Catholic Social Teaching on Peace and Justice

“To reach peace, teach peace.” Pope John Paul II, World Day of Peace Message, 1979

“World peace is threatened not only by the arms race, regional conflicts and the continued injustices among people, but also by the lack of respect for nature.” Pope John Paul II, Peace with God the Creator, Peace with All of Creation, 1990, 1

“How can there ever be a future of peace when investments are still made in the production of arms and in research aimed at developing new ones? It can only be hoped that the international community will... take up once more... the process of disarmament.” Pope Benedict XVI, World Day of Peace Message, 2006, 14

“…all are called to live in justice and to work for peace. No one can claim exemption from this responsibility.” Pope John Paul II, World Day of Peace Message, 1998, 1

“The nations of the world are becoming more and more dependent on one another - it will not be possible to preserve a lasting peace so long as glaring economic and social imbalances persist.” Pope John XXIII, Mother and Teacher, 1961, 157

“Excessive economic, social and cultural inequalities among peoples arouse tensions and conflicts, and endanger peace.” Pope Paul VI, On the Development of Peoples, 76.

“Peace is a need deeply rooted in the heart of every man and woman.” Pope John Paul II, World Day of Peace Message, 2000, 2

“Peace is not merely the absence of war.” Pope Paul VI, The Church in the Modern World, 1965, 78

“There is no true peace without fairness, truth, justice and solidarity.” Pope John Paul II, World Day of Peace Message, 2000, 13

“A true and stable peace presupposes respect for human rights.” Pope Benedict XVI, World Day of Peace Message, 2007,12

“Jesus has revealed to us that ‘God is love’ and that the highest vocation of every person is love. In Christ we can find the ultimate reason for becoming staunch champions of human dignity and courageous builders of peace.” Pope Benedict XVI, World Day of Peace Message, 2007, 16.

“It is not just a question of giving one’s surplus to those in need… it requires changing lifestyles and power structures.” Pope John Paul II, World Day of Peace Message, 2001, 17

Pope Benedict XVI, World Day of Peace Message, 2012, 5 “Peace for all is the fruit of justice for all.”

“To pray for peace is to pray for justice.” Pope John Paul II, World Day of Peace Message, 2002, 14

Picture credits Sean Sprague CAFOD Maya Haviland Richard Wainwright Caritas Australia Last updated Jan 2012