Mimmo Battaglia

"Interviewer: Is the arms race encouraged by some leaders in Europe justified, in your opinion? Cardinal Battaglia: I believe that peace is not built by arming people, but by disarming hearts. I understand the fears and geopolitical tensions, but we cannot get used to the idea that war is inevitable. Every euro spent on weapons is taken away from schools, healthcare and the poor. It is a choice of sides. True security does not come from force, but from justice, education and dialogue. As the Gospel says, those who take up the sword will perish by the sword. And we, as a Church, must be prophets of peace, even when it is inconvenient. Generally, following the example of a great prophet of peace, Pope Francis, every year I celebrate Holy Thursday Mass with the washing of the feet of people who have been wounded by life. This year, more than ever, I feel that the last, the poorest and most wounded by life is peace itself, and for this reason I wanted to wash the feet of men and women in my city who are actively committed to defending peace. So that their blessedness may not fail: blessed indeed are the messengers of peace, those who with silent gestures and measured words sow hope in everyday life. Those who build bridges, who resist without violence, choosing justice. And I told them something I am convinced of: when they are tired, the Lord himself will wash their feet! And in that water they will find the peace they have sown in the world."

"E voi, mercanti della morte, continuate a passare sotto quella croce come passarono un giorno i soldati, spartendovi le vesti del condannato. [...] Il Vangelo, invece, non tratta. | Il Vangelo non benedice le industrie della distruzione. | Il Vangelo non si abitua ai morti. | Il Vangelo non sopporta che il dolore diventi statistica e che i massacri si consumino dentro il commento stanco di un notiziario. | Il Vangelo mette un bambino al centro. | Sempre. | E quando un bambino è al centro, tutte le vostre ragioni crollano. | Crollano le dottrine militari, le alleanze opportunistiche, le giustificazioni geopolitiche, i linguaggi tecnici con cui nascondete la vergogna. [...] Io vi chiedo, allora, non solo di fermarvi. | Vi chiedo di convertirvi. | Sì, convertirvi. | Parola antica, parola scandalosa, parola necessaria. | Convertirsi significa smettere di pensare che tutto abbia un prezzo. | Significa riconoscere che la vita umana è sacra, o non sarà più umana."