| On 25 March [2003], the Holy See released a Message of the Holy
Father (dated 24 March) to the military chaplains attending a course of
formation in humanitarian law jointly organized by the Congregation for
Bishops and the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. The Holy
Father noted that it is Christian motivations that have developed the
body of international humanitarian law that aims at lessening the
ferocity of war. He reminded the chaplains that they should instil the
duty to respect the dignity of the military adversary, the dignity of
civilians and the inalienable dignity of each human being involved in
armed conflicts.... Peace is only achieved
through love
Dear Military Chaplains,
1. I am pleased to extend to you my greeting on the occasion of the
course of formation in humanitarian law, organized jointly by the
Congregation for Bishops and the Pontifical Council for Justice and
Peace.
I desire to express my pleasure at the care these two Vatican offices
have taken for some time to prepare this session in accord with the
commitment made by the Holy See during the 27th International Conference
of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent (1999).
Moreover, I also wish to thank the qualified experts who have generously
contributed their outstanding expertise for the success of the course.
Almost all the Military Ordinariates have sent their representatives to
your course: this proves the value of the initiative that is meant to be
a clear sign of the importance that the Holy See attaches to
humanitarian law as a protection of the dignity of the human person even
in the tragic context of war.
Body of humanitarian law developed from Christian principles and
motivation
2. It is precisely when armed conflict erupts that the need for
regulations to curb the brutality of the warfare becomes urgent.
Down the centuries, the consciousness of this urgent need has gradually
led to the formation of a real juridical corpus, defined as
"international humanitarian law". This body of law has been developed
thanks to the maturation of principles inherent in the Christian
message.
As I have had the opportunity to say in the past to the members of the
International Institute of Humanitarian Law, Christianity "offers this
development a basis in its affirmation of man's autonomous value and
pre-eminent dignity as a person with his own individuality, complete in
his essential constitution, and endowed with rational consciousness and
freedom of will. In past centuries too, the Christian view of man
inspired the tendency to mitigate the traditional ferocity of war, so as
to ensure more humane treatment for those involved in the hostilities.
It made a decisive contribution to the affirmation, both morally and in
practice, of the rules of humaneness and justice that are now, in duly
modernized and specified form, the nucleus of our present-day
international conventions" (18 May 1982; ORE, 14 June 1982, p. 12).
Military chaplains must witness everywhere to the inalienable dignity
of the human person
3. Military chaplains, inspired by Christ's love, are called by their
special vocation to witness that even in the midst of the harshest
combats, it is always possible, and only right, to respect the dignity
of the military adversary, the dignity of civilian victims, the
indelible dignity of every human being involved in armed conflict. In
this way, moreover, the reconciliation is fostered that will be
necessary for re-establishing peace when the war is over.
Inter arma caritas (charity under arms) was the significant
password of the International Committee of the Red Cross in the early
days, an eloquent symbol of the Christian motivation that inspired the
Genevan, Henri Dunant, who founded this admirable organization, whose
motivation should never be forgotten.
As Catholic military chaplains, in addition to carrying out your
specific religious ministry, you must not fail to make your contribution
to giving military staff an appropriate education in the values that
motivate humanitarian law and make it not merely a juridical code, but
first and foremost an ethical code.
War, not a means of resolving disputes, except in the case of
legitimate defence
4. Your course is taking place at a difficult moment in history, when
the world once again is hearing the clash of arms. The thought of the
victims and the destruction and suffering caused by armed conflict
brings ever-deeper anxiety and great sorrow.
By now, it should be clear to all that the use of war as a means of
resolving disputes between States was rejected, even before the UN
Charter, by the consciences of the majority of humanity, except in the
case of legitimate defence against an aggressor. The vast contemporary
movement in favour of peace
—
which, according to the teaching of the Second Vatican Council, is more
than "the simple absence of war" (Gaudium et spes, n. 78)
—
demonstrates this conviction of people of every continent and culture.
In this context, the influence of the different religions in sustaining
the quest for peace is a reason for comfort and hope. In our view of
faith, peace, even if it is the fruit of political agreements and
understanding between individuals and peoples, is the gift of God, whom
we should insistently invoke with prayer and penance. Without conversion
of heart there is no peace! Peace can only be achieved through love!
Right now we are all asked to work and pray so that war may disappear
from the horizon of humanity.
With these hopes, I formulate my best wishes that the course of
formation may be profitable to you, dear chaplains, to whom I cordially
impart my Apostolic Blessing which I gladly extend to the organizers,
lecturers and other collaborators.
From the Vatican, 24 March 2003.
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