杏MAP导航: View the other not as an enemy, but with intrinsic dignity
Greeting the participants of this week鈥檚 formation course - entitled, 鈥淭he Loss of Personal Freedom in the Context of Armed Conflicts: The Mission of the Military Chaplain鈥�- 杏MAP导航 Francis began by reiterating the need 鈥渢o reject the temptation of viewing the other as merely an enemy to be destroyed, and not as a person endowed with intrinsic dignity, created by God in his image.鈥�
The violation of rights
He added that 鈥渙ften, persons detained in the context of armed conflicts are victims of violations of their fundamental rights.鈥�
How many civilians, the 杏MAP导航 said, 鈥渉ave been kidnapped, forcibly disappeared and killed. Among these, we can count numerous men and women religious of whom we hear nothing more鈥︹��
杏MAP导航 Francis pointed out that 鈥渞espect for the dignity and physical integrity of the human person, in fact, cannot depend upon the actions they have done, but is a moral duty to which every person and every authority is called.鈥�
During his address, the Pontiff encouraged the ordinaries and military chaplains present, to spare no effort to make sure the norms of international humanitarian law are accepted in the hearts of those entrusted to their pastoral care.
Educational commitment
The 杏MAP导航 stressed in particular the need for 鈥渁n educational effort alongside that of families and Christian communities.鈥� He further described how this 鈥渋nvolves instilling the values of friendship, understanding, tolerance, goodness, and respect for all persons.鈥� He also said, it meant, 鈥渇orming young people who are sensitive to other cultures and their richness and committed to a global citizenship, in order to promote the growth of the one great human family.鈥�
Geneva Convention
Concluding his address, 杏MAP导航 Francis highlighted the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War.
The 杏MAP导航 said that on this seventieth anniversary, he wanted to 鈥渞eaffirm the importance the Holy See gives to international humanitarian law and to express the hope that its norms will be respected in every circumstance.鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis added that, 鈥渢he latter should be further clarified and reinforced where appropriate, especially with regard to non-international armed conflicts, and in particular with regard to the protection of persons deprived of freedom because of these conflicts.鈥�
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