Pope insists on moral duty to protect human dignity,
especially in conflicts
Pope Francis meeting participants in the 3rd Conference on International Humanitarian Law. |
Pope Francis on Saturday insisted on the moral
duty of protecting human dignity in every circumstance, especially in armed
conflict, saying at the end of life we will be judged on our mercy and
solidarity for the victims of war. He was speaking to some 250
participants in the 3rd Conference on International Humanitarian Law sponsored
by the European Society of International Law. The Oct. 27-28 meeting in Rome
discussed “The protection of civilian population in warfare - The role
of Humanitarian Organizations and Civil Society.”
Atrocities and outrage during conflicts
The Pope noted that the Holy See, convinced of the
essentially negative nature of war and man's most dignified aspiration to
abolish it, ratified the 1977 Additional Protocols to the 1949 Geneva
Conventions, in order to encourage the “humanization of the effect of armed
conflict.” He drew attention to the atrocities and outrage
perpetrated on civil populations and persons during conflicts, with mutilated
and headless bodies and “our brothers and sisters tortured, crucified and burnt
alive,” in total disregard for their human dignity. The
destruction or damaging of cultural treasures, hospitals, schools and places of
worship deprive entire generations of their right to life, health,
education and religion.
Indifference
The Pope warned that such news could lead to a sort of
“saturation” that anesthetizes and relativizes the gravity of the problem,
making it more difficult for one to be moved to compassion and
solidarity. The Holy Father called for a change of heart, an openness
to God and neighbor, that urges persons to overcome indifference and live
solidarity as a moral virtue and social attitude. He expressed
satisfaction over numerous manifestations of solidarity and charity in times of
war by persons, charities and NGOs, in the Church and outside, who despite
dangers and hardships, reach out to the wounded, the sick, the hungry,
prisoners and the dead. “Indeed,” he stressed, “aid to victims of
conflict calls for various works of mercy on which we will be judged at
the end of life.”
Moral duty to respect, protect human dignity
The Holy Father wished that fighters as well as humanitarian
organizations and workers be able to put into practice the fundamental
principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence, that are
the heart of humanitarian law. But where humanitarian law is met with
hesitation and omission, he said, “individual conscience must recognize the
moral duty to respect and protect the dignity of the human person in every
circumstance, especially in situations where it is most
threatened.”
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