May 03, 2002
I'm Sure Plenty Of People
I'm Sure Plenty Of People Have Seen. . . This picture by now. I first caught it on Instapundit early this morning, and then later over at USS Clueless, where Steven Den Beste had this to say:
"I always thought that the Church was supposed to stand for principles, morality, right and wrong, stuff like that. Recently, they seem to be exposed as possibly the most cynically utilitarian organization on earth."
Steven, let's just say that you're not the only one who feels that way. Looking at the photo, I couldn't help but recall the Pope's visit to Syria a little less than a year ago. It was then that Syrian President Basher al-Assad used his greeting to the Pope as an opportunity to broadcast an anti-Semitic screed with the appearance of a Papal blessing:
"His Holiness Pope John Paul II,"
"On behalf of the Syrian Arab people, on my own behalf and on behalf of the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic, I warmly welcome Your Holiness and I wish You a happy stay in our country, which enjoys your visit."
"As Heads of the Holy See in Rome, Your Holiness embody the summit of responsibility for maintaining those values, especially that there are those who invariably attempt to subject all people once and again to the journey of ailments and agony."
"Therefore, our brethren in Palestine are being murdered and tortured, justice is being violated, and as a result territories in Lebanon, the Golan and Palestine have been occupied by those who even killed the principle of equality when they claimed that God created a people distinguished above all other peoples."
"We notice them aggressing against Moslem and Christian Holy Sites in Palestine, violating the sanctity of the Holy Mosque (Al-Aqsa), of the church of Sepulcher in Jerusalem and of the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem. They try to kill all the principles of divine faiths with the same mentality of betraying Jesus Christ and torturing Him, and in the same way that they tried to commit treachery against Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon Him.)"
"Land and houses in Lebanon, Syria and Palestine belong to their owners. It also means return of the refugees to their homeland. Love means refraining from killing Arabs out of hatred, and to teach."
"The agony of Jesus Christ you will remember the peoples of Lebanon, the Golan and Palestine who are tormented and they suffer from suppression and persecution. We expect Your Holiness to be on their side in their endeavor to regain what was unjustly usurped from them."
"Again I warmly welcome Your Holiness in Syria."
That over with, the Pope took a page out of the Hillary Clinton handbook on diplomacy, and proceeded to deliver his prepared remarks that profusely praised the the Syrian dictator. Heck, even Hillary had enough sense to cover her tracks by issuing a statement denouncing Suha Arafat after the fact, something the Pope couldn't be bothered to do.
I have to wonder why it is that a Pope who so directly challenged communist authority, and in doing so helped end the Cold War in favor of the West, would be so chary to offend a thug like Assad. But then again, I would have never thought I would have to try to decipher why the Church would cover up for criminals who victimize children either.
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06:03 PM