Dear Catholic Exchange:
The news article you recently ran regarding Vatican condemnation for “war of aggression” has raised some questions. The article stated that military action against Iraq would be “a crime” if it were undertaken unilaterally, by “one or several states,” without U.N. approval. Since when does the Vatican let the U.N. make decisions about war? Isn’t the U.N. a major underwriter of abortion worldwide? The policies of different countries are very complex, and I’m not sure France and Germany has the Vatican’s best intentions in mind when they advocate further inspections. It is easier for me to understand Pope John Paul II by simply letting his voice stand as is (without hanging U.N. policy on it).
It is difficult to wrestle with the Culture if Death in U.S. society, and I have mixed feelings on the prospect of war, but I do not feel the U.S. is being the aggressor. I am confused as to how to be a faithful Catholic and at the same time a patriotic American supporting freedom and liberty for ALL. I’m sure I have missed something since the right thing shouldn’t be hard to discern. I’d appreciate any thoughts or direction for further study on this topic.
Faithfully,
Phil Quinan
You’re confused, Mr. Quinan? Well join the crowd! We want to and must stand with the Church and the Holy Father. But the Vatican’s tireless support of the U.N. is truly confounding, especially given what we know of that body’s promotion of the culture of death on so many fronts.
All I can reason is that the pope believes wholeheartedly in the determined cooperation of nations and that the Vatican is waiting for incontrovertible proof from the U.S. that Iraq poses a clear and present danger to the West. Short of that, the Church appears unwilling to grant this conflict “Just War” status.
We’ve covered the issue substantially. You might profit from browsing through our war-related Edge columns.
God Bless,
Tom Allen
Editor, CE
Dear CE:
As a convert to Catholicism for four years now and as one who is married to a cradle Catholic, I am fresh in my feelings of our Faith. I see no Christianity in letting thousands of innocent people die yearly in Iraq so as not to have a confrontation with a murdering dictator. Is it a Catholic belief that we should allow evil to grow at the expense of the innocent? Ask the wife of a tortured husband or a mother of a tortured child if she would like to turn the other cheek or have freedom—freedom to live and to work and go to school.
As for talks, since when does Satan accept an invitation from God to discuss how evil he is and how he’s got to stop imposing his evil on others? Are we so shortsighted as not to see the good that can come from confrontation? Look at World War II. War can sometimes be forced upon us. Evil only hears evil. Evil is like a cancer, and sometimes the treatment can be very, very dangerous but it’s often worth the risk. I remember reading many a story from the Old Testament with regard to confrontation—the walls of Jerico was one. God helps those who help themselves.
I would like to save the people of Iraq, and it may take lives to do it. In the long run, however, going to war now will save many more lives and possibly create new peace for the world. Maybe we can eradicate the cancer, but in order to do that we must take the medicine however bad the taste.
Peace to you.
Robyn Avanessian
Many of us share this view, Robyn, and are troubled by the Holy Father’s apparent rejection of this reasoning. Perhaps his uniquely powerful discernment reveals the war alternative to be utterly disastrous. Let’s remain in prayer that war may be avoided, and if not, that the Iraqi people are set free at not too great a cost.
Here's a new website for your reference: www.catholicjustwar.org.
God Bless,
Tom Allen
Editor, CE
Dear Editor,
I am glad Catholic Exchange exists! I am also pleased you recently ran an article about the important role of the U.N. I was leaning towards the full support of the war with Iraq based on President Bush’s insistence that it is necessary for us to attack Iraq. Learning about the Holy Father’s insistence that there should not be a war in Iraq (and that a pre-emptive war is not a just war), however, has swayed me to protest the war-drums I hear every time I turn on the news.
Mary Kochan wrote recently that this war with Iraq is not new, but merely the final part of the initial war with Iraq, which began in the early 90s. She seems to believe that because the Vatican said that the initial war was a just one that the Vatican should also support President Bush as he prepares for a new attack. This logic is amazing to me. Does Mary Kochan believe the Holy Father would quickly change his mind and support President Bush if he only knew that this is merely the continuation of the same war he approved of earlier? Is she suggesting the Holy Father is naïve in his strong statements that President Bush’s war is not just?
Again, I used to support President Bush’s war, but after hearing the Holy Father’s statements that there should be no war with Iraq, I have changed my mind and now protest this war. I don’t know all the facts (but then neither does the Holy Father or President Bush); however, what I do know is that if I have to choose between the Holy Father’s definition of a just war and President Bush’s definition (that a pre-emptive war is just), I will choose the Holy Father any day of the week!
Your Brother in Christ,
Rob Swift
Dear Mr. Swift,
I do not believe the Holy Father is naïve. Nor do I think that President Bush understands the doctrine on just war better than the pope does.
On the other hand, I do believe that George Bush has information regarding the threat Iraq poses to this country that the pope does not have, certainly more than the considerable evidence publicly revealed. Therefore, the pope cannot know whether or not this is a just war because he lacks the information on which to base that judgment. It is the job of the pope to teach the Catholic faith. It is the job of the president to defend our country.
Allow me to remind you that the pope has called upon Iraq to follow international law. Fine. The U.N. has done the same thing with a baker’s dozen of resolutions for over a decade. But even the EU admitted that what (little and grudging) cooperation has come from Iraq has only occurred because of the presence of the American military poised to attack Saddam.
We have to remember the lessons of history. The moral suasion of this pope was very instrumental in bringing down the communists regime over Eastern Europe. However, the other earthly power that crumpled that totalitarian system was the steady application of American military force in Europe applied by Ronald Reagan. This application of military might—locating missiles, refusing unilateral troop reductions and disarmament, proposing “Star Wars”—was in every instance opposed by the Catholic bishops. Had we listened to them, we would still be dealing with a Soviet Union.
I hope war can be averted, too, by some internal event in Iraq. But I guarantee you that if it does, it will be precisely because America beat those “drums of war” you dislike so much.
Blessings,
Mary Kochan
Contributing Editor
Catholic Exchange
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