Pope condemns violence in Iraq

[cal04]

POPE Benedict has condemned religious violence in Iraq and Nigeria, saying God would punish those who killed in his name. Tit-for-tat riots between Muslims and Christians in Nigeria in the past week have killed more than 150 people, with churches and mosques destroyed by rampaging mobs.

In Iraq more than 200 people have died in just four days of violence between Sunni and Shiite Muslims. "The fruits of faith in God are not devastating antagonism, but a spirit of fraternity and co-operation for the common good," the Pope told a large crowd of faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square for the weekly Angelus blessing.

"God, the Creator and Father of all, will demand an even more serious reckoning from those who shed the blood of a brother in his name," he said. Benedict said the upsurge of violence in Iraq, including attacks on mosques, was tragic, adding: "These actions sow grief, fuel hate and seriously impede the already difficult work of reconstruction in the country."

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,18283227%255E1702,00.html

[raggedcompany]

1. The Pope should shut up. If he wants the violence to stop so much

Maybe he should go to Nigeria and make himself useful. Stupid Pope.

[adriennui]

2. yawn....................

[phantom power]

3. It annoys me when the press reports these little Papal proclamations..

as if they matter. They might as well do a story about how I condemn violence. BFD.

[bleedingheart]

9. well they still think it is 1320 when the Church wielded far

more authority than it does today...

[Bridget Burke]

13. Well, you take the time to read them.

Probably more people know the Pope than know you.

[Toucano]

4. Great! That should have a HUGH impact! n/t

[Mountainman]

5. Yeah? Well so do I ! You think that is going to bring the troops home?

How about, the Pope condemns the Bush administration and all Catholics should demand and end to the war now under penalty of mortal sin.

[Toots]

6. POPE Benedict has condemned religious violence

Only Religious violence, all other violence is fine by him...

[Bridget Burke]

12. The Church opposed the invasion of Iraq.

The Pope is just saying that religous violence is even worse.

[kiraboo]

7. Tough shit, Benedict.

I know plenty of Catholics who voted for war in Iraq when they opted for GWB twice in an attempt to end abortions in this country. They didn't care about Iraqis. They didn't recognize that the billions spent on fruitless war could be better spent immunizing children around the world. They didn't figure that abortion rates rise in times of economic stress and hopelessness. They didn't think, period, except anything but their self-righteous moral stance. Go to hell, Mr. Pope.

edited to correct spelling error. there are probably others!

[Gabi Hayes]

8. gifafk?

[rman]

10. oh, but military-industrial violence is ok?

[Bridget Burke]

11. No. He said that religious violence was WORSE.

The Church opposed the invasion of Iraq.