SpyridonOCA
11th February 2008, 09:12 PM
Soon, I will have the opportunity to hear Bishop Kallistos Ware lecture on the Orthodox faith. During the question and answer session, I hope to learn more about his support for the Orthodox Peace Fellowship, and whether he agrees with their statement that the American invasion of Iraq is equivalent to Islamic terrorism. Remember, Bishop Kallistos signed this very statement:
"...Saddam Hussein is an enemy of the United States and of the people of Iraq, but we declare that there are better ways to respond to terrorism than to respond in kind..." http://www.incommunion.org/articles/news-reports/iraq-appeal
As an Orthodox priest, it is unfair for Bishop Kallistos to politicize the pulpit, whether or not he agrees with the war. In this statement, Bishop Kallistos alienated American soldiers and those serving for his own country. Winston Churchill would not be proud. I appreciate Bishop Kallistos as a theologian and priest and always will. I believe that on certain theological issues, he is unfairly criticized. But national security is neither his area of expertise nor his realm of jurisdiction.
"...Saddam Hussein is an enemy of the United States and of the people of Iraq, but we declare that there are better ways to respond to terrorism than to respond in kind..." http://www.incommunion.org/articles/news-reports/iraq-appeal
As an Orthodox priest, it is unfair for Bishop Kallistos to politicize the pulpit, whether or not he agrees with the war. In this statement, Bishop Kallistos alienated American soldiers and those serving for his own country. Winston Churchill would not be proud. I appreciate Bishop Kallistos as a theologian and priest and always will. I believe that on certain theological issues, he is unfairly criticized. But national security is neither his area of expertise nor his realm of jurisdiction.