What Do You Think About What the Pope Said?

Question

Pope Says Faith Can't Justify Violence
Sunday, October 21, 2007 2:36:11 PM
By NICOLE WINFIELD
Visiting one of Italy's most crime-ridden cities, Pope Benedict XVI told ayatollahs, rabbis, priests and patriarchs from around the world Sunday that religion must never be used to justify violence.

Benedict condemned the "deplorable" mob violence that he said permeated life in Naples, home of the notorious Camorra organized crime syndicate -- the local version of the Sicilian Mafia.

The pope's visit coincided with a three-day meeting of religious leaders from around the world on the role of religion and culture in creating a violence-free world.

The pope told the Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Buddhist leaders they must work Other World Photos

Pope Says Faith Can't Justify Violence
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for peace and reconciliation among peoples.

"In a world wounded by conflicts, where violence is justified in God's name, it's important to repeat that religion can never become a vehicle of hatred, it can never be used in God's name to justify violence," he said. "On the contrary, religions can and must offer precious resources to build a peaceful humanity, because they speak about peace in the heart of man."

While the pope's message was universal, it had particular resonance in Naples, which has long been one of Italy's most violent cities. Besides petty crime, it has been wracked by Camorra turf battles over drug and arms trafficking, prostitution rackets and other lucrative activities.

Naples for years had the highest murder rate of all major Italian cities, although it slipped to second place after Bari in 2006, registering 3.3 reported homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, Interior Ministry statistics show. Naples' surrounding Campania region has for years also topped the charts for robberies and car thefts.

Last year, there were calls for the army to be sent in after nine people were killed in Naples in two weeks.

During an open-air Mass in Naples' main square, Benedict called for programs in schools and the workplace to change a "mentality" of violence that he said increasingly draws in young people who have few economic opportunities.

"There are so many situations of poverty, of inadequate housing, of unemployment and underemployment, of lack of prospects for the future," Benedict told the crowd on a chilly and rainy day.

"It's not just the lamentable number of Camorra crimes, but also the fact that violence unfortunately tends to become a diffuse mentality, insinuating itself into social life, in the historic center and in the new and faceless outskirts, with the risk of drawing in young people in particular," he said.

Answer 1

Frankly, the idea of embracing religion as a means of defeating violence seems every bit as disconnected as the idea of holding a conference on peace in Naples. Some people just seem not to be paying attention.

While there might be some religions in the world that celebrate the common goals of men and women around the world, it seems the major ones are much busier differentiating themselves and distancing themselves from each other. And the religion-related bloodshed that comes from those efforts is too well documented for me to bother to go into it here.

That out of the way, I believe the Pope's comments about opposing violence and teaching young people a better way were reasonable and certainly necessary, considering the very odd circumstances.

Answer 2

Pastor Billy says: it's interesting to read so many answering this question that are hell-bent on opposition to all things Catholic they can't even see truth when placed right in front of them.

I say Amen the pope speaks truth and who can truly reach as many people other than this spiritual father of Christendom in the world today?

Answer 3

I'm a little surprised at the answers above. The Catholic church has a long history of being the "reason" behind violence and criminal activity. The Irish Republican Army's efforts are the first that pop into my mind. And so, if this group's spiritual leader implores them to cease violence in the name of their faith, why is that a bad thing? If every pope prior didn't offer this same advice, but this one does, why does that make his words ineffectual? He is not the popes before him. Regardless of what your personal take on the position of the papacy is, the man does hold a position of power both spiritually and politically, and so his opinion and policy affects many, not only those who follow his position, but those that interact with those that do. I think it's naive to pretend he has no influence, but I do agree that it is naive to think his plea with these words will have an immediate, large, or lasting effect. Our world, unfortunately, doesn't operate that way.

Answer 4

I think this pope is speaking from the heart. Yes, it is important for him to make statements like this. If other religious leaders did the same, we might see some positive influence.

Answer 5

No one can fault the premise of his statement. But, like every pope before him, he failed to address the inquisition. A crime family in Naples cares little about what the pope says or thinks. And in some other parts of the world, people care even less. No faulting his premise however.

Answer 6

This is just the kind of response that one should expect from the Vicar of Christ. Well said.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

Answer 7

He speaketh with forked tongue.

The Catholic Church has been, for nearly 1600 years, CHIEF among perpetrators of violence in the name of religion. Even Ratzinger himself was head of the, so called, "Holy Office" that spearheaded that violence -- the Inquisition!

Answer 8

Is this not a lame statement, an open door. Who [exept the criminals] are in favor of crime and powerty. The church it self is and has been a great sourse of povery and crimes against humanity. He has no right to preach to others.

Answer 9

The pope is just another man with an opinion.

Answer 10

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y mas ahora que regresaron...
aguante soda viejo
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