Cardinal Zuppi and the President of the Jewish Community of Bologna signed a joint declaration against the war in Gaza. The declaration condemns the massacres of innocent civilians. The statement calls for peace and rejects anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and Christianophobia. The declaration urges for a cessation of military operations and missile launches. It appeals for the release of hostages, humanitarian aid, and an end to the occupation.
about 1 month ago
Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, the Archbishop of Bologna, and Daniele De Paz, President of the Jewish Community of Bologna, have signed a joint declaration condemning the war in Gaza 1. This significant interreligious initiative underscores a shared belief that "no cause can justify the massacre of innocents" 1. Their statement represents a unified cry from "wounded humanity" against the horrors of violence, emphasizing that peace is always possible through encounter and trust 1.
The joint declaration strongly appeals for an immediate cessation of hostilities, urging all parties to "let the weapons fall silent" and for military operations in Gaza and missile launches toward Israel to cease 1. They demand the release of hostages, the return of bodies, and guaranteed medical care and food for the wounded and hungry 1. Furthermore, the declaration calls for the permission of humanitarian corridors and an end to the occupation of land 1.
Cardinal Zuppi and De Paz explicitly condemn "every terrorist act that targets defenseless civilians," highlighting the tragic loss of "too many children" 1. They assert that "no security will ever be built on hatred" 1. The declaration also firmly rejects all forms of antisemitism, Islamophobia, and Christianophobia, advocating for mutual respect and understanding among faiths 1.
The statement posits that genuine justice for the Palestinian people and security for the Israeli people can only be achieved through mutual recognition, respect for fundamental rights, and a willingness to engage in dialogue 1. They urge Italian and international institutions to demonstrate courage and clarity, encouraging them to open spaces for encounter and support all "bold paths to peace" 1.
How does the Church promote peace and justice globally?
The Catholic Church promotes peace and justice globally through various means, rooted in its social teaching and mission to serve humanity. This promotion is understood as integral human development, emphasizing the dignity of every person and the common good .
Peace is not merely the absence of war but is founded on a correct understanding of the human person and requires an order based on justice and charity . It is a universal value and duty, rooted in God, and is the fruit of justice and love . Justice, in this context, is broadly understood as respecting the equilibrium of every dimension of the human person . Peace is threatened when human dignity is not respected, and civil life is not directed to the common good .
The Church's social teaching, which guides its efforts, emphasizes that peace is built on four pillars: truth, justice, love, and freedom . These principles are essential for establishing new methods of relationships in human society .
Integral Human Development: The Church views integral human development as the "new name for peace" . This development is not limited to economic or technological dimensions but includes the acquisition of culture, respect for the dignity of others, and the recognition of God as the author and end of these blessings . It implies a transition from less humane conditions to more humane ones, ensuring that people are not subjected to sub-human social, economic, cultural, and political conditions . This theological foundation underpins the Church's struggle for personal dignity, justice, and social peace .
Promotion of Human Dignity and Rights: The Church consistently defends the cause of human dignity and inviolable human rights . Proclaiming Jesus Christ is seen as revealing people's inalienable dignity, received from God through the Incarnation . The defense and promotion of human rights are considered essential for building a peaceful society and the integral development of individuals, peoples, and nations . The Church's social teaching rests on the concept of the dignity of the person, revealed in the Incarnate Word, and on universal moral norms grounded in creation and written in the human heart .
Advocacy for Justice and Solidarity: The Church actively works to establish and develop justice among individuals and social groups, recognizing the equal dignity of every person regardless of sex, race, nationality, or religion . It emphasizes the importance of solidarity, urging nations with material abundance not to neglect those afflicted by poverty and hunger . Pope Francis highlights that building peace requires promoting and exercising justice with truth and love, and everyone contributing to integral human development following the logic of solidarity . The Church strives to overcome selfish, individualistic, and group interests to achieve a more just and integral society .
International Relations and Diplomacy: The Holy See engages in diplomatic efforts to promote peace and justice globally. It advocates for relations among peoples and political communities to be justly regulated according to principles of reason, equity, law, and negotiation, excluding violence, war, discrimination, intimidation, and deceit . The Holy See is convinced that the practice of justice is the most solid foundation for establishing and maintaining peace, and it seeks to replace violence with negotiated, just, and honorable solutions . The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, for instance, studies the Church's social teaching, disseminates it, and cultivates relationships with international organizations to achieve peace and justice .
Addressing Threats to Peace: The Church recognizes and addresses various threats to peace, including excessive self-interest, exclusive blocs, impediments to the development of peoples, the arms race, social and economic disparities, injustice, violence, hatred, terrorism, and systems that prevent people from deciding their own future . It also highlights that social injustices, the power of money, and an uncontrolled global economy can wound the personal dignity of entire peoples and continents, making it harder for the Gospel message to be accepted .
The Church's global promotion of peace and justice is a multifaceted endeavor, deeply rooted in its theological understanding of human dignity and the common good. Through its social teaching, advocacy for human rights, emphasis on integral development, and diplomatic engagement, the Church continuously strives to build a world founded on truth, justice, love, and freedom, where all individuals and peoples can flourish in harmony .