Peace is a basic attribute of God. It is also a gift from God to humanity and an imperative human project that conforms to God’s will. In the Bible, peace is not only the absence of war; rather, it is the fullness of life giving joy, prosperity, serenity and well-being.
Peace is the goal of life in society finding its fulfillment in the person of Jesus. The peace of Jesus is the reconciliation of all of creation with God the Father; it is the reconciliation we have with our brothers and sisters in the world. Thus, working for peace cannot be separated from the work of evangelization, i.e., from announcing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Peace is both a value and a universal duty, having its roots in God and founded on a rational and moral order of society. Peace is founded on a correct understanding of the human person and requires we act justly and charitably toward all. As our human history so clearly shows, peace can be achieved only when everyone recognizes that each person is responsible for promoting it. It is an obligation shared by all. Thus, our world today is in great need of men and women who disarm themselves and stand up to the violence, especially against the most vulnerable and defenseless of our world, who bear witness to divine love and charity toward all.
For a more detailed discussion of this topic, refer to the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, nos. 488-496.
