Pope's message to Bush - war against Iraq will be 'unjust and illegal'

Houston Chronicle ^ | March 6, 2003 | BENNETT ROTH

[Terridan]

"The White House was clearly nervous about the publicity of the rift between Bush and the Vatican, particularly coming during a period of tense negotiations at the United Nations."

This is ridiculous... I am Catholic, and support the President 100%!!! Let's face it... It will be the United States of America who will ultimately guard and protect the Vatican and the damn United Communist-Terrorist Nations. The White House has nothing to be nervous about, EXCEPT, the health and well being of our people, the men and women in the military abroad. Best wishes to you, and God bless.

[Terridan]

Yep, and that's why the Vatican "appeased" Hitler, to protect the treasures, which I can understand. Now, they should pray to God that the United States protects them, which I am sure they are doing, as are we all.

[GiovannaNicoletta]

The Pope knows he can't come out and call for the removal of Saddam by force. If he did we'd have an out-and-out, world-wide religious war.

It's a shame that in times like these, where there exists a desperate need for moral clarity and strong, fearless leadership, that the man who, in the minds of billions, is the most prominent representative of Christ on earth, cannot "rise to the occasion" and use this opportunity to impart an important aspect of the character of God to those who consider him some sort of authority.

Better that he should remain silent than openly contradict the Word of God. In the absence of moral courage, silence is a great substitute; assuming formlessness prevents one from being cornered and forced to take a stand. The goal of avoiding an "out-and-out, world-wide religious war" can therefore be achieved without a "man of God" standing in opposition to God.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

What will the Church say after the war, when first and second hand accounts of Saddam's evil are revealed? Then will it will be righteous and just? Does the Pope believe there is evil? I'm sure he does.

[ImpBill]

People, just don't seem to get it. Mr. Bush is doing is duty (in this case) as outlined in our constitution and unlike his predecessor isn't interested in what it will take to get "Democrat Catholics" votes.

BTW, if his holiness is so concerned about right and wrong, he might first start dealing with catholic Democrats that support and promote the murder of unborn children.

[MEG33]

George Bush is a Methodist.

[ImpBill]

"He needed to do this."

Respectfully disagree. IMHO, he (the Pope) needed to do and say nothing but to pray for peace. I am one American (not catholic) that am not at all pleased that he (the Pope) would send an messanger to the President of the United States expressing his (the Pope's) view that our impending military action in Iraq is "illegal". Who or what does the pontif of the catholic churh think he is to chastise us in this matter. Seems the Vatican, as others in power, picks and chooses which wars they offer views about.

[metesky]

What will the Church say after the war, when first and second hand accounts of Saddam's evil are revealed?

They will say what all the other groups against the war will say:

"We didn't know!"

[HiTech RedNeck]

A decision regarding the use of military force can only be taken within the framework of the United Nations

When did Rome begin to bless the UN as a world governance body, anyhow? Why does it have to be the UN? Why does there even have to be such a body at all, short of Christ's return?

What's going to happen is that the US will attack Iraq and when the dust settles the Catholic church will be able to seriously set up shop in a religiously free Iraq for the first time in centuries. Wonder what tune Rome will be singing then?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Seems the Vatican, as others in power, picks and chooses which wars they offer views about.

They do what they've always done. The media does the same.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

"We didn't know!"

For starters, that excuse will fly in the face of Bush's speech, Powell's testimony and published accounts.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

When did Rome begin to bless the UN as a world governance body, anyhow?

I'd like that anwer too. The Church needs to condemn evil not condone a group that ignores it.

[metesky]

We know that some are willfully ignorant.

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

The Pope would be better off attending to the plank in his eye, and take care of pedophile priests...

[HiTech RedNeck]

This kind of "pre-emptive" war doesn't fit into the Augustinian just war framework. But St. Augustine didn't have to deal with any debased dictators -- for which even "satanic" seems like a horribly inadequate word -- overseeing a regime that brews up nuclear weapons, lethal gases, and devastating diseases and is downright gleeful at the idea of putting them into play. When the rabid dog froths copiously at the mouth you don't wait for it to approach someone to bite; you shoot it.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

You can't bargin with the devil. I think the Pope needs to sit this one out if he can't recognize him.

[Check6]

Sorry Pope...you got it wrong. Now why don't you send the choir boys home?

[KeyWest]

I wonder just who the "pope" is that is speaking, John or the bureaucracy. There is so much that is inconsistent with the way he once was that makes me think others are speaking for him and he is possibly in age related dementia. Too different from what would be expected from one who was under Soviet tyranny.

[goldstategop]

We need the Holy Father's permission to defend ourselves from evil? The Church has certainly changed a great deal since the Crusades. Instead of fighting the evil of Islamofascism, it seeks to turn the other cheek and watch silently while Christians are cleansed out of the Middle East. This from the same Catholic Church that kept silent when Muslims slaughtered Christians in Lebanon for decades and keeps silent even now while Christians are being annihilated in the Sudan. Yes Pope John Paul II, your counsel this war is illegal and unjust to our President is contradicted by your Church's own passivity and standing by in the face of evil that Muslims have inflicted upon Christians for centuries. As for our President, he not you, took an oath to defend the United States from harm and that is his first and foremost responsibility. Perhaps when the Vatican is obliterated by a 9-11 type incident the Holy Father can get back and tell us then whether the use of force to wipe out evil is still unjust and illegal. I think the Pope needs to reread the Bible.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Too different from what would be expected from one who was under Soviet tyranny.

I thought so too.