War No More!

“War No More!”  These words were used by Pope Leo XIV this week.  It is an urgent plea in the midst of the continuing wars between Ukraine and Russia and Israel and Hamas.  The plea comes on the 80^th anniversary of when World War II ended in Europe.  It also comes when a new armed conflict has emerged between Pakistan and India.  In the midst of multiple conflicts and wars in the world, Pope Leo XIV said, “We are now confronting a third world war piecemeal as Pope Francis reminded us.”  It is in this understanding that Pope Leo XIV uses the words of Pope Paul VI, “War no more!” (AC Wimmer, “Pope Leo calls on youth to ‘accept the invitation of the Church and Christ the Lord’.” Catholic News Agency.  May 11, 2025.  https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/264039/pope-leo-prays-first-public-regina-coeli, emphasis added.)

Will the present armed conflict between India and Pakistan continue?  It is difficult to know.  Three days ago, a cease-fire was announced.  However, there were further armed attacks within hours of the cease-fear agreement being announced.  Did someone literally not get the message that a cease-fire was in place or did someone not care?  It is difficult to know as it also seems unclear who started this present conflict.  India said it was responding from attacks within Pakistan.  Pakistan says they did not fire first.  Some say it might have been started by a terrorist group operating within Pakistan.

Time will tell how the situation between Pakistan and India will go.  For now, only God knows.  At this point, it might be more appropriate to think of the situation as a “conflict” rather than a “war.”  However, it is already time to ask if it is a just war (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2309, cf. my “Just War Theory” page).  The seventh criteria reminds us that war must always be a last resort.  The second criteria (comparative justice) and the sixth criteria (proportionality) remind us that any military response must be limited in proportion to the original cause of the conflict.

Whatever the reason for the conflict between Pakistan and India, whatever the reason for any war, our first response must always be the same.  We need to pray for an immediate end to the conflict.  For continuing conflicts, we pray that innocent lives are not lost and that the voice of reason prevails to bring peace.

When we use the term “war”, it is generally used for armed conflict.  However, it is used in other forms.  Presently we see the trade war that is being “fought” between nations.  One might ask who started it.  Did the United States start it with its broad new tariffs?  The United States says it is responding to unfair tariffs on U.S. goods abroad.  Regardless of why or who started, it seems the U.S. jumped past starting with diplomatic talks about the tariffs in place in other countries, by raising tariffs on goods from numerous other countries entering the U.S. 

Since the increased tariffs were put in place, there have been new diplomatic talks.  I wonder if the countries were already ready to negotiate without the high tariffs.  Was our U.S. government being a bully when it began/escalated the present trade war?  We need to remember that might does not make right.  We should also remember that while we are a powerful nation, the big guy does not always win.  Goliath was defeated by a youth named David who would become king.

In choosing our course of action, we do well to remember the Golden Rule, “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12).

In thinking of types of war, I also think of the present efforts in the U.S. to expel undocumented immigrants from our country (see my February article, “Treating Them with Dignity”, when these present efforts began).  I do not recall anyone calling it a war, yet the President is attempting to use the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 to expel some of the undocumented immigrants in our country without due process.  It is also unclear to me who they are presently focusing on.  Some of the efforts are clearly against undocumented immigrants who have committed other violent crimes independent of their entering our country illegally yet other undocumented immigrants are effected.  Clearly, the law must be upheld, but, if we wish to be in the right, our actions must respect the dignity of all people.  Why would we not use due process?  Are we no better than the criminals if we do not follow due process? 

I am also concerned that some of the undocumented immigrants being expelled are being sent to third-party countries.  It would be one thing to send them back to their native countries.  It is another thing to send them to third-party countries.  Why should the third-party countries have to deal with them?  Are we just dumping our problems on innocent countries? 

It seems to me that some of the actions of our U.S. government are reminiscent of isolationism.  Isolationism is not a Christian response.  Jesus tells us the second greatest commandment is to love our neighbor.  Jesus also tells us to love our enemies (see Matthew 5:43-48, Luke 6:27-36).

War does not end with hate.  Hate only brings more hate.  The only thing that can overcome hate is love.

You might want to say they are criminals who deserve to be punished.  I respond that due process must be followed to establish that they are criminals. 

I also wish to point out that we are all sinners.  On our own we deserve Hell as our punishment.  However, God is merciful.  Jesus died for our sins.  This is God’s mercy.  Jesus tells us, “Be merciful, just as [also] your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). 

This does not mean the guilty should receive no punishment.  Even when God forgives us our sins, we still face the temporal consequences of our actions.

We need to think globally.  God does.  Why shouldn’t we?  Here I think of what we heard last Sunday from Revelation 7:9, “After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue.”  Heaven is open to all people.

Jesus started his public ministry with the Jews, but He performed miracles for non-Jews.  Before ascending to Heaven, He said, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).  Everything that God offers to us, He offers to everyone.

Who is our neighbor?  Is it limited by national borders?  There is over 2,700 miles between Los Angeles and New York City.  There is only 139 miles between Tijuana and Los Angeles.  How can one say a person from New York City is a neighbor to the people of Los Angeles, but the people of Tijuana are not?

If you think that I am being political here, please know that is not my intent in any way.  I am not talking about politics.  I am talking about what it means to be a Christian disciple.  As I have already said above, this means loving our neighbors, even those who are our enemies. 

It also means treating every single person with dignity.  Yes, a criminal loses some privileges when they commit crimes.  Yet, they remain created in the image of God.  We need to help them see that.  We need God’s help to see the dignity He has given to those who attack us and commit crimes against us (for more on dignity see “Dignitas Infinita” written by the Vatican Dicastery for the  Doctrine of the Faith in 2024 and the two articles I wrote on it, Part I and Part II. For more on dignity, please also see Part I in my series of video presents, Treating Life with Dignity and Love).

This is true of our government.  It is true of us as individuals.  It is also true of our Church.  Our Catholic faith does not place at war with people who live lifestyles contrary to our faith.  We are to love them.  It is sin that we are fighting against.  We are trying to save the sinners while bringing an end to their sins and our sins.  Please remember what Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, [and] from now on do not sin any more” (John 8:11).

How are we to better the conflicts we face between people?

1. We need to pray for God’s help.
2. We need to stop listening to human ways and follow Jesus as the way and the truth and the life (John 14:6, cf.  my article “Many Voices: Who Should We Listen To”).
3. We need to seek real and genuine dialogue with all people (see Pope Francis’ encyclical, Fratelli Tutti and the article I wrote on what he said about dialogue, “Seeking Real Dialogue”).  What we need is truth, truth that comes from God.

Peace

Fr. Jeff