Christian Attitudes

Should Jews be allowed to defend themselves as other peoples do? This is always a good litmus test for hypocrisy. For those observing the reactions of Christian leaders to Israel's efforts to defend herself from attacks by Hezbollah, there is already an interesting range to choose from.

So - three cheers for the U.S. Christian organizations who back the Lebanon operation

"This was certainly an unprovoked attack and Israel has every right to go in and pound them," said Ray Sanders, executive director of Christian Friends of Israel. "It needs to be made very clear that what they [Hezbollah] have done is an act of injustice and Israel has every right to defend herself."

Evangelist radio host Earl Cox of Front Page Jerusalem Global Radio Network called the Hezbollah incursions "barbaric acts of terrorism" and called on his following to contact their representatives to "demand" that the United Nations Security Council "take action in support of Israel."

The International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem said that "Israel has a right to defend herself" and voiced support for the country's measures to ensure "peace and security in the region."

And boos and rotten tomatoes for the Vatican Secretary of State who produced this statement:

"In particular, the Holy See deplores the attack on Lebanon, a free and sovereign nation," he said, adding that the Vatican is close to the Lebanese people, "who already have suffered much to defend their independence."

Just a reminder about Cardinal Sodano and where his sympathies lie.

The change of course desired by Benedict XVI also draws the Church closer to Israel. Sodano was a great admirer of Yasser Arafat, and is a supporter of the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, Michel Sabbah, who is ardently pro-Palestinian. But pope Ratzinger immediately flanked Sabbah with a more moderate auxiliary who will succeed him in two years, Fouad Twal of Jordan, previously the archbishop of Tunis. And is planning to appoint as the bishop of the Hebrew Christians who live in the state of Israel the present custodian of the Holy Land, Franciscan Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who is viewed very favorably by the Israeli authorities.

As the article says: "He should be the pope’s foremost collaborator. But for Benedict XVI, cardinal Angelo Sodano is more of an obstacle than a help."

Does he or doesn't he speak for the Benedict XVI in his statement? Or would the Pope agree more with this?

As for the Israel-Lebanon conflict, Franciscan Father David Jaeger, an Israeli citizen, told Vatican Radio, "The Lebanese government has a choice: It can continue to allow Hezbollah to control southern Lebanon or it can show some courage, reaffirm Lebanese sovereignty and suppress Hezbollah."

As the Pope is on holiday, we don't yet know.

Now just wait for all the Christian agencies who are weeping and wailing over a non-existent 'humanitarian disaster' in Gaza to move their attention to Lebanon and find a new excuse to attack Israel.