchy, nevermind my own personal beliefs, would have precluded me from ever considering it. Perhaps you should be more concerned with the attempts to conceal and protect pedophiles in the rectories than people who simply disagree with the Church's political views, and aren't members of the clergy. Enemies that are hidden from you are much more dangerous than percieved enemies that you can see.

"I lovingly refer to Protestants as Catholic Light. Since its a break away religion of Catholicism."

I think that most Protestants would be offended at being called "Catholic Light", no matter what the context or meaning. You seem to have a very narrow, elitist view of religion that is more suited to the Islamic radicals that we are dealing with now.

[TheClintons-STILLAnti-American]

"The main western religions are not all that different."

True, many of the differences come down to how thin you wish to slice the proverbial theological baloney.......with the exception that most religions today are just that...external expressions with absolutely no eternal value.

Any religion that uses teachings that obscure the fact that no one can earn their way into heaven, which unfortunately is true of most today, is worthless, except that it might help people feel better and live more socially acceptable lives........but all of that vanishes at the grave.

There is only one way to heaven, and it doesn't require the blessings of any person, or any religion.......it's all about a personal relationship, and anyone who claims they accept the Bible as the Word of God cannot claim otherwise except that they do not know what the Book they claim to accept says.

(And anyone who believes that the Bible is the Word of God cannot believe that Mohammed and the Allah of the Koran have anything whatsoever to do with the one true God.)

[habaes corpussel]

"I lovingly refer to Protestants as Catholic Light. Since its a break away religion of Catholicism."

I said lovingly. I have a very close friend who is a Protestant Mininster and we joke with each other all the time. Its when you mean it that you have a problem.

"I think that most Protestants would be offended at being called "Catholic Light", no matter what the context or meaning. You seem to have a very narrow, elitist view of religion that is more suited to the Islamic radicals that we are dealing with now."

I hold no elitist view of anyone religion including mine. As far as those Islamic Radicals you mentioned I know both the extremeist and those who practice Islam. I do not worry about those who practice Islam. I do worry about the extremists and there is a difference.