In the New Testament and in the writings of the early church fathers, the 'pacifism' that rejects the violence of the 'secular' is evident. Despite the persecution of the Roman Empire, Christians who faithfully followed the teachings of Jesus chose nonviolent resistance, martyrdom. However, the fast-growing church was recognized as the state religion of the empire, and the church's teachings about war and the use of force began to change.
Instead of giving up violence, the church, which became part of the “world,” began to think about how to justify and conduct a just war. Since then, the theory of 'just war', derived from St. Augustine, has long represented the church's position on war.
At the turn of the 20th century, the church, which suffered the ravages of two world wars, had to reflect more deeply on the justification for war. And with the advent of nuclear weapons capable of destroying mankind, the perception that war could be “controlled” changed.
Pope Pius XII's "On Public Prayers for Peace" (Summi Maeroris) is an encyclical made against this background. This encyclical, published on July 19, 1950, during the Korean War, urges the church, to “pray for peace,” and reminds us of the horrors of war. The Encyclical made it clear that the new weapons introduced by the advancement of technology destroyed not only soldiers but also civilians and the weak. References to those who suppress religious freedom in China and Eastern European countries are also noteworthy. “Not through the use of force, but through the truth.”
Despite reports of persecution and physical clashes with communism around the world, the Holy See reaffirmed the Church's mission for peace. In an interview with the press on July 4, Pope Francis revealed that Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Prime Minister, met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. He also expressed his will, "if the president of Russia gives me a small window to serve for peace, he can go to Russia before Ukraine." Together with the pilgrim Pope who humbles himself for peace, let us pray more earnestly for the cessation of this evil war that can't be justified.
The just war theory needs six conditions to be justified and in most cases are never tried: 1)Just cause, 2)lawfully declared by lawful authority, 3) good intention, 4) all others methods to solve the problem have been tried, 5)reasonable chance for success, 6) proportionate to the end the war seeks to achieve.
Using means appropriate, the innocents should not be harmed and international agreed conventions regulating war observed.
