Fighting Poverty To Build Peace -- Part 11

Quotes from the Message of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI

for the Celebration of the World Day of Peace

Fighting Poverty To Build Peace

January 1, 2009

Disarmament is necessary for development.

“An excessive increase in military expenditure risks accelerating the arms race, producing pockets of underdevelopment and desperation, so that it can paradoxically become a cause of instability, tension and conflict. As my venerable Predecessor Paul VI wisely observed, ‘the new name for peace is development’. States are therefore invited to reflect seriously on the underlying reasons for conflicts, often provoked by injustice, and to practice courageous self-criticism. If relations can be improved, it should be possible to reduce expenditure on arms. The resources saved could then be earmarked for development projects to assist the poorest and most needy individuals and peoples: efforts expended in this way would be efforts for peace within the human family” (no. 6).