Posted on 07/14/2006 7:51:25 AM PDT by dinoparty
Vatican condemns Israel for attacks on Lebanon VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - The Vatican on Friday strongly deplored Israel's strikes on Lebanon, saying they were "an attack" on a sovereign and free nation.
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano said Pope Benedict and his aides were very worried that the developments in the Middle East risked degenerating into "a conflict with international repercussions."
"In particular, the Holy See deplores right now the attack on Lebanon, a free and sovereign nation, and assures its closeness to these people who already have suffered so much to defend their independence," he told Vatican Radio.
Israel struck Beirut airport again on Friday and bombed Lebanese roads, power supplies and communication networks in a widening campaign after Hizbollah guerrillas seized two Israeli soldiers and killed eight.
Sodano said the Vatican condemned both "terroristic attacks" and military reprisals.
Hizbollah, which wants to trade its captives for prisoners held in Israel, has showered rockets across the frontier in its fiercest bombardment since 1996 when Israel launched a 17-day blitz against southern Lebanon and Hizbollah. ADVERTISEMENT
But Sodano reserved his harshest words for Israel.
"The right of defence on the part of a state does not exempt it from its responsibility to respect international law, particularly regarding the safeguarding of civilian populations," he said.
If I was a Christian living in Lebanon - of whom there are many - I would applaud him for urging the military not to bomb civilian neighborhoods, such as my own. The pope has an obligation to his flock - even those living in Lebanon.
What did Jesus call the Priests of His day? White washed tombs with nothing but old bones inside?
The Church's actions and policies are not supposed to be dictated by world politics. The Church is to carry out God's will. They are supposed to act according to God's teachings, not man's.
Well, the pope never officially said anything. It was their Sec. of State. Still, that's still pretty bad and cowardly. Should have just kept quiet.
Don't be too hard on the Pope. He jsut doesn't want to see Syria use this as an excuse to come back into Lebanon.
So I take it, then, that you believe that the Vatican HAS had a great record when it comes to atrocities against jews?
"Not to be a sore thumb, but in defense of the Vatican and also curious to hear some answers to this question, isn't an all out war perhaps a little over-the-top against 3 soldiers being kidnapped?"
Nope, Hezbollah which is directly controlled by Syria crossed the boarder into a another nation (Israel) and murdered several troops then took hostages. Israel places a high value on their people as we do here in America. This is not an isolated incident and Israel has had enough.
Who the hell cares about the past? I'm talking about right here and right now. What they did centuries ago amounts to jack today.
If they'd wiped them out as they should have we wouldn't be in this shape.
No. Get some perspective Squire, it's not just about the kidnapping of these soldiers. It's about 50 years of murder and war.
Iran and Syria are calling the shots here, the Lebanese are simply caught in the crossfire. The Lebanese govt. is not totally blameless however, their desire for autonomy from Iran, Syria, and their terrorist agents is not matched by their actions against them.
In fairness, the Lebanese problem is also 50 years in the making, it cannot be expected to be resolved in a year or two despite the recent amazing progress.
This coming from a self-avowed skeptic? LOL. j/k
This is extortion by Hamas and Hezbollah. Yes, they could free these soldiers, but they want to force Israel to release terrorists currently in Israeli jails.
Ever had a fly bother you? You swat it away, but it keeps coming back, and coming back. Finally, when you've had enough irritation, you kill it.
This was a statement from Sodano, who is saying what he always said when JPII was Pope. Sodano is about to be replaced by a new Vatican Secy of State, so we shall see if there are changes.
However, in general, the Vatican is certainly not going be be rooting for war, regardless of who is involved. However, you have to read the statement noting that it also condemns the terrorists, it has taken them several days to issue it, and it is the statement of an outgoing Secy of State who has been saying this same thing for his entire career.
Yes, but to say that almost guarantees you'll get flamed - at least around here. I highly doubt that if some Mexican terrorists captured some US border patrol agents, that the US would be launching an all-out invasion of Mexico and bombing the Mexico City airport.
Actually, Lebanon was supposed to dismantle Hezbollah according to an obviously worthless UN resolution. They haven't done that. They continue their terrorist attacks on Israel. Israel has done everything short of ceasing to exist to try and appease the Arab world and they continue to be victimized for their quest for peace. Peace at any price will not exist in the region and they are finally standing up for their right to exist without being attacked on both sides.
How many divisions does the Pope have?
In case you haven't noticed,Your Excellency,there's been a lot of mighty sincere dialog coming out of Tehran in recent months.Is *that* what you had in mind?
"Vatican hasn't had the greatest record when it comes to atrocities against jews"
Says who? Maybe you should check your history. Pope Pius did much to help the Jews during the holocaust.
The government ofLebanon should have in the last few months done the right thing and throw the terrorists out themselves. What we are seeing now is that Isreal has to do the job itself. This is called self-defense. This is coming from a Roman Catholic.
I'm Catholic and I am well aware the Vatican is not going to cheer on a war .. they always try to promote peace
But in this case .. they are wrong and should stay out of it
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