Foreign Policy Issues

There is a long-established tradition of pacifism in Christianity. But although Christians always pray for peace, the Church as a whole has never condemned all wars or use of force. The tradition of moral thinking associated with the idea of ‘the just war’ is one that has sought to establish the principles, criteria, and rules which would enable a judgement to be made as to whether a particular use of force could be said to be morally acceptable or even desirable.

In its modern form the theory of the Just War has involved showing that five conditions are fulfilled:

(1) the war must be a defensive response to unjust aggression;

(2) there must be a realistic chance of success;

(3) there must be some proportion between the costs and the post-war settlement;

(4) only military targets can be chosen; and

(5) the use of force must never be an end in itself.

Much of this thinking has helped shape the Church of England’s response to recent international crises, most notably Iraq and Kosovo. From time to time however the Church considers other pressing international issues such as the ongoing crisis in the Holy Land, and the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, as well as new developments in military technology. The Church also responds to Government consultations and parliamentary inquiries.

Terrorism

'Countering Terrorism: Power, Violence and Democracy Post 9/11' examines the issues around terrorism; international order and American power; and political reform and the Middle East. It sets out 13 Christian principles for addressing "a world characterised by power and violence."

The report was produced by a Working Group of the House of Bishops. The Working Group, set up in October 2004, was comprised of: the Rt Revd Richard Harries, Bishop of Oxford (Chair); the Rt Revd Colin Bennetts, Bishop of Coventry; the Rt Revd Peter Selby, Bishop of Worcester; and the Rt Revd Peter Price, Bishop of Bath & Wells.

The accompanying Press Release can be accessed here.

If you would like to comment on this paper please reply here. If you would like a hard copy of this report please send a cheque for £5 made payable to the Archbishops Council to Alison Cundiff, Church House, Great Smith Street, London   SW1P 3NZ (Tel: 020 7898 1447).

In recent years, the Mission & Public Affairs Unit (and formerly the Board for Social Responsibility) have issued various briefing papers on foreign policy. A selection of these can be found below.

Iraq

MPA Submission to the Iraq Inquiry (2007)

Church leaders meet Foreign Secretary (March 2003)

Church Prays for a Speedy Resolution to War in Iraq – Press Release (March 2003)

Joint Statement on Iraq from the Archbishop and Cardinal (February 2003)

Emergency Synod Motion (February 2003)

Iraq – Submission to the International Development Affairs Committee (February 2003)

GS 1475 – Iraq – Would Military Action Be Justified? The Church’s contribution to the debate (2002)

Iraq - Submission to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee - House of Bishops

Iraq – Submission to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee – Public Affairs Unit

How the Churches in England & Germany contribute to Ethical Decision Making - Friedewald Conference Report

Middle East

GS Misc 657 Demand Peace: A Christian Response to the Al-Aqsa Intifada

GS_1463_–_Israel/Palestine_-_An Unholy war_(2002)

Ballistic Missile Defence