John Paul II: Anti-Communist, Antiwar

Thomas Woods reminds us of a forgotten quote by John Paul II:

"Then there are the other social forces and ideological movements which oppose Marxism by setting up systems of 'national security,' aimed at controlling the whole of society in a systematic way, in order to make Marxist infiltration impossible. By emphasizing and increasing the power of the State, they wish to protect their people from Communism, but in doing so they run the grave risk of destroying the freedom and values of the person, the very things for whose sake it is necessary to oppose Communism." John Paul II, Centesimus Annus #19

Of course, if you change a few words this wonderful insight applies to the war we see today. What a horrible shame that more people didn't listen to the Pope's consistent warning against all types of state violence.