No ‘just war’ conclude Catholics

Catholic gathering calls for a clear stand for creative and active nonviolence

Participants at a ‘Nonviolence and Just Peace’ gathering held in Rome on 11-13 April have issued a statement declaring that they are ‘called to take a clear stand for creative and active nonviolence and against all forms of violence’.

The eighty participants have called on Pope Francis to write an encyclical letter redefining the church’s teachings on violence.

The statement said: ‘We believe that there is no “just war”. Too often the “just war theory” has been used to endorse rather than prevent or limit war. Suggesting that a “just war” is possible also undermines the moral imperative to develop tools and capacities for nonviolent transformation of conflict. We need a new framework that is consistent with Gospel nonviolence.’

The gathering was co-convened by Pax Christi International, the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and a number of other international Catholic organisations.

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