Cardinal Pizzaballa: Abusing God's name for war is the gravest sin

[edhopper]

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2026-03/cardinal-pizzaballa-middle-east-war-abuse-god-s-name-gaza-israel.html

“The abuse and manipulation of God’s name to justify this and any other war is the gravest sin we can commit at this time” said Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa at a webinar on the conflict ravaging the Middle East.

“War”, he continued, “is first and foremost political and has very material interests, like most wars. We must do everything we can to leave no room for this pseudo-religious language, which speaks not of God, but of ourselves”.

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem was commenting on the words of the U.S. Secretary of War who, during a briefing, quoted Psalm 144 to invoke a divine blessing on the ongoing U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran.

[rampartd]

1. "with god on our side"

"We must do everything we can to leave no room for this pseudo-religious language, which speaks not of God, but of ourselves”.

&list=RDeH_6qdk8zAE&start_radio=1

[Midnight Writer]

2. Hegseth sees this war as a continuation of the Holy Crusades, which was an abuse of God's name to justify war.

God's name is used to justify war, bigotry, child abuse, spousal abuse, sexual predation on women and children. I have even seen it used to justify tax cuts for the rich.

It's the game that is fucked up, not just the players.

[2naSalit]

3. War is the result...

Of political failure.

[Prairie Gates]

4. Getting ready to watch American Catholics lash out at the Vatican while praising

the goofy Protestant theology professed by Hegseth.

[multigraincracker]

5. I'd have less of a problem with posting the

Beatitudes in class rooms than the 10 Commandments.

[edhopper]

6. I understand your meaning

but none of that belongs in a classroom.

[multigraincracker]

8. I agree. But, bringing this up would

bring pressure on those “Christians” to look at those words they claim to follow.
Let’s have a debate about it, for their sake.

[milestogo]

7. Cardinal Pizzaballa sounds like an SNL character.

[EYESORE 9001]

9. There once was a regime which used 'God is with us' as a propaganda device

Their regime was to last 1,000 years. Only lasted 12. Rump’s regime may not last until the end of the month.

[3catwoman3]

10. Will I go to hell for laughing at this gentleman's name?

[mopinko]

11. you'll b in good company.

[Boomerproud]

13. It is rather an unfortunate moniker isn't it.

I'm okay with a snicker and agreeing with his statement at the same time.

[Kid Berwyn]

12. "Money trumps peace."

Q A lot of our allies in Europe do a lot of business with Iran, so I wonder what your thoughts are about how you further tighten the financial pressure on Iran, in particular, if it also means economic pain for a lot of our allies?

THE PRESIDENT: It's an interesting question. One of the problems -- not specifically on this issue, just in general -- let's put it this way, money trumps peace, sometimes. In other words, commercial interests are very powerful interests throughout the world. And part of the issue in convincing people to put sanctions on a specific country is to convince them that it's in the world's interest that they forgo their own financial interest.

Source: WH Press Conference, February 14, 2007

https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2007/02/20070214-2.html

[ananda]

14. Right on!

Is the Catholic church improving in its
heirarchical messaging?

I hope this trend lasts.