December 2016 Philadelphia Chapter of Pax Christi U.S.A.
In the first three centuries of Christendom converts to the Christian life were peace makers. Following Mark’s Gospel these early Christians led lives of nonviolence based on Christ’s teachings; no room for violence. “Love your enemies.” “Jesus’ nonviolent way of dealing with hate and violence was normative … Their heroic way of life, a life of love for their enemies and a willingness to suffer for their faith, deeply impressed the peoples of the ancient world.” There were huge numbers of people conerting to Christianity.
During the 5th century Sts. Ambrose and Augustine were deeply impressed with Cicero’s belief that human reasoning, natural law, could determine “reasons for a just war.” With their embrace of this just war theory “The dynamism and inspiration of Jesus’ life and teachings as they relate to issues of violence and political life were choked off.” Jesus Christ Peacemaker by Terrence J.Rynne - source of quotations.
The Just War theory has been the guiding morality for the Roman Church’s approach to war from the 5th century to the present day. However, through the years there have been some church leaders who have called for a renewed commitment to non-violence; e.g. Pope John XXlll, Encylical Pacem in Terris, and Pope Benedict XVI in his 2011 Good Friday Sermon:
“Above all we want to make the voice of Jesus heard. He was always a man of peace. It could be expected that, when God came to earth, he would be a man of great power, destroying the opposing forces … He came only with the strength of love, totally without violence, even to the point of going to the cross. This is what shows the true face of God, violence never comes from God ... This is Jesus’ true message: seek peace with means of peace and leave violence aside.”
The October 2016 CPF newsletter included information on the Nonviolence and Just Peace Conference sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and Pax Christi International on April 11-13, 2016 in Rome. The article included a suggested list of actions for Catholics to take. The following excerpts from the Nonviolence and Just Peace Statement are taken from NewsNotes, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, Vol. 41, No. 3.
“As Christians committed to a more just and peaceful world we are called to take a clear stand for creative and active nonviolence and against all forms of violence. With this conviction, and in recognition of the Jubilee Year of Mercy declared by Pope Francis …
Our assembly, people of God from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania included lay people, theologians, members of religious congregations, priests, and bishops. Many of us live in communities experiencing violence and oppression. All of us are practitioners of justice and peace. We are grateful for the message to our conference from Pope Francis: “your thoughts on revitalizing the tools of non- violence, and of active nonviolence in particular, will be a needed and positive contribution”…
They illuminate the creativity and power of nonviolent practices in many different situations of potential or actual violent conflict. Recent academic research, in fact, has confirmed that nonviolent resistance strategies are twice as effective as violent ones.
The time has come for our Church to be a living witness and to invest far greater human and financial resources in promoting a spirituality and practice of active nonviolence and in forming and training our Catholic communities in effective non-violent practices. In all of this, Jesus is our inspiration and model. …
Neither passive nor weak, Jesus’ nonviolence was the power of love in action. In vision and deed, he is the revelation and embodiment of the Nonviolent God, a truth especially illuminated in the Cross and Resurrection. He calls us to develop the virtue of nonviolent peacemaking.
Clearly, the Word of God, the witness of Jesus, should never be used to justify violence, injustice or war. We confess that the people of God have betrayed this central message of the Gospel many times, participating in wars, persecution, oppression, exploitation, and discrimination.
We believe that there is no “just war”. Too often the “just war theory” has been used to endorse rather than prevent or limit war. Suggesting that a “just war” is possible also undermines the moral imperative to develop tools and capacities for nonviolent transformation of conflict. …
We propose that the Catholic Church develop and consider shifting to a Just Peace approach based on Gospel nonviolence. A Just Peace approach offers a vision and an ethic to build peace as well as to prevent, defuse, and to heal the damage of violent conflict. This ethic includes a commitment to human dignity and thriving relationships, with specific criteria, virtues, and practices to guide our actions. We recognize that peace requires justice and justice requires peacemaking. …
In every age, the Holy Spirit graces the Church with the wisdom to respond to the challenges of its time. In response to what is a global epidemic of violence, which Pope Francis has labeled a “world war in installments”, we are being called to invoke, pray over, teach and take decisive action. With our communities and organizations, we look forward to continue collaborating with the Holy See and the global Church to advance Gospel nonviolence.”
Joe Bradley
Joe is a member of CPF
Sources:
Catholic Nonvilence Initiative: https://nonviolencejustpeace.net/
Jesus Christ Peacemaker, Terrence J.Rynne
Nonviolenceand Just Peace Statement are taken from NewsNotes, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, Vol. 41, No. 3
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