Philippine Prelate Calls Shift from “Just War” to “Just Peace” amid Modern Conflicts

The President of Caritas Philippines has called for a rethinking of the Church’s long-standing “just war” framework, saying modern conflicts have made it increasingly difficult to justify the use of armed force.

In a social media post on April 18,  Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, who also heads Episcopal Commission on Social Action, Justice, and Peace,  said that while the Church has long allowed for the possibility of a “just war,” modern realities are eroding the conditions that once justified it.

“If nearly every war can be justified, then the framework no longer restrains violence,” he said.

He said the framework, originally meant to restrain war, now risks being used to justify it, as governments increasingly frame armed conflict as necessary or defensive.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church allows the use of military force only under strict conditions, including that all peaceful means have been exhausted, there are serious prospects of success, and that the use of force would not produce greater harm.

The call reflects a broader shift in Catholic teaching, with Pope Francis increasingly questioning whether the conditions for a “just war” can still be met in modern conflicts.

Similar calls for peacebuilding have been echoed by bishops’ conferences in other countries, including the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, which has emphasized diplomacy, nonviolence, and nuclear disarmament.

He emphasized the need to move toward a “just peace,” focusing on diplomacy, justice, and addressing the root causes of conflict.

“The task now is no longer to justify war, but to prevent it,” Bishop Alminaza said, calling for greater investment in diplomacy, justice, and efforts to address the root causes of conflict.

The bishop’s remarks come as conflicts around the world continue to displace millions and raise renewed moral questions about the human cost of war, particularly on civilians.