On the eve of the day against war, celebrated in Germany on 1st September, Reinhald Voss, general secretary of the German section of the Catholic movement for peace, Pax Christi”, issued an appeal for peace. “On the day against war, German trades-union and ecclesiastical groups and organizations, in particular, recall that the Second World War began on 1st September 1939 with the aggression of Nazi Germany against Poland. This traumatic date is omnipresent even in contemporary Germany, which is now linked by friendship with Poland. An ultimatum in our time – Voss recalled – expires on the same date: that imposed by the UN Security Council on Iran, requesting it spontaneously to interrupt its programme of nuclear research for civil purposes. […] What have these dates in common?” “To me they teach – reflects Voss – that reciprocal threats inevitably lead to the hardening of positions and often to war. War is not a solution, it never is! […] Our aim must be to promote meeting and dialogue, the development of civic courage and civil society, civil peace services and the resolution of conflicts at the civilian level – also and especially at the present time. We Christians are inspired by the Gospel affirmation ‘Blessed be the peacemakers’ and celebrate this day against war as an occasion to reflect on peace, in concern, in active hope and in commitment to justice, peace and the conservation of the creation”. Voss recalls that Benedict XVI has chosen as the theme of World Peace Day (1st January 2007) “The human person, heart of peace”.
