Focolare Movement

What is the point of war?

Jun 19, 2025

At this time when the world is torn apart by brutal conflicts, we share an excerpt from the famous book written by Igino Giordani in 1953 and republished in 2003: The uselessness of war. "If you want peace, prepare peace": the political teaching that Giordani offers us in this volume can be summarized in this aphorism. Peace is the result of a plan: a plan of fraternity between peoples, of solidarity with the weakest, of mutual respect. Thus a more just world is built, this is how war is set aside as a barbaric practice belonging to the dark phase of the history of mankind.

War is a mass murder, clothed in a kind of sacred cult, as was the sacrifice of firstborns to the god Baal: and this because of the terror it instils, the rhetoric with which it dresses up and the interests it serves. When humanity has progressed spiritually, war will be classified alongside the bloody rites, the superstitions of witchcraft and other barbaric practices.

It relates to humanity as sickness does to health, as sin to the soul: it is destruction and devastation, striking both soul and body, individuals and the community.

[…]

According to St. Thomas, “All things seek peace”. In fact, they all seek life. Only the insane and the incurable may desire death. And war is death. It is not wanted by the people; it is wanted by minorities to whom physical violence serves to secure economic advantages or, worse, to satisfy base emotions. Especially today, with its cost, its deaths and its ruins, war reveals itself as a “useless slaughter”. A slaughter which is moreover useless. A victory over life which is becoming humanity’s suicide.

[…] Saying that war is a “useless slaughter “, Benedict XV gave the most precise definition. Cardinal Schuster called it, “a slaughterhouse of men.” It means whole regions destroyed, thousands and thousands of poor people without homes or possessions, forced to wander in the desolate countryside, until death cuts them down from hunger or cold.

[…] The material gains from a victorious war can never compensate for the damage it causes; so much so, that it takes several successive generations to painstakingly rebuild the full sum of spiritual and moral values that were destroyed during an excess of war frenzies[1]. ” […]


[…]

2uman ingenuity, destined for far nobler purposes, has today devised and introduced instruments of war of such power as to arouse horror in the soul of any honest person, above all because they do not only affect armies, but often still overwhelm private citizens, children, women, the old and the sick, as well as sacred buildings and major monuments of art! Who is not horrified at the thought that new cemeteries will be added to the countless ones of the recent conflict and new smoking ruins of towns and cities will pile up more mournful wreckage?» [2]. […] […]

Compiled by Elena Merli

Igino Giordani, L ‘inutilità della Guerra, Città Nuova, Rome, 2003, (third edition), p. 3
Foto: Cover: © RS via Fotos Públicas, Igino Giordani © CSC-Audiovisivi


[1] Card. Schuster, messaggio natalizio 1950.
[2] Pio XII, «Mirabile illud», 1950.

___

4 Comments

  1. Mary Laframboise

    We will not have peace until we stop breaking all of God’s laws, beginning with the slaughter of the unborn.His laws are Love.

    Reply
  2. Jane Lambert

    If only the governments of all countries would come to understand this, we could start to build a world of unity, respect and love of neighbor now. Thank u for sharing Foco’s words.

    Reply
  3. Uli Yeomans

    So what can I do about the horror and insanity of these wars? Love, pray, offer, love, pray, offer in the present moment, actively and fervently love Jesus Forsaken in the present moment and trust that also this will pass. Together we are an army, BEING an army of peace and for peace increases the pockets of peace on earth.

    Reply
  4. Marilyn

    We are covered with shame that children are dying trying to get food for their families in Gaza, being shot. Our hearts go out to those suffering in a thousand ways, unimaginable indifference as the world turns to Iran, Ukraine, and other hot spots.

    Reply

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