Pope Calls Terrorism "Moral Perversion"

With most of the media focused on the Alito hearings this story has flown under the radar. Though not earth shattering, Pope Benedict XVI’s speech contains some significant statements.

Pope Benedict XVI condemned terrorism as a "moral perversion" and demanded religious freedom around the globe Monday in an annual foreign-policy speech to Vatican-based diplomats.

Benedict stressed the need for forgiveness and reconciliation to bring peace in armed conflicts around the world. And he told the ambassadors that wealthy countries must do more for the world's poor. Even half of what they spend on weapons "would be more than sufficient to liberate the immense masses of the poor from destitution," he said.

Benedict described a global "clash of civilizations" taking root and said the danger was made even greater by terrorism, whose causes he attributed to politics as well as "aberrant religious ideas."

"No situation can justify such criminal activity, which covers the perpetrators with infamy, and it is all the more deplorable when it hides behind religion, thereby bringing the pure truth of God down to the level of the terrorists' own blindness and moral perversion," he said.

Benedict stressed the need for all human rights to be respected, but said religious freedom was most important because it involves "the most important of human relationships: our relationship with God," he said.

"Unfortunately, in some states, even among those who can boast centuries-old cultural traditions, freedom of religion, far from being guaranteed, is seriously violated, especially where minorities are concerned," he said.

"To all those responsible for the life of nations, I wish to state: if you do not fear truth, you need not fear freedom!" Benedict said.

In its context the “No situation can justify…” statement appears to refer to the Palestinian cause so often used as justification by Muslim terrorists. The Pope went on to condemn violence in Darfur and pointed out Israel’s right to exist in peace and the importance of Palestinians being allowed to develop democratic institutions.

In a separate but related statement the Vatican pointed out two priorities for this year – unification of the Catholic Church and increased dialogue with China.

One of the things that made John Paul II such an amazing man was that although benevolent, he was not afraid address evil for what it was. Pope Benedict XVI is continuing in that mold – and the world is better for it.