http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/international/AP-Vatican-Terrorism.html

Pope Addresses Roots of Terrorism By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Filed at 12:01 p.m. ET

VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Pope John Paul II said Saturday that injustice and oppression can lead desperate people into terrorism and urged the world to address the ``underlying causes'' of hatred and violence.

While the pontiff said nothing justified terrorism or other violent behavior, he noted ``the recruitment of terrorists is more easily achieved in areas where human rights are trampled upon.''

``This is not to say that the inequalities and abuses existing in the world excuse acts of terrorism: there can never, of course, be any justification for violence and disregard for human life,'' he said.

He said the international community must understand ``the underlying causes that lead young people especially to despair of humanity, of life itself and of the future, and to fall prey to the temptations of violence, hatred and a desire for revenge at any cost.''

The pope's remarks were issued by the Vatican press office Saturday during a meeting with newly assigned British Ambassador to the Holy See, Kathryn Frances Colvin. She presented her credentials during a visit to the papal palace in Castel Gandolfo, just outside Rome.

John Paul also praised the British government for several recent initiatives, including debt reduction for poor countries, peacekeeping in Afghanistan, Africa policy and attempts to bring peace to Northern Ireland.

-- ss (sss@ss.sss), September 07, 2002

Answers

You hate the pope, but you quote him, Joanie, when you agree with him on one out of a hundred subjects? Hypocrite.

-- Scram (you@are.banned), October 19, 2002.

It's a good article, and should give Christians some things to think about. I just don't trust that our media is telling us everything about what's happening between Palestine and Israel! Christians should be people of peace, not war! JPII has some wisdom here. These people are acting out of hatred, yes, but hatred borne out of desperation. Why?

If we're going to be Pro-Life people, then let's be Pro-Life consistently!

Gail

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), October 19, 2002.

I don't justify war, but what is the Pope suggesting the underlying cause is?

Religion?

The wrong religion?

-- me (you@dontknow.com), October 19, 2002.

The underlying cause of war is sin. War is the punishment for men's sins. Notice that they exact punishment upon each other without any help from God.

Hmmm. lol!

-- Emerald (emerald1@cox.net), October 19, 2002.

Donīt twist the Popeīs words. He is Cristal Clear:

"the recruitment of terrorists is more easily achieved in areas where human rights are trampled upon".

Althoug "sin" is the general cause of all evil, he is not at all being generic here. He couldnīt be more specific without naming Sharon, for instance.

He is obviously refering to the actons of Israel in Palestine, besides other cases.

Please refer to the USCCB thread.

-- Atila (me@somewhere.com), October 19, 2002.