Vatican politics and war

Human Quest, Jan/Feb 2001 by Swomley, John M

A number of popes have covered their power drive by a devotion to the Virgin Mary. For example, Pope Pius XII announced in 1950 that "the Immaculate Mother of God, Mary, ever a virgin, when the course of her life was run, was assumed in body and soul to heaven." Pope John Paul II has repeatedly referred to "Our Lady of Fatima" and of her protection of him. It is not surprising that devotees of Mariology and those who believe in her apparitions will also overlook papal sins of power because of their, and the pope's, devotion to Mary.

Is it impossible for religious and political leaders to function successfully in our world of conflict and difference by using peaceful methods and persuasion instead of seeking alliance with military power and major nationstates? The religious leader whose name comes to mind in Gandhi, who not only set India free from British control, but was the model for at least fifty other nations to end foreign control. A second religious leader whose nonviolence led millions of African Americans out of racial segregation was Martin Luther King.

There have also been political leaders in countries such as South Africa, Tanzania, Costa Rica, Sweden, Denmark, and Iceland that have not relied on military alliances or concordats and have not threatened their neighbors to achieve political favors.

by John M. Swomley

John M. Swomley is Emeritus Professor of Social Ethics, St. Paul School of Theology of Kansas City, Missouri and Chairperson of the Churchman Company