World Peace Is Possible -- and a Duty,
says John Paul II in Message for World Day of Peace 2004
 
VATICAN CITY, DEC. 16, 2003 (Zenit.org)- To educate for peace means to
show that peace is possible if international law is respected, John Paul II says in his message for the forthcoming World Day of Peace.
 
"Today that appeal is more urgent than ever, because men and women, in face of the tragedies which continue to afflict humanity, are tempted to yield to fatalism, as if peace were an unattainable ideal," the Pope explains in the message published today by the Vatican press office.
 
The message, entitled "An Ever Timely Commitment: Teaching Peace," is a
kind of synthesis of the messages delivered over the past 25 years by John Paul II on the first day of the year, dedicated to world peace.
 
The title is reminiscent of his first message for a World Day of Peace, on Jan.1,1979: "To Reach Peace, Teach Peace."
 
In fact, the Pope changed his mind on the theme of the latest message.
Initially the Vatican press office announced it would be "International
Law, a Path for Peace."
 
In the new message, the Holy Father writes that he Church "has always
taught and continues today to teach a very simple axiom: Peace is
possible."
 
"Indeed, the Church does not tire of repeating that peace is a duty," he adds. "It must be built on the four pillars indicated by Blessed John XXIII in his encyclical 'Pacem in Terris': truth, justice, love and freedom."
 
"In this task of teaching peace, there is a particularly urgent need to
lead individuals and peoples to respect the international order and to
respect the commitments assumed by the authorities which legitimately
represent them," John Paul II continues.
 
"It is appropriate to recall this fundamental rule, especially at times
when there is a temptation to appeal to the law of force rather than to the force of law," he adds.
 
The message mentions the reasons that led to the creation of the United
Nations with a Security Council -- "to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war."
 
"Its essential purpose is to replace the material force of arms with the moral force of law, providing appropriate sanctions for transgressors and adequate reparation for victims," the Holy Father explains.
 
"This must also be applicable to those government leaders who violate with impunity human dignity and rights while hiding behind the unacceptable pretext that it is a matter of questions internal to their state," he stresses.
 
At the end of the message, John Paul II says he feels "it necessary to
repeat that, for the establishment of true peace in the world, justice must find its fulfillment in charity."
 
"Certainly law is the first road leading to peace, and people need to be taught to respect that law. Yet one does not arrive at the end of this road unless justice is complemented by love," he explains.
 
"Justice and love sometimes appear to be opposing forces. In fact they are but two faces of a single reality, two dimensions of human life needing to be mutually integrated," the Pope writes.
 
"For this reason I have often reminded Christians and all persons of good will that forgiveness is needed for solving the problems of individuals and peoples," he adds. "There is no peace without forgiveness! I say it again here, as my thoughts turn in particular to the continuing crisis in Palestine and the Middle East."
 
 
Anti-Terrorism Fight Can't Be Limited to Punitive Acts, Says Pope
Calls for an Analysis of the Reasons Behind Attacks
 
VATICAN CITY, DEC. 16, 2003 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II says the fight
against terrorism should not be limited to repressive operations but must include an analysis of the motives behind attacks.
 
The Pope states this in his message for the forthcoming World Day of Peace, Jan. 1. The Vatican press office published the message today.
 
"The scourge of terrorism has become more virulent in recent years and has produced brutal massacres which have in turn put even greater obstacles in the way of dialogue and negotiation, increasing tensions and aggravating problems, especially in the Middle East," the Holy Father writes.
 
However, "if it is to be won, the fight against terrorism cannot be limited solely to repressive and punitive operations," he explains in the message entitled "An Ever Timely Commitment: Teaching Peace."
 
"It is essential that the use of force, even when necessary, be accompanied by a courageous and lucid analysis of the reasons behind terrorist attacks," the Pope urges.
 
"The fight against terrorism must be conducted also on the political and educational levels: on the one hand, by eliminating the underlying causes of situations of injustice which frequently drive people to more desperate and violent acts; and on the other hand, by insisting on an education inspired by respect for life in every situation," he adds.
 
"Today international law is hard-pressed to provide solutions to situations of conflict arising from the changed landscape of the contemporary world," the Holy Father points out in his message.
 
Therefore, in "the necessary fight against terrorism, international law is now called to develop legal instruments provided with effective means for the prevention, monitoring and suppression of crime," he emphasizes.
 
"In any event, democratic governments know well that the use of force
against terrorists cannot justify a renunciation of the principles of the rule of law," the Pope adds. "Political decisions would be unacceptable were they to seek success without consideration for fundamental human rights, since the end never justifies the means."