US, Backers Responsible Before God on Iraq - Vatican

Reuters | 3/18/03

[kattracks]

March 18

— VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - The Vatican said Tuesday that countries which decided to wage war on Iraq without the consensus of the international community were assuming great responsibility before God and history.

"Those who decide that all peaceful means that international law makes available are exhausted assume a grave responsibility before God, their conscience and history," said Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls.

Navarro-Valls comment was the Vatican's first official reaction to Washington's ultimatum to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to go into exile within 48 hours or face war.

[FITZ]

"Certainly, the leaders of Baghdad have the urgent duty to collaborate fully with the international community, to eliminate any reason for an armed intervention," the pope said.

But there's that "international community" ---a euphemism for the evil UN ---again. Why doesn't the Pope word this to reflect God's will for mankind instead of the UN's will?

[cyncooper]

I disagree. It is not just the U.S. calling on Saddam to disarm. We are being joined in the war by other countries.

I will assume if the Pope means the U.N. he'll say the U.N.

[Cap'n Crunch]

LOL, I knew you were going to say something about Blessed Emmerich. After all, subjects of that sort were our first exchanged words on FR if I remember correctly.

The Catholic Church proclaimed her Venerable & Blessed, not me.

Are you now saying also that your Church is superstitious?

[FITZ]

He's not a tottering, senile, fool as many here enjoy saying.

This same Pope was able to clearly, forcefully condemn Communism. He was a strong definite man ----he isn't the the same today as he was then ---there is a difference in his approach it seems.

[alrea]

And those who stood idly by while Iraq committed it's atrocities, including the Vatican, are assuming great responsibility before God

the vatican is a socialist tool. they are less concerned with the death and rape of innocents than they are with their revenues and power

[Cap'n Crunch]

Clinton? Wasn't it President Bush who said he would protect the Kurds? That's how I remember it anyway.

I'd say the United States has more to do with the UN than the Vatican.

Except we only play by the rules when it suites us.

[sinkspur]

The Catholic Church proclaimed her Venerable & Blessed, not me.

Are you now saying also that your Church is superstitious?

No. But some people in the Church are.

I'm not a big fan of "visions." The Scriptures and the Church give me all the guidance I need to live my life and to try to get to heaven.

Wisely, the Church does not require that Catholics believe in apparitions, or visions, or even modern miracles.

[Cap'n Crunch]

Regarding post 262, no, I didn't see your post. The UN knows the Popes stance on abortion, so does the United States. Hasn't stopped either one of them.

Personally I think the UN is an abomination. But we keep feeding it don't we?

[RnMomof7]

And those who stood idly by while Iraq committed it's atrocities, including the Vatican, are assuming great responsibility before God and history.

You may want to add germany to that list ..

[Cap'n Crunch]

I'm sorry, I don't agree. Less heinous is somehow OK? I'm glad you say that we should defend people when they are being tortured and killed for their thoughts and words.

So we are going to liberate China next?

[Cap'n Crunch]

God Bless President Bush for working to end abortion. I heartily agree.

It is going to take quite alot sadly, I think, to end this evil in our country.

[mountainfolk]

It seems to me the pope has stated the obvious. Why he felt it necessary is beyond me.

[livius]

My husband's Italian improved miraculously after that remark.

LOL!

It probably depends on who you talk to...I have friends in Spain, also, who could pass for liberal Democrats in San Francisco.

[montag813]

And those who stood idly by while Iraq committed it's atrocities, including the Vatican, are assuming great responsibility before God and history.

Yes. We shall see indeed how the Papal King is judged.

[sinkspur]

I'd say the United States has more to do with the UN than the Vatican.

Except we only play by the rules when it suites us.

The Vatican keeps insisting that the United States and Britain adhere to "international law", which is, of course, embodied in the United Nations. Why this is so important to the Vatican is beyond me, since the UN works against the interests of the Church at every turn.

In any case, the United States went to the UN and sought its approval. Bush made clear, early on, that he would go with or without the UN. France sabotaged the entire process.

We determine what is in our (America's) best interests. If the UN agrees, great to have 'em along.

[philosofy123]

This Pope is better than Reagan would ever dream to be! He is Christian, in full meaning of that word.

[Cap'n Crunch]

Personally I love the supernatural aspect of the Church. The Scriptures state that prophecy is a great gift. Alot of the prophecies of saints have come to pass.

Alot of the prophets of the Old Testament were rejected. Much to the detriment of those who were given the prophecies.

[tracer]

Pray tell. And there are other ways to assume "great responsibility before God and history."

Beware the ocular beam.....

[tracer]

Please diagram your sentence, or at least paraphrase.....

[tracer]

Well spoken indeed.....