Eight of the main Catholic acronyms launch their appeal especially to those who will be candidates in the next European elections to do their utmost for peace, the “stubborn and creative duty” of politicians. The request is not to forget the responsibility towards “the legacy of European politicians, believers and non-believers, who put life and the reasons that unite before what divides”
Vatican News
War, which is never a solution to tensions between peoples and nations, “has always caused death and suffering for everyone and in particular for the weakest, who pay and will always pay the highest price”. Starting from this is an appeal launched by some of the main Catholic realities, aimed at political forces and those running for the next European elections. The invitation is to take on “explicitly the responsibility of acting as an interlocutor for Peace, proposing without reservations the diplomatic and true political path”.
The appeal to those who will lead the European Union
Acli, Agesci, Italian Catholic Action, Communion and Liberation, Community of Sant’Egidio, Christian Workers Movement, Political Movement for Unity and Renewal in the Spirit, gathered in Trieste these days to reflect on the theme of the next Social Week, entitled “At the heart of democracy”, from 3 to 7 July in the capital city of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, they are the first signatories of the Trieste Appeal for Peace, which addresses “a heartfelt appeal for peace to the leaders of Governments, to the representatives of the institutions”, in particular to those who propose to lead the European Union.
The words of Pope Francis
The text recalls how only a few days ago the Pope “unequivocally reiterated” that we must not forget about wars, that we must pray for peace and that war is always a defeat. The signatories then mention, among the many conflicts raging in the world, those in Ukraine and the Holy Land, underlining the devastating effects, for people and the environment, caused by the use of increasingly powerful weapons. “In this terrible hour for the world – we read – we feel we are called to a profound conversion and to give a common and clear judgement: Peace is the duty of politics. A stubborn and creative duty.”
The EU, built on the utopia of peace
Also recalling the numerous calls by Italian President Sergio Mattarella to the decisive role of the European Union, “dreamed on the rubble of war, built on the utopia of peace”, the appeal recalls everyone’s responsibility towards “the legacy of politicians Europeans, believers and non-believers, who have put life and the reasons that unite before what divides”.
Politics, a high form of charity
We cannot therefore resign ourselves to the fact that “war rhetoric and the non-culture of conflict” invades life, personal, social and political relationships. The commitment undertaken is therefore to operate on the “educational and training ground, in concrete solidarity towards the weakest and the victims of injustices, in dialogue for the common good with women and men of good will”. Today more than ever, the conclusion is, “politics is ‘the highest form of charity’ if it pursues peace”.
