Conscience
of humanity rejects
war, says pontiff
March 26, 2003
Vatican City - The current war on Iraq is of a type that
has been rejected by the conscience of humanity, Pope
John Paul II has said, expressing "deep concern and
great anguish" at the suffering caused by the
conflict.
In a message to Catholic military chaplains gathered at
the Vatican yesterday, he said: "The use of war as a
way to settle conflicts between nations was rejected by
the conscience of a large part of humanity long before
the United Nations Charter."
"Thoughts for the victims, the destruction and the
suffering caused by conflicts always inspire great
concern and anguish," the pope added.
Making it clear that his remarks concerned the present
conflict, the pope said the only form of military action
that could be considered legitimate was in defence
against an aggression.
The pope also told the chaplains, who were in the Vatican
for a training course, that "when weapons go into
action, the need for rules which can make the conduct of
warfare less inhuman becomes imperative.
"Your course comes at a difficult time in history,
when the world is once again facing the sound of
gunfire."
He also said efforts to promote peace by the world's
different religions and churches "is a comfort and a
reason for hope".
"The vast contemporary movement in favour of peace
is a manifestation of this conviction on the part of
people of all continents and all cultures," he
added.
Appeal
of the Leaders of the Christian Churches in Iraq
We, the leaders of the Christian
Churches in Iraq, in these difficult and terrible days
which cross our country, Iraq, put forth from the depths
of our hearts, in union with all men of good will, and
with those who love peace, an appeal to those
responsible, so that they listen to the voice of God, Who
commands love, brotherhood and pardon to His children, so
that they not be the cause of destruction, of bloodshed,
of an increase in orphans, of handicapped, and of widows,
only to arrive at their own personal and egoistic
interests. May those responsible for this aggression of
the Iraqi people listen to the tears of children, the cry
of suffering mothers and fathers and the despair of girls
and women, may they heed the suffering of all the Iraqis
due to the lack of medicine and of everything necessary
for life, and may they cease sending missiles and
destructive bombs, and may they sit down instead at the
table for dialogue; may they be able to ask the Lord for
the light to follow heavenly principles, the rights of
man, and moral and human values; may they know how to
judge reasonably, to find the ways which would guarantee
the immediate cessation of the war, so that a lasting and
desired peace be realized; there are still so many ways
and many means to arrive at a solution of the world
problems through dialogue and understanding, so that all
may live a tranquil and peaceful life. We, the leaders of
the Christian Churches, together with our Muslim brothers
in Iraq, where we have lived together with love and
fraternal charity for hundreds of years in this peaceful
country, thank all those who work to stop the aggression
against us, and especially the Holy Father John Paul II,
and we ask to continue prayer and assiduous work to
influence those in whose hands lies the decision to cease
this unjust aggression on our tormented people. This
aggression causes the death of children, of the elderly,
of women, of the sick; and our youth on the front are
left to defend their country with loyalty.
The Heads of the Christian
Churches in Iraq
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