Vatican Cardinal Criticizes EU for Double Standards on War

Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, has sharply criticized the European Union for its "double standards" in applying international law and sanctioning military invasions. Speaking at a closed Vatican meeting on war convened by Pope Francis, Fernandez argued that nations increasingly tailor moral and legal principles to political expediency rather than adhering to universal standards.

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If a country is an enemy, it is condemned as undemocratic and sanctioned in various ways, but if it is an ally, the fact that it lacks freedom of expression, human rights, or democracy is ignored.

"If a country is an enemy, it is condemned as undemocratic and sanctioned in various ways, but if it is an ally, the fact that it lacks freedom of expression, human rights, or democracy is ignored," Fernandez stated. He pointed to the EU's inconsistent foreign policy, noting that the bloc imposes economic sanctions on one nation while sending financial aid and weapons to another, yet fails to act similarly against "even more serious invasions with even more brutal consequences."

These contradictions, Fernandez asserted, reveal that concerns are often reduced to the political and economic interests of different global regions. "There is no longer a true and stable framework of truth and values," he declared, opening the gathering. The Pope convened the meeting to examine what he calls a global "culture of power" fueling modern conflicts and to consider the Church's response.

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EU introduces economic sanctions on one country and sends financial aid and weapons to another, yet fails to do the same in the face of other, even more serious invasions with even more brutal consequences for the entire population.

The discussions also focused on the Pope's efforts to re-examine the traditional doctrine of just war. Fernandez argued that this doctrine, which has historically defined the conditions under which military force might be justified, is now too often used to legitimize "the most unjust wars." Instead of preventing conflicts, he contended, the doctrine helps to justify them. To counter this, Fernandez called for understanding the justification of legitimate self-defense in the "strictest sense," rejecting the broad logic of preemptive war that governments increasingly invoke.

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There is no longer a true and stable framework of truth and values.

The Vatican synthesis of discussions indicated that many cardinal working groups agreed on the need to move beyond the traditional just war doctrine. Pope Francis, in his closing remarks, suggested the debate is far from over, welcoming the cardinals' advice on re-examining the Church's teachings on war.

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the justification of legitimate self-defense must be understood in the 'strictest sense'