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Did President Bush one-up the Pope? *Open* |
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| In watching the news media's coverage of the Pope's arrival at the White House, I was happily surprised at all the upbeat talk about America.The President was upbeat and talking American Exceptionalism:The Pope seemed to be praising America:But then it struck me..................................Isn't this the Pope who was adamantly opposed to the War in Iraq?and who was going to have a private meeting with President Bush after the ceremony?As a Cardinal, the new pope was a staunch critic of the U.S. led invasion of Iraq.On one occasion before the war, he was asked whether it would be just. |
| On one occasion before the war, he was asked whether it would be just."Certainly not," he said, and explained that the situation led him to conclude that "the damage would be greater than the values one hopes to save."http://www.cjd.org/paper/benedict.html"There were not sufficient reasons to unleash a war against Iraq.To say nothing of the fact that, given the new weapons that make possible destructions that go beyond the combatant groups, today we should be asking ourselves if it is still licit to admit the very existence of a 'just war'."May 2, 2003http://www.cjd.org/paper/benedict.html"Is the war that has been announced against Iraq a just war?'All I can do is invite you to read the Catechism,' Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger replied with a mischievous grin, 'and the conclusion seems obvious to me'?(September 20, interview on the Italian national news program). |
| (September 20, interview on the Italian national news program).The Catechism, Ratzinger explained, does not embrace a pacifist position a priori; indeed, it admits the possibility of a 'just war' for reasons of defense.But it sets a number of very strict and reasonable conditions: there must be a proper proportion between the evil to be rooted out and the means employed.In short, if in order to defend a value?greater damage is caused , then recourse to force is no longer justified. |
| greater damage is caused , then recourse to force is no longer justified.In light of these criteria, Ratzinger refuses to grant the moral status of just war to the military operation against Saddam Hussein.The Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith added another consideration: 'Decisions like this should be made by the community of nations, by the UN, and not by an individual power.'"http://www.cjd.org/paper/benedict.htmlPope decries 'slaughter' in IraqThe Pope said there was still much suffering in the worldPope Benedict XVI has lamented that "nothing positive comes from Iraq", in his Easter message in St Peter's Square at the Vatican.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6536773.stmA Rift Over Iraq Between President and PopeThe Vatican and the White House have disagreed over the warhttp://www.usnews.com/articles/news/national/2008/04/16/a-rift-over-iraq-between-president-and-pope.htmlAnd further, I noticed the decidedly "Militaristic" bent of the Arrival Ceremony:Don't get me wrong, I totally loved it.............................but did the President of the United States do a decidedly "in your face" "one-up" on the Pope?After all, there are a lot more choices for a ceremony for the Pope that do not include "The Battle Hymn of the Republic"........................................P.S. - anyone notice that the MSM virtually ignored the Army Chorus? |
| Don't get me wrong, I totally loved it.............................but did the President of the United States do a decidedly "in your face" "one-up" on the Pope?After all, there are a lot more choices for a ceremony for the Pope that do not include "The Battle Hymn of the Republic"........................................P.S. - anyone notice that the MSM virtually ignored the Army Chorus?Even Fox?I thought it was a beautiful and needed ceremony, but what do you think?NukeTo keep informed, please visit my other blog also:http://nukespook.blogspot.com/ |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 17 July 2008 )
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