BRUSSELS, Belgium — Archbishop Bernardito Auza, the Vatican’s ambassador to the European Union, emphasized at a recent conference that Europe’s ongoing military rearmament must prioritize peace rather than conflict. His comments came amid rising military expenditures in response to Russia’s war in Ukraine and uncertainties regarding U.S. security commitments to NATO allies.
Auza spoke at the Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Foundation’s conference held on November 11-12, organized in collaboration with the Representation of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia to the EU and the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE). The conference followed earlier discussions in Luxembourg and Italy this year.
During his address, Auza described Europe as facing a “profound and multidimensional crisis” that threatens its security, economic stability, and foundational values. He stressed the necessity for a culture of peace and dialogue, stating that security should not be detached from these principles. “In face of a crisis in peace, security, and multilateralism, the Church teaches the unarmed and disarming peace,” he asserted.
Rearmament and the Right to Self-Defense
While advocating for peace, Auza acknowledged the inherent right of nations to defend themselves. “The Church is not a naive pacifist,” he remarked, asserting that the concept of just war remains relevant as it underscores the importance of self-defense and the preservation of essential values worth defending.
He referenced a recent address by Pope Leo XIV, which highlighted the need for dialogue over military force in achieving peace, invoking the legacy of European integration pioneer Robert Schuman.
Reflecting on his tenure in Haiti, Auza discussed the challenges of international intervention, particularly concerning military assistance. He emphasized that while Haitians must spearhead their nation’s reconstruction, the international community has a moral obligation to support them. “They are my brothers and sisters. I must be in solidarity with them,” he said.
Migration Challenges in the Social Media Age
The conference also focused on Europe’s migration crisis, particularly in light of recent surges in arrivals at Ceuta, Spain. EU lawmaker Lena Düpont indicated that social media played a significant role in mobilizing migrants, raising concerns about whether existing international agreements, like the 1951 Geneva Refugee Convention, can effectively address such rapid movements.
Corinna Ullrich, a director from the European Commission, pointed out the economic motivations behind migrant smuggling, explaining that families often invest substantial amounts for risky crossings in hopes that their relatives will find work in Europe and send money back home. “They think once the people are here, they work, they will pay them back 10 times,” she noted, while cautioning that smugglers benefit regardless of the migrants’ fate.
Putting Catholic Social Teaching into Practice
The Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Foundation is evolving its strategies to apply Catholic social teachings to contemporary challenges, according to its president Paolo Garonna. He shared plans for initiatives in multiple regions, including Asia-Pacific and Africa, highlighting the need for contextualized applications of these teachings.
In Asia, Garonna emphasized the importance of interfaith dialogue, while in Africa, he asserted that local leadership in economic development should be prioritized, with international partners supporting their initiatives. He advocated for cooperation between public and private sectors to forge ethical frameworks that foster collaboration, stating, “Rather than opposing the public and the private, we need an ethical framework that helps the two join together.”
