“I ask the Lord that we Christians, and our brothers and sisters of other religions and every man and woman of good will, cry out forcefully: violence and war are never the way to peace. May the noise of weapons cease! War is always a defeat for humanity.“ – Pope Francis.
These words were uttered by Pope Francis who led a Prayer Vigil for Peace in St Peter’s Square on September 7, 2013. Deacon Tom Cornell reported that the Holy Father denounced those who are “captivated by the idols of dominion and power” to destroy God’s creation through war.
Our Church has always been on the side of peace. Indeed, the promotion of peace and disarmament is a key social justice principle grounded on respect for life and the dignity of the human person. As followers of the Prince of Peace, we are all called to be peacemakers.
