The Shotgun Blog
« Dogs And Cats Lie Down Together | Main | Subtraction by addition »
Sunday, August 29, 2004
I really don't know how to respond
The Australian reports: "
A GROUP linked to al-Qaeda promised today to spare the Vatican while focusing attacks on Italy and Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, for rejecting an ultimatum to pull Italian troops out of Iraq.
'We declare that the Vatican will never be one of our targets, as we will only strike in painful places which will force the vile Italian soldiers in Iraq to get out,' said a statement signed by the Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades-European Battalion, and posted on an Islamist website."
Obviously I'm relieved that the Vatican -- and this pontiff -- would be spared the horror of a terrorist strike from al-Qaeda. On the other hand, I am not very pleased that the terrorists don't think the Vatican a worthy target; whose side is the Catholic Church on?
(Cross-posted at Sobering Thoughts)
Posted by Paul Tuns on August 29, 2004 | Permalink
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
https://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d834515b5d69e200d8343194fe53ef
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference I really don't know how to respond:
Comments
Maybe they figure we're doing a bang up job making ourselves extinct to need their help!
Posted by: Kathy Shaidle | 2004-08-30 10:51:36 AM
Kathy, I have another speculation. Although I am not a Catholic, I have admiration for many dimensions of the Catholic Church, and I enjoy your blog which I read on a regular basis. I have tremendous admiration for the courage of the present Pope for his almost superhuman display of faith in the face of crippling illness.
Having said that, I have to wonder if al Qaeda in a misguided formulation does not see the Church as similar to Islam, as they have both been theocracies. It's possible that in a misevaluation they see the Church as being similar to their own theocratic desires.
Posted by: Greg in Dallas | 2004-08-30 12:30:10 PM
Has anyone checked all the rooms in the Vatican basement lately?
You know, it would be the last place most people would look for a 6' 5" bearded Islamofascist....
Posted by: Kate | 2004-08-30 2:16:46 PM
LOL -- Vatican basement!
In a way, it would be like the Republican Party reacting in horror back in the days when David Duke explained that he was our friend.
Some imam might look at the Catholic Church and see two religions with the common enemy of modernity. He might say, "Well, you can't completely agree with the Catholic Church, but at least you have to admire them."
Posted by: Greg in Dallas | 2004-08-30 3:05:48 PM
Kathy, you've been scooped! ;)
Posted by: Damian | 2004-08-30 3:47:29 PM
Kathy, you've been scooped! ;)
Posted by: Damian | 2004-08-30 3:48:20 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.