Has the Vatican ever declared the war in Iraq to be unjust?

[Postman]

I know they have spoken words critical of the war, but I have never seen anything where they have declared, unequivocally, that the war in Iraq does not meet "just war theory" and as such, is "unjust"....either before the start of the war or up to this point.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1141/is_21_39/ai_99849519


I lament the start of the war too but I don't have the power to influence as many people as the Vatican. Cowards.

[ck4829]

1. They should deny communion to politicians and military leaders who still support it

Until they do that, they're just talking tough.

[Liberal Veteran]

4. I disagree....

I hate this war, but I don't believe the church should be blackmailing politicians in such a manner to influence politics.

I don't like it when they threaten to do it to those who support abortion and it would be inconsistent to accept that in this circumstance.

[antigop]

2. There is some info here....on the US Catholic Conference of Bishops website

http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/quote.shtml

[Postman]

5. Doesn't do it for me.

"we find it difficult"...(but not impossible, apparantly)

reads like a rehash of church policy and not a test of whether the war itself rose (or sunk)to the level of "just war"

[WinkyDink]

3. Yes. Links:

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=481

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/0306-04.htm

[Postman]

6. This doesn't say what you claim...

Does a "retired" emissary of the Vatican officially speak for the vatican?

Why would it be necessary for the Vatican to lay down pre-conditions (going to the UN before going to war)? Either the war is just or unjust. Period.

Nothing "official" states that the war in Iraq does not meet the "just war theory" ...there are personal statements of dislike of the policy, but nothing from the Vatican declaring, unequivocally, without question, that the war in Iraq is "unjust".

[madrchsod]

11. it would be a bit hypocritical of the vatican ruling on justice.

the history of the vatican seems to show that justice has nothing to do with anyone but enriching themselves..

[NNN0LHI]

7. I think it took over 50 years before they considered the Holocaust unjust

So I wouldn't hold my breath.

Don

[Postman]

8. So you agree with me, they've never declared the war "unjust"..

n/t

[NNN0LHI]

13. Its murder we are committing in Iraq verging on Genocide

I think that breaks one of the Ten Commandments pretty well.

Don

[WinkyDink]

9. Does the Pope more of a responsibility than other religious leaders?

[madrchsod]

12. no

[Postman]

15. THAT is your question??

More of a responsibility? I don't know, but he does have "A" responsibility and he influences a lot of people, and the Catholic Church does have a doctrine of "just war theory", so I was just wondering why they wouldn't adhere to their own doctrine. Especially when it comes to life and death. They certainly push the anti-abortion policy, why not their theory on war as applied to Iraq?

Would it then be influencing too much power to stop war? Just what is their function? To continue the established order?

[Cass]

10. Yes, according to this 2003 article:

In the weeks and months before the U.S. attacked Iraq, not only the Holy Father, but also one Cardinal and Archbishop after another at the Vatican spoke out against a "preemptive" or "preventive" strike. They declared that the just war theory could not justify such a war. Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran said that such a "war of aggression" is a crime against peace. Archbishop Renato Martino, who used the same words in calling the possible military intervention a "crime against peace that cries out vengeance before God," also criticized the pressure that the most powerful nations exerted on the less powerful ones on the U.N. Security Council to support the war. The Pope spoke out almost every day against war and in support of diplomatic efforts for peace.

John Paul II sent his personal representative, Cardinal Pio Laghi, a friend of the Bush family, to remonstrate with the U.S. President before the war began. Pio Laghi said such a war would be illegal and unjust. The message was clear: God is not on your side if you invade Iraq.
...
Americans were largely unaware of the depth and importance of the opposition of Church leaders to an attack on Iraq, since for the most part the mainstream media did not carry the stories. In the same way, many Americans were unaware that Pope John Paul II spoke against the first Gulf War 56 times. Media in the United States omitted this from the commentaries on the war.
...

more at link http://www.cjd.org/paper/jp2war.html

[Postman]

16. Again, you missed the point...

use of the words ..."They declared that the just war theory could not justify such a war"...this is the writers' opinion of what they said. No where did they say..the war in Iraq does not meet just war criteria and is unjust....

They are very careful with their words. Voicing personal displeasure but not declaring officially, without question, the war in Iraq does not meet just war criteria and all Catholics should abstain from this war.

...war of aggression, God is not on your side, crime against peace...all sounds great but they never drop the hammer...."Catholics should not participate in this war, it is unjust"

They tell us all the time that abortion is evil, what about the war in Iraq?

[Cass]

17. Ah, I see what you're saying.

Pope JPII made his opposition to the Iraq war pretty clear. However, you're right, didn't make a statement advising catholics not to participate. The current Pope said politicians who vote for legal abortion should not receive communion.

The hypocrisy involved which you point out would be a good subject for an interesting and thought-provoking LTTE or guest editorial, Postman.

[Phredicles]

14. Pope B16 has called homosexuality an "intrinsic evil" but has never

extended the same terminology to invading some schmuck country like it was Poland.

If I wanted to be really snotty I could say there's a reason for that...:evilgrin: