War On Terror Must Honor Laws

Posted: 9/21/2007 9:40
USAToday

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Democratic societies have the right to defend themselves against terrorism but must respect laws and human rights in their struggle — or risk endangering the very freedoms they seek to protect, Pope Benedict XVI said Friday.

"In democratic systems, the use of force in a manner contrary to the principles of a constitutional state can never be justified," the pope said at an audience with members of the Centrist Democrat International, an association of center-right parties from around the world.

"Terrorism is a serious problem whose perpetrators often claim to act in God's name and harbor an inexcusable contempt for human life," Benedict said.

The pope said that some terrorist networks justify their actions by "shamelessly" exploiting the charge that society has forgotten God, and said that a greater respect for religion could help counter that accusation.

"Society naturally has a right to defend itself," but the struggle against terrorism must respect moral and legal norms, the pope told the politicians gathered at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, near Rome.

"How can we claim to protect democracy if we threaten its very foundations?" Benedict said.

"It is necessary both to keep careful watch over the security of civil society and its citizens while at the same time safeguarding the inalienable rights of all."

The pope did not mention any specific situations in the fight against terrorism.

Benedict urged the politicians to spread values he said are being endangered by changes in their communities. He urged them to oppose abortion, divorce and ideologies that view financial gain as the only good.

The pope also spoke out in defense of religious freedom, which he said includes the right to choose one's faith.

"The exercise of this freedom also includes the right to change religion, which should be guaranteed not only legally, but also in daily practice," he said. "All authentically religious traditions must be allowed to manifest their own identity publicly, free from any pressure to hide or disguise it."

Sensitivity to Christian proselytizing is widespread among Muslims, Hindu nationalists and some other religious groups that fear losing adherents.

Under a widespread interpretation of Islamic law, converting from Islam is punishable by death, while Hindu nationalists accuse Christian missionaries of luring poor people away from Hinduism, India's largest faith, through offers of money or coercion — a charge churches have denied.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.