What was Billy Graham and Pope John Paul II's opinion of George H.W. Bush's war in Iraq?

Answer 1

John Paul II was opposed to the United States starting the current war in Iraq.

Answer 2

Catholics use the 'just war" doctrine to determine if war is justified.

The “just war” doctrine requires rigorous consideration to determine if defense by military force is legitimate.

Offensive war is never justified.

All the following considerations must be true to justify war:
1. The damage inflicted by the aggressor on the nation or community of nations must be lasting, grave, and certain;
2. All other means of putting an end to it must have been shown to be impractical or ineffective;
3. There must be serious prospects of success;
4. The use of arms must not produce evils and disorders graver than the evil to be eliminated.

It was argued that pre-war Iraq:
1. Was not inflicting lasting, grave and certain damage to the United States;
2. Could have been influenced by diplomatic and international sanctions.

It is argued now that:
3. There is not a serious prospect of success;
4. The use of arms has produced evils and disorders greater than the evil eliminated.

The "new" philosophy of the United States to launch wars to get them before they get us can even be argued as an offensive war which would not be justified.

With love in Christ.