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Pope denounces kidnappings AFP Published: Sunday June 10, 2007

Pope denounces kidnappings
AFP
Published: Sunday June 10, 2007

Pope Benedict XVI made a heartfelt appeal Sunday to kidnappers around the world to release their hostages shortly after an Italian priest was abducted by suspected Islamic militants in the Philippines.

The pontiff roundly condemned kidnappings as "despicable acts" during his weekly Sunday Angelus blessing in St Peter's Square.

"Unfortunately, I am frequently requested to intercede for people, among them Catholic priests, held captive for various reasons in various parts of the world," Benedict told thousands of pilgrims in the Vatican square.

"I hold each of them in my heart and in my prayers, thinking, among other cases, of the painful situation in Colombia.

"I appeal to the authors of these despicable acts, so that they be aware of the evil they do, and return their captives to their families," the pontiff said.

Kidnappings are on the rise in Colombia, a long-time hotspot of abductions, rising 58 percent between January and May 2007 in comparison to the same period last year, peace foundation Pais Libre announced in Bogota last month.

Despite the timing of his appeal, Benedict made no specific mention of the seizure earlier Sunday of Italian priest Giancarlo Bossi by suspected Islamic militants in the strife-torn southern Philippines.

The pope had previously condemned kidnappings in October last year, at the time drawing attention to the case of a young teacher abducted on the Italian island of Sardinia, who was released in May after eight months in detention.

By CaritadeAngel on Jun 14, 2007, 17:18 in Politics & the war.

kalder says on Jun 15, 2007, 13:16:

I'd replace any political leader you'd care to name with the Pope in a heartbeat.

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

0 funny, 0 helpful.

juancegomez says on Jun 15, 2007, 14:12:

Unfortunately... ...it is not going to make any difference, I think.

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Mr. Hollywood says on Jun 15, 2007, 15:20:

Uh Kalder Are you suggestiong the pope isn't a political leader?

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kalder says on Jun 16, 2007, 05:18:

Beyond being the titular head of his clerical Lilliput, no, I really don't think he is.

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

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Mr. Hollywood says on Jun 16, 2007, 21:10:

Really? He's got a billion subjects. Head of the largest private landowner in the world. Tells his people what to do in bed (and what not to do). Hugely influential in politics of OTHER countries. Even has his own internet domain dot VA.

I think the pope, historically, is a very political role, and this pope is a political macher.

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Sr Tertius says on Jun 16, 2007, 23:07:

The pope? Political BIG time Or is anyone going to say that the Church is not a big political player in Colombia, Spain, Italy or Poland?

"When the finger points to the moon, the fool looks at the finger" (Chinese proverb)

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kalder says on Jun 17, 2007, 12:39:

Beyond the few hundred denizens of the Vatican, the Pope has no subjects whatsoever. Rather, there's an awful lot of people who choose to consider him their spiritual leader.

He is the trustee of a lot of property; he doesn't own any of and it is not his to dispose of at will.

He reminds Catholics of the club rules regarding sex. Noone's under any compulsion to listen.

Hollywood, the Beatles and Manchester United are hugely influential forces in the world. Doesn't mean they're political.

Most countries have their own domain name. Why should the Vatican be any different?

You could argue that anything is political; I could insist on a narrower definition of the term. We could go round in circles on this one...

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

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kalder says on Jun 17, 2007, 12:42:

I can't speak for Colombia or Poland, but I know Spain and Italy well. And it's been a long time since the Church was a significant influence in politics in those countries.

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

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Sr Tertius says on Jun 17, 2007, 12:49:

Yep It's a definition issue. I think it's reasonable to consider the head of a transnational institution that brokers peace deals, lobbies legistatures, and influences the election and appointment of public officials as a major political force. Or just a guy with a big fancy garden and a penchant for shoes. Whatever.

"When the finger points to the moon, the fool looks at the finger" (Chinese proverb)

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Mr. Hollywood says on Jun 17, 2007, 16:38:

Not interested in going round and round about it, but let's just say that my view falls in right next to Sr Tertius.

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Sr Tertius says on Jun 17, 2007, 17:09:

Spain There are good reasons to believe that Aznar and a large portion of his government were members of the Opus Dei. This is more than a coincidence: I know the O.D. well enough to confidently say that Church and State are not completely distinguishable in the mind of their members.

"When the finger points to the moon, the fool looks at the finger" (Chinese proverb)

0 funny, 0 helpful.