Abstract
Summary: An analysis of the relationship between justice, mercy and peace in the New Testament reveals mercy as an indispensable element of the Gospel. St. Thomas identifies mercy as directed essentially towards others who are suffering and he distinguishes the perfect peace of heaven from the imperfect peace attainable on earth. He insists that mercy and peace be rooted firmly in the truth, in the true good of human beings. Modern magisterium follows these lines and examines more deeply the relationship between mercy, justice and love of neighbor and between justice and peace. The article assesses the role of mercy in some contemporary concrete cases.
Key words: mercy, justice, peace, authentic human good, fundamental human rights, civil rights, role of the state, immigration, war.
