Vatican City, 26 October 2015 (VIS) -
“You have come from different countries to reflect together on some
of the current challenges of international humanitarian law, relating
to the protection of human dignity during non-international armed
conflicts and the so-called 'new' armed conflicts. This is,
unfortunately, a theme of great current relevance, especially if we
think of the intensification of violence and the multiplication of
theatres of war in various areas around the world, such as Africa,
Europe and the Middle East”, said the Pope today as he received in
audience the participants in the fourth training course in
international humanitarian law for military chaplains, organised by
the Congregation for Bishops, the Pontifical Council “Justice and
Peace” and the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.
Francis highlighted that war ruptures
relationships between brothers and nations. “It also disfigures
those who are witnesses to such atrocities. Many soldiers return
after military action or from peacemaking missions with very real
inner wounds. War can leave an indelible mark on them. Indeed, war
always leaves an indelible mark”.
“It is therefore necessary to ask
what the best ways are to cure the spiritual wounds of servicemen
who, having experienced war, have witnessed atrocious crimes. These
people and their families require a specific form of pastoral
attention, a care that enables them to feel the maternal closeness of
the Church. The role of the military chaplain is that of accompanying
them and supporting them on their journey, always offering a
consoling and fraternal presence”.
“International humanitarian law seeks
to safeguard the essential principles of humanity in the context of
war, which is in itself dehumanising. It aims to protect those who do
not participate in the conflict, such as the civil population or
healthcare and religious workers, and those who no longer participate
actively, such as the wounded and prisoners. … In order to fulfil
its aim of humanising the effects of armed conflict, humanitarian law
deserves to be better known and promoted among all soldiers and armed
forces, including non-state forces, such as security personnel and
police. In addition, it needs to be developed further so as to face
the new realities of war which today, unfortunately, involve the use
of increasingly deadly weapons”.
“However, as Christians we remain
profoundly convinced that the final aim, worthy of humanity and of
the human community, is the abolition of war. Therefore, we must
always make efforts to build bridges that unite rather than walls
that separate; we must always help to look for a glimmer of hope for
mediation and reconciliation. … In this period, in which we are
living a piecemeal third world war, you are called upon to nurture in
soldiers and their families the spiritual and ethical dimension so
that it may help them face the difficulties and often devastating
questions inherent in the special service they carry out for their
homeland and for humanity”.
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