It was in the 4th century that St Augustine of Hippo, who believed the only just reason to go to war was the desire for peace, proposed the ‘Just War’ theory. Developed further by 13th century theologian St Thomas Aquinas, it is outlined in the formal Catechism of the Catholic Church.
It was the Church’s standard teaching on war for centuries but in recent decades, Church leadership has begun re-evaluating its stance on the theory. Since the 1960s, successive Popes have proclaimed that peace cannot exist where there is injustice.
‘There may be, and sometimes is, a clash of interests among States, each striving for its own development. When differences of this sort arise, they must be settled in a truly human way, not by armed force nor by deceit or trickery. There must be a mutual assessment of the arguments and feelings on both sides, a mature and objective investigation of the situation, and an equitable reconciliation of opposing views.’ – Pope John XXIII – Pacem In Terris
‘Peace is not merely the absence of war; nor can it be reduced solely to the maintenance of a balance of power between enemies; nor is it brought about by dictatorship. Instead, it is rightly and appropriately called an enterprise of justice. Peace results from that order structured into human society by its divine Founder, and actualised by men as they thirst after ever greater justice. . . . peace is never attained once and for all, but must be built up ceaselessly.’ – Pope Paul VI – Gaudium et Spes
Extreme disparity between nations in economic, social and educational levels provokes jealousy and discord, often putting peace in jeopardy. . . .
When we fight poverty and oppose the unfair conditions of the present, we are not just promoting human wellbeing; we are also furthering man’s spiritual and moral development, and hence we are benefiting the whole human race. – Pope Paul VI – Populorum Progressio
Pope Paul VI also returned to the call that peace was not simply the absence of warfare but rather:
‘it is fashioned by efforts directed day after day toward the establishment of the ordered universe willed by God, with a more perfect form of justice among men.’
The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace co-hosted with the global Catholic peace network Pax Christi International two major conferences (2016 and 2019) to re-examine the Just War theory. Organisers sought an explicit rejection of the ‘just war’ language because it undermined the moral imperative to work for non-violent conflict.
Pope Francis in Fratelli Tutti warned that: ‘War can easily be chosen by invoking all sorts of allegedly humanitarian, defensive or precautionary excuses, and even resorting to the manipulation of information. In recent decades, every single war has been ostensibly “justified”. The Catechism of the Catholic Church speaks of the possibility of legitimate defence by means of military force, which involves demonstrating that certain “rigorous conditions of moral legitimacy” have been met. Yet it is easy to fall into an overly broad interpretation of this potential right.’
‘We can no longer think of war as a solution, because its risks will probably always be greater than its supposed benefits. In view of this, it is very difficult to invoke the rational criteria elaborated in earlier centuries to speak of the possibility of a “just war”. Never again war!’ – Pope Francis – Fratelli Tutti
Having lamented war in Ukraine several times, Pope Francis continues to pray for peace and on 25 March in a bold move consecrated both Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
– Michele Frankeni
REFLECTION QUESTIONS AND ACTIVITIES
All Saints, All Souls and Catholic remembrance – questions and activities
Catholic remembrance is about gratitude, learning and connecting with those who are already in God’s presence. The antithesis of this is glorifying war. As Catholics remember, we consider the preciousness of each human and how God loves us all.