Pope laments 'slaughter' in Iraq

[ck4829]

In his Easter message on Christianity's most joyous day, Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday decried suffering in the world, lamenting the "continual slaughter" in Iraq and expressing worry over unrest and instability in Afghanistan.

"In the Middle East, besides some signs of hope in the dialogue between Israel and the Palestine Authority, nothing positive comes from Iraq, torn apart by continual slaughter as the civil population flees," Benedict told tens of thousands of faithful in St. Peter's Square.

Delivering his traditional "Urbi et Orbi" Easter address from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica as tens of thousands of pilgrims and tourists listened in the square, the pontiff noted "how many wounds, how much suffering there is in the world."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070408/ap_on_re_eu/vatican_easter

[DemBones DemBones]

1. Excellent words from a pope who has not been what we feared.

My heart sank when I heard that Cardinal Ratzinger had been elected as the pope following John Paul II's death, but I decided to be fair and give him a chance. After all, he had been in a position that would make anyone unpopular. Like a "human resources director" whose job is often primarily about firing or laying off people, Cardinal Ratzinger was in a position that required decisions that would be disliked by some, if not many. And I knew that he was uncomfortable in that position and had asked John Paul II on at least two occasions to accept his resignation and assign him another post, but John Paul had convinced him to stay.

Like presidents, senators, etc., popes are in a position where they cannot possibly please all Catholic, let alone nonCatholics. But I was right to give Benedict a chance because he's done some very positive things and has not done all the horrible things some people expected from him.

He's prayed with the people in synagogues, mosques, and non-Catholic places of worship, as well as in St. Peter's and other Catholic churches. He's spoken out against war and suffering and poverty and met with people John Paul II refused to meet with.

For popes to speak out against an unjust war, as John Paul did when it was only being contemplated as well as after it began, and as Benedict has, is a great good for the world because papal messages are widely reported. If more spiritual leaders in other faiths spoke out more, it would be helpful.

I happened to catch a brief bit on CNN last night called "What Would Jesus Really Do?" Part of it involved two black ministers, both from Atlanta, I think, who spoke about Jesus as a representative of oppressed people, a teacher who opposed racism and urged his followers to give to those who hunger or thirst or who need to be clothed or housed, to visit the sick and those in prison, though I read something about that the other day which suggested that Jesus didn't mean that quite the way it sounds. If I recall correctly, Jesus was speking more of political prisoners than thieves or murderers. He also taught that we are to forgive our enemies and all who harm us and on the cross, He forgave the thief being crucified along with Him because the thief repented of his sins.

It was good to hear those ministers last night and today the pope, reminding people of the real message of Jesus. May there be more justice and peace in the world by next Easter and, as we Catholics sing "Let it begin with me." That's the key to peace and justice and alleviating suffering: individuals doing all that they can to make a difference. :hippie:

[KG]

2. nice.

but meaningless until religious leaders against the war forbid their adherants to participate.

[phylny]

4. Yes, just as the Church is prohibiting men and women who are pro-choice from receiving

communion (including my own congressman, who does not attend a Catholic church, but is Catholic), so should it prohibit any congressmen/women and Senators from receiving communion if they voted for the war.

[malaise]

3. The pope said not one word about

the illegal invasion or occupation of Iraq. He mentioned sectarian violence. That son of a fascist certainly did not fool me with his choice of words.

Gr.

[Lyric]

5. Do you remember when Ratzinger ordered that Kerry be denied Communion

because of his pro-choice legal stance on abortion?

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2004/7/6/152916.shtml

I will believe that the Pope is truly against the war, the violence, and the killing going on in Iraq when he similarly DENIES communion to anyone participating in, or supporting it.

Otherwise, I will continue to think he's nothing more than a fraud.

**Edited for typos

[NNN0LHI]

6. I'm with you on this one n/t