Hello.
The U.S. Catholic bishops' position on the Iraq war would, for the
most part, have to be characterized as "against."
See the bishops' statement on March 19, 2003:
"Deep regret that war was not averted. Our nation's leaders have made
the momentous decision to go to war to address the failure of the
Iraqi government to comply completely with its obligations. We deeply
regret that war was not averted. We stand by the statement of the full
body of bishops last November. Our conference's moral concerns and
questions, as well as the call of the Holy Father to find alternatives
to war, are well known and reflect our prudential judgments about the
application of traditional Catholic teaching on the use of force in
this case. We have been particularly concerned about the precedents
that could be set and the possible consequences of a major war of this
type in perhaps the most volatile region of the world. Echoing the
Holy Father's admonition that war "is always a defeat for humanity,"
we have prayed and urged that peaceful means be pursued to disarm Iraq
under UN auspices."
From:
Statement on War with Iraq
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
March 19, 2003
http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/peace/stm31903.htm
Also see an earlier statement from November 13, 2002:
"Legitimate authority. In our judgment, decisions concerning possible
war in Iraq require compliance with U.S. constitutional imperatives,
broad consensus within our nation, and some form of international
sanction. That is why the action by Congress and the UN Security
Council are important. As the Holy See has indicated, if recourse to
force were deemed necessary, this should take place within the
framework of the United Nations after considering the consequences for
Iraqi civilians, and regional and global stability. (Archbishop
Jean-Louis Tauran, Vatican Secretary for Relations with States,
9/10/02).
Probability of success and proportionality. The use of force must
have "serious prospects for success" and "must not produce evils and
disorders graver than the evil to be eliminated" (Catechism, #2309).
We recognize that not taking military action could have its own
negative consequences. We are concerned, however, that war against
Iraq could have unpredictable consequences not only for Iraq but for
peace and stability elsewhere in the Middle East. The use of force
might provoke the very kind of attacks that it is intended to prevent,
could impose terrible new burdens on an already long-suffering
civilian population, and could lead to wider conflict and instability
in the region. War against Iraq could also detract from the
responsibility to help build a just and stable order in Afghanistan
and could undermine broader efforts to stop terrorism.
...
We pray for President Bush and other world leaders that they will find
the will and the ways to step back from the brink of war with Iraq and
work for a peace that is just and enduring. We urge them to work with
others to fashion an effective global response to Iraq's threats that
recognizes legitimate self defense and conforms to traditional moral
limits on the use of military force."
From:
Statement on Iraq
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
November 13, 2002
http://www.nccbuscc.org/bishops/iraq.htm
More U.S. bishop statements at:
http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/mideastind.htm
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The position of Pope John Paul II on the Iraq war would also have to
be characterized as "against."
See address of Pope John Paul II to diplomatic corps, Monday, 13 January 2003:
"NO TO WAR"! War is not always inevitable. It is always a defeat for
humanity. International law, honest dialogue, solidarity between
States, the noble exercise of diplomacy: these are methods worthy of
individuals and nations in resolving their differences. I say this as
I think of those who still place their trust in nuclear weapons and of
the all-too-numerous conflicts which continue to hold hostage our
brothers and sisters in humanity...
And what are we to say of the threat of a war which could strike the
people of Iraq, the land of the Prophets, a people already sorely
tried by more than twelve years of embargo? War is never just another
means that one can choose to employ for settling differences between
nations. As the Charter of the United Nations Organization and
international law itself remind us, war cannot be decided upon, even
when it is a matter of ensuring the common good, except as the very
last option and in accordance with very strict conditions, without
ignoring the consequences for the civilian population both during and
after the military operations."
From:
Address of Pope John Paul II to diplomatic corps, Monday, 13 January 2003
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/2003/january/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_20030113_diplomatic-corps_en.html
Also see:
"Vatican to Bush: Iraq war would be 'disaster'" from CNN.com
http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/03/05/sprj.irq.bush.vatican/
"Vatican Strongly Opposes Iraq War" from foxnews.com
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,80875,00.html
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I hope this helps. |
