Cardinal Fernández calls for renewing just war doctrine through contextual theology, emphasizing discernment, inculturation, and global dialogue.
Newsroom (13/05/2026 Gaudium Press ) At the Pontifical Urbaniana University on May 12, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, issued a pointed critique of the contemporary use of the Church’s doctrine of just war. Speaking during a Study Day dedicated to contextual theology, he warned that the framework—while historically valuable—has been stretched and misapplied in current political discourse.
Fernández cautioned that some Catholic political groups, often encouraged by clergy, are invoking the concept of “legitimate defense” to justify nearly any armed conflict. By broadly interpreting or minimizing the doctrine’s criteria, he argued, these actors risk diluting its ethical rigor. “This demonstrates the need to adapt this doctrine to the current context, to rethink it, and to make it more precise and meaningful,” he said, highlighting the urgency of theological renewal in light of modern realities.
Contextual Theology as a Tool for Discernment
Central to Fernández’s argument was the role of contextual theology, which he presented as a necessary framework for avoiding the instrumentalization of doctrine. Rather than promoting relativism, contextual theology offers a disciplined way to re-examine inherited categories and apply them with discernment in specific historical and cultural settings.
The Study Day, titled “Milestones of Contextual Theology Today,” echoed the vision laid out by Pope Francis in Ad theologiam promovendam, which calls for a theology rooted in context. Professor Steve Bevans described this direction as a “true magisterial turning point,” underscoring its significance for contemporary theological reflection.
Revisiting a Contested Theological Debate
Drawing on personal experience, Fernández revisited a 2007 controversy involving Jesuit theologian Jon Sobrino, a figure associated with liberation theology. At the time, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith had issued a Notification criticizing Sobrino’s emphasis on the poor as a primary theological reference point.
Fernández defended a more nuanced position, arguing that while the faith of the Church remains the fundamental starting point, it does not exclude other complementary perspectives. He introduced the concept of an “inevitable immediate context,” suggesting that theology must also respond to the lived realities of people, especially those experiencing suffering.
This stance initially generated resistance in Rome and delayed approval of his academic appointment. In a subsequent 2011 text, Fernández clarified his position while reaffirming that the Church’s faith provides the deepest foundation for understanding and responding to the dignity of the marginalized. He insisted that theology risks becoming detached if it ignores the historical and social conditions in which believers live.
The Kerygma at the Center
Despite advocating for contextual sensitivity, Fernández emphasized that all theological reflection must remain anchored in the Gospel’s core message—the kerygma. This proclamation of the living Christ, he argued, is not merely introductory but should permeate all theological work. It is the source from which authentic engagement with context emerges.
A Tradition of Contextual Thinking
Professor Bevans traced the roots of contextual theology through Christian history, noting that theological development has always been shaped by concrete circumstances. From biblical texts to the works of Augustine and Thomas Aquinas, doctrine has consistently engaged with its historical moment.
He pointed to the Council of Nicaea as an example of how theological language can incorporate contemporary philosophical categories without compromising faith. Similarly, Pope Leo XIII’s Rerum Novarum was cited as a response to the social upheavals of the Industrial Revolution—demonstrating theology’s responsiveness to changing conditions.
Cultural Pluralism and Theological Expression
Father Ambroise Atakpa linked contextual theology with cultural pluralism, arguing that the diversity of cultures necessitates diverse theological expressions. He recalled early missionary guidance advising against imposing European cultural forms, emphasizing instead the transmission of faith in ways that respect local customs.
The International Theological Commission’s 1972 document on theological pluralism further supports this view, stating that faith must be continually reinterpreted within different cultures. While the Gospel leads cultures toward fulfillment, it also challenges them through critical engagement.
Voices from the Global Church
The Study Day featured contributions from theologians representing all five continents, illustrating how context shapes theological reflection worldwide.
In Oceania, rising sea levels threaten island nations such as Kiribati and Tuvalu, prompting theology to take on a prophetic role in environmental advocacy. In Latin America, liberation theology continues to emphasize the poor as active subjects of reflection, shaped by social and economic realities.
Europe, by contrast, faces what some describe as a “spiritual emptiness,” marked by diffuse searching and uncertainty. Theological proposals there increasingly present Christianity as an inviting path rather than a rigid system.
In Asia, theology integrates dialogue with cultures, religions, and the poor, prioritizing lived experience and practice. African theology, meanwhile, has developed rich cultural expressions of Christ, portraying him through local symbols and emphasizing the Church as a “family of God.”
Toward a New Catholicity
The event concluded with a vision of “theological catholicity” grounded in mutual exchange among local theologies. Fernández criticized overreliance on narrowly defined theological traditions and called for a renewed reading of the Gospel through diverse human experiences.
Bevans reinforced this outlook, suggesting that contextual theologies are a step toward a broader, more interconnected theological future. “Theologies can always learn from one another,” he said, stressing that engagement with the global Church is essential for authentic development.
Ultimately, the discussions underscored that contextual theology is not a departure from tradition but a deepening of it—one that seeks to engage the complexity of the world while remaining faithful to the Gospel’s core message.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Fides News
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