Vatican News Editorial Director reflects on the latest report from SIPRI that details the inexorable rise in arms sales and recalls Pope Francis constant warnings against 'playing at war.'"I would point to the hypocrisy of speaking of peace and dabbling in war. In some countries where there is much talk of peace, the highest-yielding investments are in the production of arms. This hypocrisy always leads to failure. The failure of fraternity, the failure of peace.
Tragically, the other statistics tied to this rise are well-known: the number of military and civilian deaths and injuries, destroyed cities, displaced persons, futures stolen from generations of young people, and environmental devastation. Moreover, games usually involve competition, with a winner and a loser, which is perfectly acceptable for a tennis match or a game of chess. But when"playing at war" involves states, it contradicts the very concept of human fraternity and international law.
His is a deeply spiritual appeal, one that requires the intense prayer of the whole Church, especially during this Advent season.