[AP Gets it WRONG] Pope Urges Respect for International Law [did NOT "endorse peace movement"]

Zenit ^ | 3-25-2003 | staff

[Notwithstanding]

John Paul II rejected recourse to war as a means to resolve differences -- with the exception of legitimate defense -- and urged respect for humanitarian law in armed conflicts.

"It is precisely when arms are unleashed, that the need becomes imperative for laws that make military operations less inhuman," the Pope said in a message sent to a course for military chaplains, organized by the Holy See in Rome. The course runs today and Wednesday.

The Holy Father's words came at a crucial moment in the development of events in the Anglo-American military operations in Iraq.

The course of formation in humanitarian law, organized jointly by the Congregation for Bishops and the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, is being attended by 41 chaplains from all over the world.

The course has been in preparation since 1999, in keeping with the commitment assumed that year by the Holy See during the 37th International Conference of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent.

In his message, the Pope said the principles that constitute international humanitarian law today have been able "to develop thanks to the maturation of principles inherent to the Christian message," particularly the appreciation of the dignity of the human person.

These principles teach that "even in the hardest of battles, it is always possible and, therefore, a duty to respect the dignity of the military adversary, the dignity of civilians, and the indelible dignity of each human being involved in armed conflicts."

"In this way, reconciliation necessary for the re-establishment of peace after the conflict is favored," he added, defending humanitarian law not just as "a juridical code, but above all as an ethical code."

After mentioning the "difficult hour of history, when the world finds itself once again hearing the clash of arms," John Paul II said: "thinking of the victims, the destruction, and the suffering caused by armed conflicts always causes great concern and pain."

"It should be clear by now that war used as an instrument of resolution of conflicts between states was rejected, even before the Charter of the United Nations, by the conscience of the majority of humanity, except in the case of defense against an aggressor," the Pope stressed.

"The vast contemporary movement in favor of peace -- which, according to Vatican Council II, is not reduced to a 'simple absence of war' -- demonstrated this conviction of men of every continent and culture," he added.

In this connection, the Holy Father said that "the strength of different religions in sustaining the search for peace is a reason for comfort and hope."

"In our view of faith, peace, even if it is the result of political accords and understanding among individuals and peoples, is a gift from God that we must constantly invoke with prayer and penance," he said. "Without a conversion of heart, there is no peace! Peace is only achieved through love!"

"Right now we are all asked to work and pray so that war disappears from the horizon of humanity," he concluded.

[battousai]

Ok I read your previous post there, it is a good read and I agree with the core of you arguments there, that what we see is indeed a fight between good and evil.

I guess we'll just have to disagree on our views of the Church and the pope then.

I am not saying Dubya is wrong for going to war, it had to be done and it was Sadam who forced his hand. However just like Dubya has a duty to defend America, the pope has a duty to defend christianity and peace and he cannot afford to threaten because he has no worldly forces to back up his threats, that is all I am saying.

And I was not making veiled hints at you being a lefty, but I appologize if thats the way you took it.

[Theresa]

I have to say it, I am angry at the pope too. All he is saying is, War is bad, peace is good. We are doing the right thing!!! It infuriates me that he does not see what a heroic thing we are doing. We are going to sacrifice our blood and treasure to defeat an evil man. That ought to be so clear to him.

I really am mad about it. It's the last straw after the way he waited way too long to adress the pedophilia crisis in America. I don't think I will ever go back to being able to admire him the way I once did.

[donmeaker]

I used to ask my Christian friends, (back when I had some) if the Bible was an infailable doorstop.

The point is, the Bible is for other things. When used for a purpose for with it is not intended by its Author, it depends on the size of the Bible and the size of the door.

I don't look to the Pope for guidance on science, nor on polyticks, nor appropriate use of the military. This Pope has not spoken ex cathedra on any matter of faith or morals, to my knowledge.

I think Bush is pretty good at polyticks. I presume Franks is pretty good at use of the Military (and the Air Force, which we all know is not a military service, but is darned useful anyways).

Stephen Hawkings wrote an account of his meeting with the Pope, and how the Pope cautioned him not to investigate the moment of Creation. Of course, that is what Hawkings "Brief History of Time" was about. You have to know when to ignore these people.

[Dajjal]

Perhaps the Pope should have become a human shield.
Maybe then he would have a clue as to what's going on in Iraq.

[dsutah]

And you, my friend, are being obnoxious! Sometimes I dread it when someone puts articles on here about the church, because of preachy bullies like you!

[razorbak]

he [the pope] always preaches Christ

From Commentary, The Record (Louisville archdiocesan paper), May 25, 2000 page A-4

The Vatican's linking of the third secret of Fatima with the assassination attempt against Pope John Paul II has added an even more personal dimension to the pope's lifelong dedication to the Virgin Mary. As a young, boy, Karol Wojtyla, whose own mother died when he was 9, would pray daily to Mary in his parish church. As a teen-ager he dedicated his life to her during a visit to the Marian shrine at Jasna Gora in central Poland. As a theologian, he wrote about Mary as a mother figure who could unite all people. As a bishop, he chose as his motto, "Totus tuus sum Maria," Latin for "I am completely yours, Mary." When elected pope in 1978, he spoke of Mary in his first speech, saying he had accepted the office of the papacy in a spirit of humility to Christ and in "complete trust in his most holy mother, the Madonna." As pope, he dedicated the world to Mary during a specially proclaimed Marian year, traveled to Marian shrines around the globe, and wrote an encyclical exalting Mary's place in the church. He began leading the rosary on the first Saturday of each month at the Vatican. After he was shot and seriously wounded May 13, 1981 - the feast of Our Lady of Fatima - he thanked Mary for having guided the bullet and saved his life.

[Iowegian]

When a "defend the Pope at all costs" type runs out of good arguments, they move to name-calling. You have lost the debate.

[GraniteStateConservative]

Yep. Why doesn't the Pope pray for the surrender of the Ba'ath Party? That would actually be constructive.

[Sam Cree]

Thanks for posting this, I feel a little better after reading the quote in context, though I still do not like it that well.

"The vast contemporary movement in favor of peace - which, according to Vatican Council II, is not reduced to a 'simple absence of war' - demonstrates this conviction of men of every continent and culture.""

I must disagree with the Pope in that, IMO, the folks in the "vast contemporary movement in favor of peace," are not really that interested in peace. My belief is that they are more using the pretext of a desire for peace to pursue anti Americanism.

However, I believe the Pope to be a good and even Holy man.

[sharktrager]

"It should be clear by now that war used as an instrument of resolution of conflicts between states was rejected, even before the Charter of the United Nations, by the conscience of the majority of humanity, except in the case of defense against an aggressor," the Pope stressed.

"The vast contemporary movement in favor of peace -- which, according to Vatican Council II, is not reduced to a 'simple absence of war' -- demonstrated this conviction of men of every continent and culture," he added.

No offense, but this statement seems to me to indicate that he does not approve of the war in Iraq. Taken with his previous statements where he said the war was illigitimate, I think it's hard to say he does not side with the "movement in favor of peace".

[roses of sharon]

I would also like to see when this man and the thousands of men below him who preach peace, have ever worked to stop the delibrate and systematic murder of thousands of Christians and Jews for the last 25 years????????????

These innocents have been targeted in the name of Islam, and mosques all over the world have been preaching, brainwashing, and inciting their children to murder.

And all of a sudden we are the bad guy?

Don't fall for this propaganda.

Morality has nothing to do with his "course", it is a course in Public Relations only.

[ostephani]

You insult me and mine. I am off of this thread.

[Salvation]

Thanks.

[iranger]

"Folks who are orthodox Catholic believers have no problem understanding what the pope is saying and what he means by it."

I'm orthodox and I'm having trouble. The pope sounds more like Alan Greenspan everyday. His sentences are getting so contrived that they seem to have a different meaning to each person who reads them. How about a little black and white, plain spokenness? It takes more courage to speak simply and clearly than to patrol the gray areas.

[iranger]

"Your position is lame: The USSR fell with no war."

If you are looking for direct conflict between the USA & USSR, of course there was none. But this was a broader conflict. One between capitalism and communism. It contained several "hot" wars including Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and numerous other conflicts. The parties involved were not always direct conduits of either cause, but there was no mistake who was backing which side.

[Notwithstanding]

His reference to any "movement" is to the international civilized world's movement since WWII to eschew war if at all possible.

The peaceniks hate the pope and denounce his words in all other areas EXCEPT when they can dishonestly spin what he says about war and peace.

[Notwithstanding]

Yes, and the pope forcefully condemned commnism since his earliest years in office while extolling the virtues of a market economy - the only caveat being that a totally UNBRIDLED MARKET ECONOMY (materialism) offends man's dignity.

---

The following is almost verbatim from the official Catechism of the Catholic Church which he issued in 1995, paras. 2431-2432:

---

In addition to the fundamental preeminence of human life and dignity (criteria 1), the Catechism lays down a clear foundation of truth by which to evaluate any government policy or private initiative. All of the main principles of Catholic social teaching (subsidiarity, solidarity, stewardship, private property rights, human dignity, public health, the common good, the universal destination of goods, and security) are incorporated into this summary of criteria paraphrased from a short section of the Catechism:

2) Economic activity presupposes sure guarantees of individual freedom and private property, as well as a stable currency and efficient public services;

3) The principal task of the state is to guarantee this security, so that those who work and produce can enjoy the fruits of their labors and thus feel encouraged to work efficiently and honestly;

4) The state should oversee and direct the exercise of human rights in the economic sector;

5) Primary responsibility in the economic sector belongs not to the state but to individuals and to the various groups and associations which make up society;

6) Those responsible for business enterprises are responsible to society for the economic and ecological effects of their operations;

7) They have an obligation to consider the good of persons and not only the increase of profits;

8) Profits are necessary; they make possible the investments that ensure the future of a business and they guarantee employment.

[k2blader]

John Paul II rejected recourse to war as a means to resolve differences -- with the exception of legitimate defense -- and urged respect for humanitarian law in armed conflicts.

Does the Pope believe our effort to oust Saddam constitutes legitimate defense?

[Notwithstanding]

Ronald Reagan and Bush I (and their staffs) - who disagreed with him often enough - loved the pope and considered him a global moral authority beyond question.

History also reveals that the pope often voices private support for (and provides discrete concrete asistance to) American policy even while publicly holding a neutral position.

Nuance. In case you hadn't noticed, God has blessed him with the ability to be a master of nuance, timing, and the human heart.

Green envy makes some folks blind to such wonderful gifts.

[Notwithstanding]

That is a prudential question upon which reasonable, good, people can disagree.

We never invaded the USSR preemptively despite their tyranny and the threat they posed to us. Why?

Etc. Etc.

I support Bush - but also respect this wise pope's view.
Anyone who discounts him is no Reaganite.
W holds him in high regard.
You should too.