Justice

Catholic Teaching on Justice, Peace and Reconciliation

Catholic teaching places great emphasis on the need to work for justice, peace and reconciliation (the restoration of relationships).

Jesus' teaching on justice, peace and reconciliation

Jesus’ teaching, such as when he told a disciple (who is identified in John’s Gospel as Peter) not to defend him with violence emphasises the need to work for justice, peace and reconciliation:
- “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword” (Matthew 26:50-52).

A kingdom of 'justice, love and peace'

One of the prayers for the Catholic feast of Christ the King calls the Kingdom of God a kingdom of ‘justice, love and peace’.
Catholics, therefore, believe it is important to work for peace in their own relationships and to promote peace around the world.

Quotes about justice, love and peace

‘If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.’ [Matthew 18:15 NIV]
‘The world will never be the dwelling place of peace until peace has found a home in the heart of each and every man.’ [Pacem in Terris, Pope John XXIII, 1963]
‘Respect for the development of human life requires peace (which) cannot be attained on earth without… respect for the dignity of persons and peoples’. [CCC 2304]

The Work For Justice and Peace

It is part of Catholic teaching that conflict is often the result of injustice, and therefore the work for peace and justice are often combined. This work is carried out at several different scales within the Catholic community:

Individual Catholics

Many individual Catholics support the work for justice and peace throughout the world.

Local Justice and Peace societies

Local Justice and Peace societies are often supported by parishes and Catholic university students.

Pax Christi

Pax Christi (which means the peace of Christ) is a Catholic international peace movement that lists among their aims: human rights, disarmament and demilitarisation, as well as a just world order.

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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