The Vatican Secretary of State reflects on the Paris attacks in an interview with French Catholic newspaper La Croix. Military intervention is acceptable when it is for the legitimate defence of a state but legitimacy must be sought through international law. Regarding the Pope’s visit to Africa, he said “for now there are only three legs, we will see further down the line, depending on the situation on the ground”.
“What is needed is a general mobilization of France, of Europe, and of the whole world” to eradicate terrorism. “A mobilization of all means of security, of police forces, and of information.” “And it is necessary to involve the Muslim community; they must be part of the solution.” This is according to the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who shared his thoughts on Friday’s Paris attacks in an interview with French Catholic newspaper La Croix. The upcoming Jubilee Year of Mercy is open to the followers of Islam and is the perfect opportunity “to launch an offensive of mercy”. As the catechism establishes and as the Pope has reiterated, military intervention in Syria is possible as long as it constitutes legitimate defence against the aggressors but any such intervention needs to “seek out legitimacy through the organizations which the international community has given itself”.
After the shock caused by the Paris attacks, asks Sébastien Maillard, La Croix’s correspondent in Rome, how does one resume a normal life?
“As the Pope said, there is no justification for what happened. It will take time for people to overcome such a terrible shock. I am touched by the strength of the French authorities’ reactions. There is a desire in the people to continue life there where the terrorists sought to interrupt and crush it,” the Italian cardinal said. “In reaction, what is needed is a general mobilization of France, of Europe, and of the whole world. A mobilization of all means of security, of police forces, and of information, to root out this evil of terrorism. But also a mobilization which would involve all spiritual resources to provide a positive response to evil. That passes through education to the refutation of hatred, giving responses to the young people who leave for jihad. There is a need to convoke all the actors, political and religious, national and international. There is a great need to combat this together. Without this union, this difficult battle will not be won. And it is necessary to involve the Muslim community; they must be part of the solution.”
Does the Pope’s safety seemed to be under even greater threat in the wake of these attacks?
“What happened in France, highlights the fact that no one can consider themselves excluded from (the threat of) terrorism. The Vatican could be a target because of its religious significance. We are capable of increasing the level of security in the Vatican and the surrounding area. But we will not let ourselves be paralysed by fear. These events don't change the Pope's agenda at all.”
Pope Francis has referred to a “piecemeal third world war” and considers the 13 November attacks as a piece of this war: what does this mean?
“‘Piecemeal’ means a war that has not been declared, an asymmetric war. A war fought away from the battlefields, in which the victims are innocent young, adult and elderly people. A piecemeal third world war also means we do not know where the next incident is going to take place. After Paris, Daesh shockingly warned that this was only the beginning. Everywhere, these are acts of terrorism linked to Islamist fundamentalism.”
When the American raids began in Iraq in August 2014, the Pope stated that “stopping the unjust aggressor is legitimate”. Does the Holy See hold the same stance with regard to the ongoing raids in Syria, while Daesh is seeking revenge?
“Yes, because blind violence is intolerable, whatever its origin may be. The Pope cited the Catechism of the Catholic Church which says ‘The defence of the common good requires that an unjust aggressor be rendered unable to cause harm. For this reason, those who legitimately hold authority also have the right to use arms to repel aggressors against the civil community entrusted to their responsibility.’ This corresponds to the legitimate defence of a State within its borders to protect its citizens and repel terrorists. In occasion of a foreign intervention, it is necessary to seek out legitimacy through the organizations which the international community has given itself. Our role is to remember these conditions, not to specify means to stop the aggressor.”
In this context of war, what is the significance of the upcoming Jubilee of Mercy?
“In this world torn by violence, now is the right time to launch an offensive of mercy. It is understandable that after the attacks there are feelings of revenge,” he said, “but we must fight against this urge. The Pope wants the Jubilee to help people see eye-to-eye, understand one another, and overcome hatred. After these attacks, this goal is strengthened. We receive the mercy of God to adopt this attitude toward others. The Merciful is also the most beautiful name of God for Muslims, who could be involved in this holy year, as the Holy Father desires.”
Answering journalists’ questions at the end of a conference organised in Rome by Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi (Rome Pilgrim Office), Parolin confirmed that “the three stops (during the Pope’s visit to Africa) remain, but we'll see depending on the situation on the ground.” Francis is visiting Kenya, Uganda and the Central African Republic from 25 to 30 November.
Parolin said the Holy See is expecting Iranian President, Hassan Rouhani, after his visits to France and the Vatican were cancelled in light of the Paris attacks. In answer to a question about Russia’s military raids and the response of the international community, he said the Holy See “does not directly support the concrete purposes” but “it affirms - as Pope Francis has done on a number of occasions – the legitimacy of stopping the unjust aggressor: in terms of how this should be done, it is the international community that must agree and decide on the methods” of intervention.
“Pilgrimage and Mercy in the three great Monotheistic Religions” is the theme of the 18th conference held by Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi as well as that of the 12th Technical Coordination Meeting which began today and will end on Wednesday.
