Bishop of Killaloe says no justification for Iraq war

No moral justification for a war against exists and the impending conflict in the region is entirely avoidable, the Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Willie Walsh said today.

"We cannot justify the terrible violence which will inflict so much suffering on millions of innocent people on the basis of a possible threat to us," he said.

However, Bishop Walsh stopped short of condemning the use of Shannon airport by US military and troop-carrying aircraft.

He said the use of Shannon, which is in his diocese, was not the real issue. "The real issue is whether or not this war can be justified," Bishop Walsh said.

"One could easily argue that even if we refused the use of Shannon to US troops they would be facilitated elsewhere," he said.

The Bishop cited a UN report which states a war will place 10 million Iraqi civilians at risk of hunger and disease and create a million refugees. He said: "At the very time when preparations are being made for war there is a threat of famine for millions of people in the Horn of Africa. Surely a "war against hunger" is more urgent than a "war against terrorism".

Bishop Walsh's comments echo views expressed by the Catholic Primate of All Ireland Archbishop Sean Brady on Monday who said it is difficult to justify a war in Iraq.

In a letter to British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair, Archbishop Brady said, based on known facts, he found it difficult to justify "since adequate evidence of an imminent and serious attack (from the country) is lacking."