Pope Francis issued his latest encyclical “Fratelli Tutti” on 10/3/2020 on the theme of fraternity and social friendship. There are eight chapters in this encyclical. Fr. Anthony summarizes below the seventh chapter entitled “Paths of Renewed Encounter.”
Fr. Anthony Armstrong, O.Carm.
After conflict “those who were fierce enemies have to learn how to accept the past in order not to cloud the future (§226).” Truth, justice and mercy are key elements of true peace (§227), and must involve both those who do wrong (§228) and their victims (§231), and needs to begin with the marginalized (§233). Inequality and exclusion of others makes true peace impossible (§235).
Although we are called to love everyone, that is not to deny my right to justice for wrongs committed (§241). The important thing is not to become obsessed with revenge, as that doesn’t lead to true peace and justice (§242). This is no easy task and can only be done by “cultivating those virtues which foster reconciliation, and peace” (§243). “Authentic reconciliation does not flee from conflict, but [resolves] it through dialogue (§244).”
It is up to each individual to choose to reconcile with the other. “In any case, forgetting is never the answer (§246).” “We can never move forward without remembering the past (§249).” “Forgiving does not mean forgetting”; it doesn’t condone the wrong (§250). “Those who truly forgive do not forget (§251).” The rest of the chapter (§255-270) looks at how neither war nor the death penalty can lead to true peace and justice.
“If we want true [justice] for all, we must always work to avoid war [through] tireless recourse to negotiation (§257).” It is hard, these days, to truly have a “just war” (§258). “Every war leaves our world worse than it was before. War is a failure of politics and of humanity (§261).” The Church is committed to the abolition of the death penalty worldwide (§263). Civil leaders need to punish wrongdoing (§264) but harsh penalties, preventive custody and detaining without trial are wrong (§266). Today, there are alternatives to capital punishment which protect society and punish wrongdoing (§267). Christians also need to work for improved prison conditions and reintegration of ex-offenders into society (§268). We should not forget that not even murderers lose their status as God’s children (§269).