TheoFons

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church

DSE · C. Justice & Peace · 2004 · EN · 583 paragraphs · vatican.va ↗

Terrorism is one of the most brutal forms of violence traumatizing the international community today; it sows hatred, death, and an urge for revenge and reprisal.1078Cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2297. From being a subversive strategy typical of certain extremist organizations, aimed at the destruction of material goods or the killing of people, terrorism has now become a shadowy network of political collusion. It can also make use of sophisticated technology, often has immense financial resources at its disposal and is involved in large- scale planning, striking completely innocent people who become chance victims of terrorist actions.1079Cf. John Paul II, Message for the 2002 World Day of Peace, 4: AAS 94 (2002), 134. The targets of terrorist attacks are generally places of daily life and not military objectives in the context of a declared war. Terrorism acts and strikes under the veil of darkness, with no regard for any of the rules by which men have always sought to set limits to conflicts, for example through international humanitarian law; “in many cases, terrorist methods are regarded as new strategies of war”1080Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, 79: AAS 58 (1966), 1102.. Nor must we overlook the causes that can lead to such unacceptable forms of making demands. The fight against terrorism presupposes the moral duty to help create those conditions that will prevent it from arising or developing.

Terrorism is to be condemned in the most absolute terms. It shows complete contempt for human life and can never be justified, since the human person is always an end and never a means. Acts of terrorism strike at the heart of human dignity and are an offence against all humanity; “there exists, therefore, a right to defend oneself from terrorism”.1081John Paul II, Message for the 2002 World Day of Peace, 5: AAS 94 (2002), 134. However, this right cannot be exercised in the absence of moral and legal norms, because the struggle against terrorists must be carried out with respect for human rights and for the principles of a State ruled by law.1082Cf. John Paul II, Message for the 2004 World Day of Peace, 8: AAS 96 (2004), 119. The identification of the guilty party must be duly proven, because criminal responsibility is always personal, and therefore cannot be extended to the religions, nations or ethnic groups to which the terrorists belong. International cooperation in the fight against terrorist activity “cannot be limited solely to repressive and punitive operations. 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”.1083John Paul II, Message for the 2004 World Day of Peace, 8: AAS 96 (2004), 119. Also needed is a particular commitment on the “political and educational levels” 1084John Paul II, Message for the 2004 World Day of Peace, 8: AAS 96 (2004), 119. in order to resolve, with courage and determination, the problems that in certain dramatic circumstances can foster terrorism: “the recruitment of terrorists in fact is easier in situations where rights are trampled and injustices are tolerated over a long period of time”1085John Paul II, Message for the 2002 World Day of Peace, 5: AAS 94 (2002), 134..

It is a profanation and a blasphemy to declare oneself a terrorist in God's name.1086Cf. John Paul II, Address to Representatives from the World of Culture, Art and Science, Astana, Kazakhstan (24 September 2001), 5: L'Osservatore Romano, English edition, 26 September 2001, p. 7. In such cases, God, and not only man, is exploited by a person who claims to possess the totality of God's truth rather than one who seeks to be possessed by the truth. To define as “martyrs” those who die while carrying out terrorist attacks distorts the concept of martyrdom, which is the witness of a person who gives himself up to death rather than deny God and his love. Martyrdom cannot be the act of a person who kills in the name of God. No religion may tolerate terrorism and much less preach it.1087Cf. John Paul II, Message for the 2002 World Day of Peace, 7: AAS 95 (2002), 135-136. Rather, religions must work together to remove the causes of terrorism and promote friendship among peoples1088Cf. “Decalogue of Assisi for Peace”, 1, in the Letter addressed by John Paul II to Heads of State and of Government on 24 February 2002: L'Osservatore Romano, English edition, 6 March 2002, p. 12..

Notes

  1. 1078. Cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2297.
  2. 1079. Cf. John Paul II, Message for the 2002 World Day of Peace, 4: AAS 94 (2002), 134.
  3. 1080. Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, 79: AAS 58 (1966), 1102.
  4. 1081. John Paul II, Message for the 2002 World Day of Peace, 5: AAS 94 (2002), 134.
  5. 1082. Cf. John Paul II, Message for the 2004 World Day of Peace, 8: AAS 96 (2004), 119.
  6. 1083. John Paul II, Message for the 2004 World Day of Peace, 8: AAS 96 (2004), 119.
  7. 1084. John Paul II, Message for the 2004 World Day of Peace, 8: AAS 96 (2004), 119.
  8. 1085. John Paul II, Message for the 2002 World Day of Peace, 5: AAS 94 (2002), 134.
  9. 1086. Cf. John Paul II, Address to Representatives from the World of Culture, Art and Science, Astana, Kazakhstan (24 September 2001), 5: L'Osservatore Romano, English edition, 26 September 2001, p. 7.
  10. 1087. Cf. John Paul II, Message for the 2002 World Day of Peace, 7: AAS 95 (2002), 135-136.
  11. 1088. Cf. “Decalogue of Assisi for Peace”, 1, in the Letter addressed by John Paul II to Heads of State and of Government on 24 February 2002: L'Osservatore Romano, English edition, 6 March 2002, p. 12.