The Pope, CNN and Iraq

[mhdishere]

The day the Pope died I was surfing thru the cable news stations for details and paused at CNN (spit). The entire few minutes I had it on the commentators were talking about the Pope's disapproval of the war in Iraq. I left it on to see if they'd talk about anything else before I got sick of it and switched to Fox.

John Paul II was Pope for 26 years. He did a great many things, took a great many stands, and broke down numerous barriers. The only thing these people could find to discuss (mind you while his body probably still wasn't cold) was that he disapproved of the US invasion of Iraq.

For the record, I'm not Roman Catholic although I am Christian. I had the greatest respect for the Pope, but on this issue I disagree with him.

But there's no bias in the media.

 

[GoRon]

I don't believe the Pope ever came out against the war. There were some lower level guys in the Vatican that made statements but I don't believe the Pope ever addressed the issue directly.

I may be wrong but I don't think so.

 

[Destructo6]

I think that Pope John Paul II was against war, period. That's certainly a legitimate position for a religious leader.

 

[Technosavant]

He was on record against both wars vs. Iraq.

While he was consistent in his stand against war, I don't believe he understood that lack of a shooting war does not mean that peace is the current condition (many others, irrespective of religion, make this error).

I still believe that the world is poorer for his passing.

 

[wasrjoe]

No one's perfect, infallible or not.

 

[GoRon]

He was on record against both wars vs. Iraq.

I googled Iraq and Pope and couldn't come up with any direct statements from HIM.

I think he was anti-war unless it was a last resort.

 

[c_yeager]

I googled Iraq and Pope and couldn't come up with any direct statements from HIM.

I found a bunch. You wont likely find DIRECT quotes from the Pope on very many issues. He has people who make those statements for him. Bear in mind that the pope isnt a political leader he is an unquestioned ruler, if an official statement comes from the Vatican, it is coming from him.

here are some examples of the stance on Iraq:

http://www.cathnews.com/news/302/121.php
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A14823-2004Jun4.html
http://www.natcath.com/NCR_Online/archives/030703/030703i.htm
http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/27c/236.html

It's pretty well understood that both wars in Iraq failed to meet the Catholic definition of a just war, at least according to the Vatican (i personally disagreed). Here is some information on that doctrine: http://www.catholic.com/library/Just_war_Doctrine_1.asp

As a Catholic i find it really odd how so much of the world is revering the Pope in his passing. It wasnt long ago that the word "papist" was used as a slander against Catholics. And the recent administrations in this country (including the current one) couldnt be bothered to listen to a word he said. I was outright shocked when Bush ordered the flags to half mast in his passing. He was a great man by any measure, but he was also a religious leader of a religion that is typically not well thought of in this country, in particular by other Christians, many of whom object to having Catholics even put under that same moniker.

 

[Otisimo]

Yeager said,

"As a Catholic i find it really odd how so much of the world is revering the Pope in his passing. It wasnt long ago that the word "papist" was used as a slander against Catholics. And the recent administrations in this country (including the current one) couldnt be bothered to listen to a word he said. I was outright shocked when Bush ordered the flags to half mast in his passing. He was a great man by any measure, but he was also a religious leader of a religion that is typically not well thought of in this country, in particular by other Christians, many of whom object to having Catholics even put under that same moniker."

I thought the same thing. I feel it is some weird media bias and not reality.

I believe in the Messiah Jesus. My belief is based on scripture and not the pagan based catholic dogma.

Don't worry Yeager. To me the word "papist" is negative and I don't believe the catholic church has much to do with Christianity, what with praying to the dead, giant obelisks at the vatican, and all that smoking purse swinging.

I do believe though that there are saved believers in the membership, which shows God's power to shine through Constantines cult.

 

[Leatherneck]

Here's an idea, otisimo: why don't you gratuitously slam a few more religions?

Some High Road, Bub.

TC

 

[mhdishere]

I hope no one minds if I pull the thread I started back to its original topic (before it gets locked), which, if you recall was not whether or not the Pope was opposed to the war in Iraq (he was) nor whether Roman Catholics are Christians, but that the Pope's opposition to the war in Iraq was the only topic the CNN commentators seemed to be talking about.