We welcome Pope Francis’ new encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, released on 4th October. Some quotes from the text:
(258) 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 nowadays to invoke the rational criteria elaborated in earlier centuries to speak of the possibility of a “just war”. Never again war![242]
(255). There are two extreme situations that may come to be seen as solutions in especially dramatic circumstances, without realizing that they are false answers that do not resolve the problems they are meant to solve and ultimately do no more than introduce new elements of destruction in the fabric of national and global society. These are war and the death penalty.
To help you find ways into this long document, Father Rob Esdaile has given us his initial thoughts. Pax Christi International has made a response.
Anna Rowlands, commenting on the text says, ‘When people ask, “Who is my neighbour?” often what they really want to know is “Who is not my neighbour?” or “Who can I legitimately say is not my responsibility. In contrast she says the teaching in the document ‘helps everyone to develop their full potential and flourish’.
Daniel P. Horan unpacks the links to Saint Francis and his encounter with Sultan Malek al-Kamil at Damietta.
Joshua McElwee reports here, sharing thoughts from Marie Dennis of the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative and Teresia Wamuyu Wachira, Co-President of Pax Christi International.