Catholics, what do you think of Pope's declaration that the attack on Iraq was immoral?

Question

Jean Paul himself

Answer 1

I am glad that he was prepared to stand up and say it.

Answer 2

I agree.

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 has been argued the 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.

Answer 3

As you know, the Vatican is a city within a city (Rome). How would the Pope react if the Vatican were attacked by terrorists? He has a Swiss Guard surrounding the Vatican. What if 8 were shot and 2 dragged away and held hostage? Would he stand for missiles being shot into Vatican Square? War is immoral, however, people have to defend themselves especially since countries around them say openly that they would like to see you moved into the sea and destroyed.

Answer 4

John Paul has done well to say that considering that he is dead.

You will be referring to the same pope who belives that aids is a better option than getting people to use condoms.

We can also remember the pope who sat in the Vatican throughout the second world war and kept quiet whilst the Nazis and their Italian friends tried to wipe out a whole race of people.

We can also remember the popes who failed to condemn IRA murderers who were killing men women and children for years under the banner of catholicism.

Answer 5

The pope is and always will be 100% moral and not political. Pope John Paul II anway. Pope JPII said that and he will probably be a saint one day. He believed all war was immoral and thats not such a bad thing. I don't always agree with everything he said, but I will always take it to heart. He was an incredible man.

Answer 6

I'm not sure about the facts of this declaration. Unless he claims Papal infalibility he is leaving the door open that he could be wrong and is speaking for himself.

There are several aspects of the "Just War" doctrine as it stands which I don't agree with. One glaring example is the idea of proportional response. Its sort of an eye for an eye idea of warfare. While on the surface that seems to make sense in practice it would lead to a tit for tat protracted war, and permit the state of war to be a permanent one. Which to me would be an undesirable outcome.

If it comes to war the use of overwhelming force, bring it to swift end, and restore peace, seems a more reasonable, and humane approach.

Answer 7

I think nothing of it. He is a MAN and nothing more, they all have their opinion. I was raised catholic and at the age of 27 I read the Bible. Yes, the same Bible the I learned in church classes that I could not understand without proper training. After reading and easily understanding, I quickly left and denounced them.

Answer 8

Im Catholic, and American..And the Pope was either misinformed by the media (whats new), or didnt understand the sitution.

From what he said, he was wrong

Answer 9

I'd have to read it first. I just have a feeling you're not giving us the whole truth, a normal tactic for you libs. I just had a lib tell me that she left the Church because the Pope gave his OK. Which is it?

Answer 10

Not Catholic, but I feel he needs to stick to religion. He does not get briefed by knowledgeable people on wars. Maybe then he could control the Catholics in US that are openly defying him ordaining gay priests.

I do not care but it seems important to him.

Answer 11

i dont know what they think but i agree with the pope! that was jean paul not benedict right?