War

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Are Catholics Wholly Pacifist?

Catholic Social Teaching includes many examples on the subject of justice and peace:

Pope John XXIII

In 1963, Pope John XXIII wrote the encyclical (a letter sent by the Pope to the bishops of the Roman Catholic Church) Pacem in Terris.
- It starts with the words, “Peace on earth...cannot be firmly established unless the order which God laid down is dutifully observed.”
Pope John also spoke out against the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Pope Paul VI

In 1967, Pope Paul VI said in his encyclical Populorum Progressio that promoting mutual solidarity and social justice are moral duties.

Pope Francis

Pope Francis said that peace firstly means there are no wars, but it also means that every day a step ahead is made for justice. (Audience with children of the Peace Factory 2015.)

Catholic Just War Theory

However, the Catholic Church is not a wholly pacifist religion and supports a Just War Theory. Some of the requirements for this theory were taught by Thomas Aquinas in the 13th Century:
- The war must be waged by a legitimate authority.
- It must be a last resort.
- It must be for a good purpose (e.g. justice and greater peace).
- It must be conducted in the right way, avoiding civilian casualties.

1Buddhism

2Christianity

2.1Key Beliefs

2.1.1The Nature of God

2.1.2The Problem of Evil

2.1.3Monotheism

2.1.4Creation

2.1.5Bible Accounts of Creation

2.1.6The Trinity and Creation

2.1.7Afterlife

2.1.8Heaven and Hell

2.1.9The Influence of Afterlife on Life

2.1.10End of Topic Test - Christianity Key Beliefs

2.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Christian Beliefs

2.2Jesus Christ & Salvation

2.2.1The Incarnation

2.2.2Jesus - Divine & Human

2.2.3The Crucifixion

2.2.4Jesus' Betrayal

2.2.5Resurrection & Ascension

2.2.6Sin

2.2.7Original Sin

2.2.8Punishment

2.2.9The Means of Salvation

2.2.10Achieving Salvation

2.2.11Disagreements About Salvation

2.2.12The Role of Christ in Salvation

2.2.13Theories of Salvation

2.2.14End of Topic Test - Jesus Christ & Salvation

2.3Worship & Festivals

2.3.1Different Forms of Worship

2.3.2Prayer

2.3.3Sacrament

2.3.4Baptism

2.3.5Other Sacraments

2.3.6Eucharist

2.3.7Pilgrimage & Celebrations

2.3.8Christmas & Easter

2.3.9End of Topic Test - Worship and Festivals

2.4Community

2.4.1Local Community

2.4.2Mission, Evangelism & Church Growth

2.4.3Worldwide Church

2.4.4Reconciliation

2.4.5Persecution

2.4.6Caring for Those in Need

2.4.7End of Topic Test - Community

2.4.8Exam-Style Questions - Christian Practices

3Catholicism (Christianity)

4Islam

5Judaism

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