High Vatican diplomat: Modern conflicts are not considered a “just war”

ROME: The Commission for Justice and Peace in the Holy Land recently published a new document condemning the instrumentalization of the term “just war” as a weapon in the Gaza conflict. The Vatican Secretary of State has now stated that the concept is being reconsidered.

When asked about the document, Italian Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said: “We know that the question of just war is being discussed a lot today, because it is a concept of social teaching.”

“There is a just war, a defensive war, but given the weapons available today, this concept becomes very difficult,” he said, adding: “In fact, it is being discussed. I don’t think there is a final position yet, but it is a concept that is being revised.”

Regarding the current war in the Gaza Strip, which broke out after Israel retaliated for a surprise attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, that killed 1,200 people and has so far claimed the lives of more than 30,000 Palestinians, Parolin said: “In that sense, it is never a just war.”

“One can only speak of a just war in the context of defence, in the case of a defensive war,” he said.

The document from the Commission for Justice and Peace in the Holy Land, released earlier this week, argues that the so-called just war theory in Catholic social teaching is being used “in a way that was never intended: to justify the deaths of tens of thousands.”

“We cannot allow words like ‘just’ to be used to justify injustice, cruelty and devastation. We must stand up for the integrity of the language because we remain convinced that true justice is still possible if we hold on to its promise,” the document says.

Referring to the ongoing Gaza war, the document states: “Neither Hamas’ attacks nor Israel’s devastating war in response meet the criteria of a ‘just war’ according to Catholic teaching,” and: “Manipulating the language of just war theory is not just about words: it has tangible, fatal consequences.”

The document called the application of just war theory to modern conflicts, particularly those lasting decades, “questionable” and suggested “that ‘just’ wars could exist only in very rare cases.”

Parolin, who spoke to journalists on Monday on the sidelines of a book presentation, also commented on the current war in Ukraine, including the renewed calls by Hungarian Prime Minister and President of the Council of Europe Viktor Orbán for a ceasefire.

“Until now, the Ukrainians have always rejected this proposal. This is nothing new for Orbán. Now he is doing it as President of the Council of the European Union, but this proposal for a ceasefire has been on the table for a long time,” said Parolin.

Last Friday, shortly after taking office as President of the EU Council, Orbán paid an unannounced visit to Ukraine and met privately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Orbán, who frequently criticises Western support for Ukraine and is considered an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, said in a statement after his meeting with Zelensky that he had asked the Ukrainian president to “consider whether … a quick ceasefire could be used to speed up peace negotiations”.

Zelensky did not immediately respond, but later published a post on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) saying Orbán’s visit to Ukraine was a “clear signal to all of us about the importance of unity in Europe and joint steps… We discussed the path to a just, lasting and fair peace.”

In his remarks, Parolin pointed out that Ukraine had “always been very reluctant” to accept a ceasefire proposal, “because they said that unless there were guarantees, it could only be a pause and then a new start in a stronger and more brutal way.”

“We hope that there can really be a ceasefire and then negotiations, that is our hope,” he said.

He also praised a recent prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine, which resulted in the release of two Ukrainian Greek Catholic priests arrested in November 2022. The Vatican had assisted in the negotiations.

Parolin described cooperation on prisoner exchanges as “a mechanism that works” and expressed his belief that the Vatican’s role in the matter could potentially open the door to further initiatives.

“I can imagine that this activity will continue. I think it is a very positive activity and it can create conditions that favor peace and eventually negotiations,” he said, but noted that the prisoner exchange is different from the Vatican’s attempt to facilitate the return of Ukrainian children who were forcibly sent to Russia.

The Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Bologna, President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, has been working in this area for a year in coordination with Russian, Ukrainian, American and Chinese politicians.

During his recent visit to Lebanon, Parolin addressed the ongoing national crisis as well as Hezbollah’s continued engagement with Israeli forces in the war in Gaza.

Regarding the political crisis in Lebanon, which has been without a president since the end of Michel Aoun’s term in October 2022, Parolin said the first step towards a solution would be “the election of the President of the Republic.”

“Everyone has said it: what is immediately obvious is the importance and urgency of a president,” he said, expressing his belief that securing the Christian presence and role in the Lebanese system was key to overcoming the country’s “institutional crisis.”

While electing a president will not be a “magic solution,” Parolin said, “the problems will be addressed when all the institutional leaders are in place.”

He praised the efforts of the Maronite Patriarch of Antioch, Cardinal Boutros Al-Rai, saying: “He has always tried to unite Christians and, as far as I can tell, there is a desire on the part of the Christian parties to unite and promote more candidates who are common and generally accepted.”

Parolin said dialogue with Lebanon’s Shiite community was ongoing, but “the problem now is the part of Hezbollah,” the Shiite Islamist political party and militant group in Lebanon that has been clashing with the Israeli military since October 8, 2023, in the wake of Israel’s armed response to the Hamas attack a day earlier.

Hezbollah is in the game and has a candidate, so it is a matter of finding a candidate who is accepted by all parties while the search for a president continues, Parolin said.

Referring to the Social Week, which takes place every few years in Trieste from July 3 to 7 and is dedicated to promoting democracy and the Church’s social agenda, and which Pope Francis will officially close with a Mass on the last day, Parolin said it is an opportunity to strengthen democracy.

“It is a topic of current interest because, as we know, democracy is in crisis in many parts of the world,” he said, adding: “It is up to Catholics to affirm the importance, to affirm the need, to advocate democracy and, above all – and this is important to me – to infuse it with values.”

Democracy, he said, “is not simply a mathematical exercise of who has more or less, but above all an exercise in values, in which one is inspired by great values ​​that make social coexistence possible.”

“So I think the contribution that Catholics can make in this area is very valuable. I hope that something good will come out of this social week,” he said.

Follow Elise Ann Allen on X: @eliseannallen