REFLECTIONS ON SOME OLD AND NEW EMPHASIS IN THE CATHOLIC ASSESSMENT OF A JUST WAR

In the article, the author reflects on some old and new emphases in the Catholic evaluation of war in light of the traditional just war theory. In the introductory part, the author briefly reflects on war as evil (mysterium iniquitatis), and then concisely presents traditional arguments in support of the justification of the so-called just war in light of the just war theory. The author proceeds with some recent emphases in the Catholic evaluation of war, highlighting the teaching of the Second Vatican Council, which had condemned war and called for the prohibition of all war. In the course of the article the author outlines some interpretations of war and nonviolence in the post-conciliar Catholic opinion, with a special emphasis on the messages of a pastoral letter about the peace challenges of the American bishops from 1983, and then on the arguments of one of the most famous moral theologians of the 20th century, Bernhard Haring, in support of abandoning the traditional theories of just war and unconditional agreement with the evangelical logic of non-violence. Based on these analyses, the author points out the necessity of overcoming the contradiction that exists between the traditional understanding of a just war and evangelical peace and calls for non-violence. In this sense, in the last part of the article, the author briefly showcases the latest Catholic proposals for abandoning the just war theory, which throughout history served as a sad justifica- tion for almost all wars.