Landmark Vatican conference rejects just war theory, asks for encyclical on nonviolence
Joshua J. McElwee | Apr. 14, 2016
VATICAN CITY The participants of a first-of-its-kind Vatican conference have bluntly rejected the Catholic church's long-held teachings on just war theory, saying they have too often been used to justify violent conflicts and the global church must reconsider Jesus' teachings on nonviolence.
Members of a three-day event co-hosted by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and the international Catholic peace organization Pax Christi have also strongly called on Pope Francis to consider writing an encyclical letter, or some other "major teaching document," reorienting the church's teachings on violence.
"There is no 'just war,'" the some 80 participants of the conference state in an appeal they released Thursday morning.
"Too often the 'just war theory' has been used to endorse rather than prevent or limit war," they continue. "Suggesting that a 'just war' is possible also undermines the moral imperative to develop tools and capacities for nonviolent transformation of conflict."
http://ncronline.org/news/vatican/landmark-vatican-conference-rejects-just-war-theory-asks-encyclical-nonviolence
potone
(1,701 posts)I hope Pope Francis acts on it. I am sure that he can see the merits of that position, but it will overturn long-standing Church doctrine.
rug
(82,333 posts)even more important than its rejection of an already discredited theory of war.
potone
(1,701 posts)There are far too many wars in the world, and it is a very lucrative business for those who supply the arms. I am sure that this Pope will see the connection between economic inequality and war.
rug
(82,333 posts)The opposite is equally true.