Sydney
2 March 2003

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Food for lots of thought

Pope calls for peace fast on Ash Wednesday

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Pope calls for peace fast on Ash Wednesday

By Johanna Bennett

Pope John Paul II has called on Catholics to fast for peace on Ash Wednesday, saying "the future of humanity" will never be determined "by terrorism and the logic of war".

"Never, never, never!" he told the gathering in St Peter's Square as he announced the Day of Peace - March 5 - in his Sunday message, calling on Catholics to show support for peace on this first day of Lent.

And, in concluding his peace appeal, he echoed Matthew's gospel in which it says: "Blessed are the peacemakers".

His appeal for peace came in the wake of his historic meeting the previous day with British Prime Minister Tony Blair - the first meeting between a Pope and British Prime minister in 30 years. Mr Blair was accompanied by his black-veiled Catholic wife, Cherie, and three of their four children, who later also met the Pope.

The meeting was said to be "cordial" although "the message was politely but firmly put", according to Vatican sources.

The Pope called on Mr Blair to "avert the tragedy of war".

The Vatican has refused to bless a war on Iraq, which Mr Blair strongly supports.

It believes such a war could unleash a wave of terrorism.

Pope John Paul told the British prime minister in their 15-minute private meeting that a war with Iraq would be an unjust war.

There has been much talk that an attack on Iraq would qualify as "a just war". (The concept of a 'just war' is a Catholic tradition that was refined out of the experiences of World War II. The theory is included as part of the Catechism).

In recent weeks the Pope has emerged as the voice of moral argument against war with Iraq. And in his Sunday message he said: "The international community has lived with great apprehension due to the danger of war which could upset the entire Middle East region."

At a news conference after meeting the Pope, Mr Blair addressed the moral question, saying: "If we fail to disarm Saddam peacefully then where does that leave the authority of the United Nations? And if we leave Saddam in charge of the Iraqi people, who are the principal victims?"

The comment was by way of reply to the leaders of the Catholic and Anglican Churches in England and Wales, who have questioned the moral legitimacy of a war on Iraq.

The Vatican said the meeting was part of the Pope's peace plan and that Pope John Paul also hopes to make a direct appeal to the US President, George Bush.

As we went to press Britain and the US, with Spanish backing, were believed to be preparing a UN resolution declaring Saddam Hussein in breach of UN resolution 1441, which orders Iraq to disarm or face "serious consequences".

However, not much is expected to happen until Hans Blix, the UN's chief weapons inspector, delivers his latest progress report early this month.

In the meantime, the Pope has urged Catholics to turn to prayer and fasting, and appealed to all parties concerned to try to "resolve with pacific means" the current crisis.