Page 5, 23rd December 2005
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BY WILL GORE
POPE Benedict XVI has launched a scathing attack on “the senseless and deadly strategies” of global terrorists.
In his traditional New Year’s message the Pope said that there was a “tragic and disturbing nihilism” at the heart of terrorist activity. He called on Catholics to embody the “Gospel of peace” to combat the phenomenon.
The Pontiff criticised religious fanatics for encouraging terrorist activity. “[They show] a dangerous contempt for human beings and human life, and ultimately for God himself,” he said.
Benedict’s message – published last week on the internet – took the theme “In truth, peace”. The Pope expressed his fear that the “path of peace” is being blocked by terrorism.
“The truth of peace continues to be dramatically compromised and rejected by terrorism whose criminal threats and attacks leave the world in a state of fear and insecurity,” he said.
Benedict paid tribute to his predecessors, John Paul II and Paul VI, for their attempts to promote peace in the world. “As tireless heralds of the Gospel, they constantly invited everyone to make God the starting point of their efforts on behalf of concord and peace throughout the world,” he said.
The Pontiff’s attack on global terror echoed a speech by John Paul II at the beginning of 2005.
Speaking to the Vatican diplomatic corps on January 10, John Paul said that the “brutal, inhuman phenomenon of terrorism” had caused “great anguish and distress” in the world.
When analysing the causes of acts of terror, Pope Benedict said that “consideration should be given, not only to its political and social causes, but also to its deeper cultural, religious and ideological motivations.
“We need to regain an awareness that we share a common destiny which is ultimately transcendent, so as to maximise our historical and cultural differences, not in opposition to, but in cooperation with, people belonging to other cultures.” Benedict said the faithful could play a part in the destruction of terrorism: “Catholics have a duty to proclaim and embody ever more fully the Gospel of peace.” Many reports have focused on the section of the Pope's message in which he called for countries to “respect and promptly implement” international humanitarian law.
Some suggested that Benedict was making specific reference to allegations of human rights abuses by American soldiers in Iraq and Guantanamo bay.
But Cardinal Renato Martino, head of the Vatican’s council on peace and justice, denied that the Pope was singling out the United States. He said the Pope was “not condemning anybody” in particular, but extending an invitation to all countries to observe the Geneva Convention.
The Pope also called for governments across the world to begin nuclear disarmament.
“In a nuclear war there would be no victors, only victims,” he said. “Governments which openly or secretly possess nuclear arms, or those planning to acquire them should agree to change their course and strive for a progressive and concerted nuclear disarmament.”
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