Christians Aware Action Card - April 2024: 'War is always a defeat'

Every day, thousands become victims of armed conflict, facing injury, death, or the heartbreak of displacement. Wars disproportionately devastate civilian lives, with guided bombs, missiles, and artillery shattering communities and infrastructure. Beyond the battlefields, the shadow of gun violence looms large; globally, it claims over 500 lives daily.

"War is always a defeat - always, always". Pope Francis was speaking to a crowd in St Peter's Square in Rome last October as he urged the world to join in prayer for resolution of the mounting crisis in the Holy Land.

In his Christmas 2023 Message he said: "To say 'no' to war means saying 'no' to weaponry. The human heart is weak and impulsive; if we find instruments of death in our hands, sooner or later we will use them. And how can we even speak of peace, when arms production, sales and trade are on the rise?"

More recently, on 8 April, the Vatican issued a declaration 'Dignitas Infinita' on Human Dignity. Paragraph 39 said: "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!"

In the UK Pax Christi England and Wales takes the view that no legitimacy should be given to military violence. Every Ash Wednesday, penitential services are organised to repent the UK maintaining Trident nuclear weapons. And members join other Christian protestors outside Arms Fairs, such as the one every two years in September at the ExCel Exhibition Centre in East London. They challenge the military display of the most lethal weapons available in the world by arms manufacturers and governments.

Ecumenically, the churches are active in the Peace Education Network which is committed to building a culture of peace and nonviolence.

Some Possible Actions

'Teach Peace' is a project of the Peace Education Network. Resources are available on topics including challenging antisemitism and Islamophobia, conflict transformation, religion and peace, and the human rights effects of the arms trade.

See www.peace-education.org.uk/teach-peace

The Summer 2022 issue of the Columban Social Justice newsletter 'Vocation for Justice' took the theme 'War is a choice, and so is Peace.'

See: https://columbans.co.uk/justice-peace/10095/vocation-for-justice-war-is-a-choice-and-so-is-peace/

Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) is a UK-based organisation working to end the international arms trade. Sign up for email updates on campaigns: https://caat.org.uk/

Prayer: May we become instruments of Peace

God, our Creator and Redeemer, may we see the sorrow of war in the eyes of those who suffer and have known only violence in their lives. Give us a voice for those who have no voice and are not heard; those who know that there is no tomorrow in war, and that the violence of weapons destroys both the beauty of creation and the joy of life. That way, with your help, will we become true instruments of your peace. Amen.

Pax Christi 2023 Prayer Card

This action card was prepared by Ellen Teague of the Columban Justice, Peace and Ecology Team.
See: https://columbans.co.uk/update/justice-peace/