War

Someone asked me today if I thought George W. Bush would go to hell-- but then quickly withdrew the question, presumably because he realized it was a leading question.

But I thought the rest of the way home how I would answer.

First of all, none of us can say who is or is not going to hell. We avail ourselves to God's Infinite Mercy for every soul. Every soul.

Secondly, President Bush was simply doing his job. He didn't send troops into Iraq to find WMDs; he sent troops into Iraq to ensure that there weren't WMDs. He fulfilled a UN mandate with congressional approval. Congress sent troops into Iraq.

Third, we must define the legitimate role of government in an age where WMDs could easily fall into the hands of terrorists before we can claim that Bush did something illegitimate.

Fourth, if we believe that hell is just, then we believe in justice. It was just that Saddam be brought to trial. Now we can be about the business of making Peace in Iraq.

Pray for Peace this Advent rather than wishing someone in hell.