Cardinal Parolin: ‘The concept of just war needs to be reviewed’

VN—At an event held at the Italian Embassy to the Holy See in Rome, the Vatican Secretary of State says Pope John XXIII’ Encyclical Letter ‘Pacem in Terris’ is a testament, and affirms that the concept of ‘just war’ needs to be reviewed.

Even if sometimes diplomatic efforts seem to produce small results, “we must never get tired or give in to the temptation of resignation”, Cardinal Pietro Parolin said on Tuesday. “Peace is the duty of everyone” and begins “in our daily lives, in our cities, in our countries, in the world”, he remarked. The Vatican Secretary of State was speaking at the Italian Embassy to the Holy See in Rome on the occasion of the award ceremony of the Ambassadors’ Literary Prize.

The award, established in 2019 at the initiative of a group of Heads of Mission accredited to the Holy See, is addressed to authors of Italian-written books intended for the general public on topics relating to culture and Christian values, the relations between Christian Churches and States, the history of the Churches and interreligious dialogue.

Pacem in Terris is a testament

This year the recognition was awarded to the book “Può la Chiesa fermare la guerra? Un’inchiesta a sessant’anni dalla Pacem in Terris” (“Can the Church stop the war? An investigation sixty years after Pacem in Terris”) by Italian RAI journalist Piero Damosso.

The volume reflects on Pope St. John XXIII’s second Encyclical Letter on peace in the world and, through the proposals and analysis contained in over fifty interviews, tries to find an answer to the fundamental question raised in the title: “Can the Church stop war and how?”.

In his remarks during the ceremony, Cardinal Parolin recalled the genesis and historical context in which this landmark papal document was born which was “built on scores of other pronouncements”, he said.

Cardinal Parolin reiterated that universal peace is a good that concerns everyone, also recalling the historic radio message, on Holy Saturday 13 April 1963, in which Pope John XXIII drew attention to the need for peace with God, with all peoples, and in families.

That Encyclical, the Secretary of State remarked, “is a testament”: “Those very intense words of Roncalli are a heritage to be safeguarded and cultivated,  each taking on their own responsibilities “.

Cardinal Parolin,  therefore, stressed the need to insist on diplomatic efforts in the face of the current conflicts in various parts of the world, with the certainty that they will bear fruit. He called for a choral effort and cooperation to truly be artisans of peace as Pope Francis urges.

Fraternity is the true way to justice

The Secretary of State praised Damosso’s book ”for bringing to the fore the profound desire for peace with an interesting method”, by making several witnesses and academics speak. What emerges, he said, is an all-round analysis on peace.

His words echoed those of the award’s jury that noted the journalist’s  thorough investigation shows that “Despite not having the real power to stop conflicts, the Church, can call on the universal human conscience to act so as to break down the walls of hatred and enmity, indicating fraternity as the true way to justice, solidarity, inclusion and care of the earth.”

The jury further remarked that “the Author also highlights how the power of prayer of God’s people can encourage projects of encounter and negotiation”.

The concept of ‘just war’ needs to be reviewed