THE HANDSTAND

APRIL 2003

 

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