16. How are we to build up peace?

“In order to build up peace the causes of discord among men, especially injustice, which foment wars, must above all be rooted out.” Vatican II, Church in the Modern World (1965) 83.
“Peace is not built up only by means of politics, by the balance of forces and of interests. It is constructed with the mind, with ideas, with works of peace.” Pope Paul VI, Address to the United Nations General Assembly (1965)5.

Reflections on building up peace.
a) What needs to be done in order to build up peace?
b) Why don’t politics and the balancing of forces and interests suffice to build up peace?
c) What is meant by saying that we have to construct peace with the mind, with ideas?

17. What is the fundamental condition for peace?

“These rights (of the worker) must be examined in the broad context of human rights as a whole, which are connatural with man and many of which are proclaimed by various international organizations and increasingly guaranteed by the individual states for their citizens. Respect for this broad range of human rights constitutes the fundamental condition for peace in the modern world: peace both within individual countries and societies and in international relations.” Pope John Paul II, On Human Work (1981) 16.

Reflections on the fundamental condition for peace.
a) Why is respect for human rights the fundamental condition for peace?

18. Do Christians have an obligation to work for peace?

“Peacemaking is not an optional commitment. It is a requirement of our faith. We are called to be peacemakers, not by some movement of the moment, but by our Lord Jesus. The content and context of our peacemaking is set, not by some political agenda or ideological program, but by the teaching of his Church.” U.S. Bishops, The Challenge of Peace (1983) 333.

Reflections on Christians working for peace.
a) What is it about the life and teachings of Jesus that calls us to be peacemakers?
b) How do you explain the fact that there have been, and still are, wars between hostile camps of Christians?
c) How do you explain the fact that there have been, and still are, Christians who are not committed to peacemaking?

19. What is the relationship between personal sanctity and world peace?

“There can be no peace between men unless there is peace within each one of them.” Pope John XXIII. Peace on Earth (1963) 165.
“To have peace in our world, we must first have peace within ourselves.” U.S. Bishops, The Challenge of Peace (1983) 284.

Reflections on personal sanctity and world peace.
a) Why is peace within ourselves a necessary condition for peace in the world?