Rich commented on the quote on war published by CNS.
This is taken from the chapter "The Promotion of Peace" section III "The failure of Peace : war". The very way the chapter is organised emphasises the importance of peace and the evils of war.
Here is the section in full :-
>>497. The Magisterium condems "the savery of war" [1032] and asks that war be considerd in a new way [1033].
In this way, the Compendium makes explicit the break with the old "Just War" theory - war has now
become so horrific due to modern weaponery and the way in which modern war is waged (largely impacting on innocent civilians) that war must be considered in a new way.
>>In fact, it is hardly possible to imagine that in an atomic era, war could be used as an instrument of justice. [1034] War is a "scourge" [1035] and is never an appropriate way to resolve problems that arise between nations; "it has never been and it will never be", [1036] because it creates new and still more complicated conflicts [1037].
>>When it errupts, war becomes an "unnecessary massacre", [1038] and "adventure without return" [1039] that compromises humanity's present and threatens its future. "Nothing is lost by peace; everything may be lost by war [1040]
>>The damage caused by armed conflict is not only material but also moral. [1041]
I guess this makes war a moral evil, and not just a physical evil, as some have claimed.
>>In the end, war is "the failure of all true humanism", [1042] "it is always a defeat for humanity": [1043] "never again some peoples against others, never again! ... no more war, no more war!" [1044]
I think this paragraph would probably amount to one of the strongest condemnations of war the church has ever issued.
The references are :-
[1032] Gaudium et Spes, 77
[1033] Gaudium et Spes, 80
[1034] Pacem in Terris
[1035] Leo XIII, Address to the College of Cardinals: Acta Leonis XIII, 19 (1899) 270-272.
[1036] John Paul II, Meeting with official of the Roman Ciacariate, 17 Jan 1991.
[1037] cf Paul VI, Address to Cardinals 24Jun65
[1038] Benedict XV, Appeal to the Leaders of the Warring Nations 1Aug1917
[1039] John Paul II Prayer for Peace during General Audience 16Jan1991
[1040] Pius XII Radio Message 24Aug1939
[1041] cf Gaudium et Spes, 79
[1042] John Paul II, Message for 1999 World Day of Peace
[1043] John Paul II Address to Diplomatic Corps 13Jan2003
[1044] Paul VI, Address to UN General Assembly 04Oct1965
