WAY TO WORLD PEACE IS THROUGH JUSTICE AND FORGIVENESS

VATICAN CITY, DEC 11, 2001 (VIS) - This morning in the Holy See Press Office, Cardinal Francois-Xavier Van Thuan, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, presented John Paul II's Message for the 34th World Day of Peace, January 1, 2002 on the theme: "There is No Peace Without Justice, There is No Justice Without Forgiveness."

Accompanying Cardinal Thuan were Bishop Giampaolo Crepaldi, Msgr. Frank J. Dewane, and Giorgio Filibeck, respectively secretary, under-secretary, and official of the same pontifical council.

"From the beginning of his Message," said the council president, "the Holy Father has wished to emphasize the element of hope: the shadows of evil are never sufficient to obscure the light of divine providence, on the contrary they enhance it and therefore the Church looks with unshakable faith toward the new year of 2002, despite the 'terrible killings' of September 11.
"John Paul II was moved to personal testimony, recalling the 'inhuman sufferings' caused by the totalitarianisms of the past century and expressing his deep conviction that the way to restore order in the world" is through "justice and peace."

The Message, continued the cardinal, addresses the theme of terrorism, noting that "'terrorism is built on contempt for human life' and constitutes 'a true crime against humanity'. For this reason there exists a 'right to defend oneself against terrorism', a right which 'must be exercised with respect for moral and legal limits in the choice of ends and means'."

John Paul II referred to terrorism as 'often the outcome of a fanatic fundamentalism', adding that 'what is usually referred to as fundamentalism is an attitude radically opposed to belief in God. ... Consequently, no religious leader can condone terrorism, and much less preach it'."

The Pope, affirmed Cardinal Van Thuan, speaks of the need for forgiveness, which "not only has a personal value, but also a social dimension."

Following this, the Pope invites the leaders of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam to publicly condemn terrorism "denying terrorists any form of religious or moral legitimacy."

After recalling that this January 24 the World Day of Prayer for Peace will be celebrated in Assisi, Italy, John Paul II concluded his Message with thoughts for "the victims of terrorism, their families, the peoples wounded by terrorism and war, and finally for the terrorists themselves," in order that they abandon "'every plan of violence and seek forgiveness'."

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