A recent article in the Daily Mail, a liberal British newspaper, attempted to convey the Holy Father’s message delivered on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (also the occasion of World Peace Day.) If one were to read only the article, one might think that the pope used the occasion to scold the United States for its involvement in Iraq.
Pope Benedict XVI criticised George Bush as he declared states had to set ethical limits in what they do to protect their citizens from terrorism.
He also suggested some countries had flouted humanitarian law in recent wars.
Although the Pope did not identify any specific countries, Vatican sources made it clear he was referring to the U.S. particularly.
Although the article is brief, it clearly mischaracterizes what the Holy Father said. The remarks do tangentially address the Iraq conflict, but in no way can the remarks be interpreted as a rebuke of the Bush policy in Iraq (neither Iraq nor Bush are mentioned in the pope’s remarks.) In fact, a careful reading suggests that the emphasis is on the continued jihadi violence in the Middle East and opppressive nature of Islam. He also addresses the UN (by name) and their pathetic role on the world’s stage. Read the rest of this entry »
