 |
Social Justice SecretariatGeneral
Curia of the Society of Jesus
Borgo
S. Spirito, 4
C.P.
6139 / 00195 Roma-Prati (Italy) +39
06689 77393 (tel)+39 06688 06418
(fax) <sjs@sjcuria.org> |
To
the Provincial Co-ordinators of Social Apostolate
WAR
IS A DEFEAT FOR HUMANITY
|
My
dear Companions in the Lord,
In
His address to the Diplomatic Corps, John Paul II emphatically proclaimed:
“War is not always inevitable, it is always a defeat for humanity.”[1]
These anguished words of the Pope reflect the Holy See’s growing concern
regarding the effects of violence and war on the fragile fabric of human
coexistence. In his address to the United Nations General Assembly in October
1965, Paul VI spoke of the solemn pledge to be taken by all: “No more war,
war never again!”[2]
Expressing similar sentiments, John Paul II, on the occasion of the war
in the Persian Gulf repeated the cry: “Never again war!”[3]
Praising the efforts of those struggling for peace, He described as a new
sign of hope “the spread, at many levels of public opinion, of a new sensitivity
ever more opposed to war as an instrument for the resolution of conflicts
between peoples.”[4]
In
response to the tragic violence of September 11, the United States Conference
of Catholic Bishops, in a Statement on Iraq issued on November 13,
2002 made clear that, “based on the facts that are known to us, we continue
to find it difficult to justify the resort to war against Iraq, lacking
clear and adequate evidence of an imminent attack of a grave nature.” In
the same spirit, in a letter addressed to President Bush on October 19,
2002, the Jesuit Provincials of the United States categorically expressed
their “strong moral reservations about the use of military force in Iraq.”
To these voices we must add the testimonies of many Jesuits around the
world who, in trying circumstances, are spreading the message of dialogue
and peace in the midst of violence, and the concerns of many others who
have urged the Social Justice Secretariat to support these efforts for
peace. In
fidelity to our commitment to be “Servants of Christ’s mission,”[5]
and at this critical juncture, our determination to work for
a peace anchored firmly in justice, must be guided by a considered and
prayerful reflection on the main reasons that militate against war on Iraq.
We believe, with many others, that the reasons for a pre-emptive attack
against Iraq are not convincing, and the effects of a possible war will
turn out to be so devastating that it becomes very difficult, if not impossible,
to justify a military intervention. Our belief is based on the following
considerations. (1)The
‘doctrine’ of a pre-emptive war is neither in accordance with UN doctrine
and law,[6]
nor morally defensible.[7]
The application of this doctrine would open the door to an infinite war,
a ‘war without end’. (2)Rather
than bringing a stable peace in the region (Middle East), a war against
Iraq would heighten the tensions between Muslims and Christians. The seeds
of dialogue between them so patiently sown would be trampled in a spiral
of violence and intolerance. (3)The
willingness to incur massive military expenditure that destroys life seems
to stand in sharp contrast with the unwillingness to promote, with the
same determination, the sustainable development of all. In a world of growing
inequalities, where the majority lack basic necessities; in a world where
trade and financial structures benefit the rich rather than the poor countries,
many continue to question with increasing discomfort whether the true motives
of war against Iraq have to do more with economic than security reasons. (4)In
the new emerging world political order, vital decisions on global security
affecting the lives of people across continents are proposed to be taken
unilaterally by the leaders of a few industrialised countries outside the
control of the UN, and disregarding their obligation to build a broader
consensus through legitimate democratic processes. (5)Experience
has shown us that the poor are always the main victims of violence and
war. As Jesuits we are “friends in the Lord,” and this “means being ‘friends
with the poor’, and
we cannot turn aside when our friends are in need.”[8]
In a situation of generalised violence, and when war is projected as inevitable,
we cannot turn our gaze away from our professed friends, the poor, especially
women and children. From their perspective, there can be no
justification for war. It
is for these reasons that our efforts in favour of peace assume an added
urgency. As far as it is feasible, and keeping in mind local conditions,
our struggle against continuous violence and in favour of peace needs to
be strengthened, become more articulate, and integrate itself into a number
of national and international initiatives. To attain these objectives,
Jesuits in the social justice sector must contribute, at the Province level,
to create proper fora where other Jesuits, and our collaborators can creatively
reflect on these issues, prepare some plans of public action, and discern
concrete ways of collaborating with other groups. In
the end, our long-term efforts, as John Paul II has repeatedly stated,
must take cognisance of the obvious fact “that there is serious disorder
in world affairs”, and that we must “work together for a new constitutional
organisation of the human family”[9]
capable of being perceived as an objective and impartial guarantor of rights. Rooted
in the faith of Jesus Christ who called us to work for His Kingdom, we
join many sisters and brothers in the struggle for a world of justice,
truth and peace. A world where true peace can become a victory for humanity. Fernando
Franco SJ Secretary Social
Justice Secretariat Rome February
7, 2003  |