PAPAL CRITICISM
INHUMAN WARFARE BOMBING OF CIVILIANS APPEAL TO BELLIGERENTS LONDON, June 2. “It is painful and regrettable to note that often during this war the moral judgment of certain actions is in contrast with that of the rights and laws of humanity,” said the Pope, addressing members of the College of Cardinals, who conveyed him birthday wishes.
“The progressive application of the methods of war, making no discrimination between military and nonmilitary objectives, and the evergrowing violence of the technique of war has drawn attention to the dangers inherent in the sad and inexorable . ompetition between actions and reprisals, to the detriment not only of .eparate people but of the whole community of nations. “Since the beginning of the conflict we have done all in our power to induce the belligerents to respect the laws of humanity in the air war. We feel that is it our duty and to the advantage of all to exhort them once again lo observe these laws. In saying this and addressing ourselves in our messages to the whole world, it is not, and never was, our intention to make accusations, but, on the contrary, lo recall men to the path of virtue and faith. Our voice was the voice of the vigilant sentinel created by Cod to protect the human family.” His Holiness declared that his thoughts and affection went out to the small nations who, owing to their geographical or political situation and the fact that moral rules and international law were now' no longer obeyed, risked being drawn into the quarrels of big Powers and seeing their territories made the theatres of devastating druggies, of indescribable horrors, and the massacre of their young and intellectuals. “We pray that the Poles, who have been so cruelly tried, and also other nations who have had to drink the biter cup of this war, may have reserved for them a future, in conformity with their legitimate aspirations and the greatness of their sacrifices in Europe, renewed on a Christian basis.”
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Bibliographic details
Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21112, 4 June 1943, Page 3
Word Count
337PAPAL CRITICISM Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21112, 4 June 1943, Page 3
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