Archbishop Gallagher: Promoting peace is true instrument of defense

By Isabella Piro

Faced with the conflicts that are currently tearing apart different parts of the world in a “third world war fought piecemeal”, faced with the arms race, nuclear threats and terrorism, we must “understand that defence is not only a question of military power, but also of strengthening institutions and promoting agreements between peoples”.

Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican's secretary for relations with states and international organizations, made the assessment Friday at the end of his five-day visit to the Philippines.

Speaking at the Foreign Service Institute headquarters in Pasay City, the archbishop provided a broad reflection on the Holy See's diplomacy in the contemporary international context, reiterating that talking about victory or defeat in our current context “is not realistic.”

Rather, he stressed the need to establish “a new, just order” that transcends divisions and aims at the recognition of human dignity.

This, added Msgr. Gallagher, is the diplomatic approach of the Holy See, which seeks to “be a sign of hope” characterized by “positive neutrality.”

He said that such an approach, rather than seeking power or domination, is rooted in principles that “prioritize the well-being of all humanity, uphold human dignity and advocate for lasting peace,” while simultaneously defending “the common good, solidarity among nations and subsidiarity.”

As a “relevant transnational actor” and “sovereign and independent moral authority”, the Holy See exercises its diplomatic action as a soft power, relying “on moral persuasion” and “ethical leadership”, with the aim of promoting “justice, peace and solidarity on an international scale”.

Archbishop Gallagher said the Holy See is a “trustworthy” mediator, independent “of political alliances and blocs,” and is therefore able to “build bridges where others see only insurmountable divisions.”

In a central point of his speech, the Secretary for Relations with States highlighted Pope Francis' efforts to defend human rights, integral human development, the protection of our common home and the defense of peace and nonviolence.

These qualities, the archbishop said, make the pope a “leading actor” in Vatican diplomacy, itself “rooted in sincere openness” and founded on charity.

Faced with “the erosion of trust between nations” and the growing number and severity of “conflicts and wars,” Archbishop Gallagher stressed the global commitment of the Holy See.

The Church, he said, “shares the joys, sorrows and concerns of the men of our time,” as the Second Vatican Council declared, and helps to distance nations and peoples “from patterns of war, resentment and hatred.”

On the contrary, he added, the Church encourages nations to “progress on the path of dialogue,” guided by “the rule of law as well as by natural law, rather than by the law of force.”

Archbishop Gallagher also stressed the “moral responsibility” of papal diplomacy.

He said that this commitment is manifested in various areas, including the defense of the sacred character of human life from conception to natural death; the safeguarding of Creation; the fight against the “throwaway culture” and the “globalization of indifference”, accompanied by the promotion of the “culture of encounter” and the “globalization of fraternity”.

All this, Archbishop Gallagher reiterated, is part of the horizon of “Christian realism”, where “the art of managing international relations is firmly anchored in the real world, addressing practical challenges and seeking tangible solutions.”

This involves prioritizing the “well-being, security and stability of nations” over power or personal interests.

In this regard, the Archbishop cited specific areas of exercise of Vatican diplomacy: access to the fundamental right to health; support for just economic policies; the fight against the “toxic scourge” of human trafficking; the promotion of multilateralism and the defense of religious freedom.

On this last point, Archbishop Gallagher recalled that “the Holy See maintains that religious freedom is not only a human right but also a vital path towards healing divisions and promoting world peace.”

He said the Holy See plays “a central role in promoting peace, reconciliation and non-violent conflict resolution.”

Finally, Bishop Gallagher recalled his mandate as advisor to the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila from 1991 to 1995, as well as the visits of four popes to the Philippines (Saint Paul VI in 1970, Saint John Paul II in 1981 and 1995, Pope Francis in 2015).

He concluded by encouraging the Southeast Asian nation to continue its “crucial role” as a promoter of “regional cooperation” in Asia and as a builder of a “more humane and inclusive society.”