Can R.C. Priests be armed?

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So here’s my question, can Roman Catholic Priests be armed? My answer is, Yes.
Backstory: i’ve been called to be a priest and am finally answering that call. I was confirmed into the faith as St. Raphael the Archangel. Ok yes this a poorly written article, please be patient.

And my argument for priests being armed: Archangels Michael and Raphael are armed, shepherds are armed (that whole shepherding the flock thing). Michael carries a shield and spear, Raphael carries a staff, staves are used by shepherds to split the skulls of wolves, as well as those of cattle rustlers. There we go again defending the flock. Raphael shepherded Tobias through his trails and tribulations in the book of Tobit.
Priests give up all that they have to take on the task of shepherding God’s flock and rounding up those that stray. In war torn countries from the Congo to Afghanistan it would make great sense to either rearm and dispatch the orders of knights or at least arm the Priests. For example: if an orphanage were attacked some one should hold the line and permit the retreat of the orphans and their caretakers, should they not? If a priest is a shepherd should he not defend the flock he is assigned?
My point of view, if they have come for me, so be it, if they come for what I have sworn to protect, then I will will fight and die where I stand, having laid down my life for my friends, stayed and died in thier place so they may escape as Christ died for us? How could a single unarmed man buy any amount of time against thirty armed men? Looking for a reasonable/ scriptural rebuttal.
*in reference to combat arms/ self defense not in regards to hunting
 
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Sorry I’m interested in fact as to whether priests in USA actually own guns?
 
I know several i my diocese who are avid deer hunters and keep their rifles (securely) in their rectory
 
Legally yes, my Monsiegnior has a rifle that he goes hunting with.
 
My old bishop was a hunter. I never directly asked, but I presume he owned arms with which to hunt.
 
CCC 2263-2265

Legitimate defense

2263 The
legitimate defense of persons and societies is not an exception to the
prohibition against the murder of the innocent that constitutes
intentional killing. "The act of self-defense can have a double effect:
the preservation of one’s own life; and the killing of the aggressor.
. . . The one is intended, the other is not."65

2264
Love toward oneself remains a fundamental principle of morality.
Therefore it is legitimate to insist on respect for one’s own right to
life. Someone who defends his life is not guilty of murder even if he is
forced to deal his aggressor a lethal blow:

If a man in self-defense uses more than
necessary violence, it will be unlawful: whereas if he repels force with
moderation, his defense will be lawful. . . . Nor is it necessary for
salvation that a man omit the act of moderate self-defense to avoid
killing the other man, since one is bound to take more care of one’s own
life than of another’s.66

2265
Legitimate defense can be not only a right but a grave duty for one who
is responsible for the lives of others. The defense of the common good
requires that an unjust aggressor be rendered unable to cause harm. For
this reason, those who legitimately hold authority also have the right
to use arms to repel aggressors against the civil community entrusted to
their responsibility.
 
I’ve never heard of a single case where a Catholic Priest shot someone.

If someone knows differently, I would be interested to hear of it.
 
Note also that in Scripture, Jesus commanded the Twelve
to arm themselves(Luke 22:36)!!
 
Neato. Wondering what the context is though. pulls bible out of backpack* begins reading*
 
Take a look at what Padre Pio did when intervening in WWII affairs.

You can also consider, for example, how many lives were saved by a priest we know as Pius XII.

Father Kapaun and Father Capadano didn’t carry weapons. I think that says something.
 
Well, of course they can. Doesn’t anyone watch Monsignor Martínez?
 
From the example of the Cristero movement in Mexico in the 1920’s,
I think it wise to arm priests.

From CCC 2265
Legitimate defense can be not only a right but a grave duty for one who
is responsible for the lives of others. The defense of the common good
requires that an unjust aggressor be rendered unable to cause harm. For
this reason, those who legitimately hold authority also have the right
to use arms to repel aggressors against the civil community entrusted to
their responsibility.
 
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They were bound by Geneva conventions concerning unarmed chaplains, though.

EDIT- this is incorrect. see post 28.
 
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I see nothing wrong with priests being armed. The situation makes a difference. If the priest is carrying their weapon during mass in a peaceful part of the world, some people might be uncomfortable. It might be better to not carry or (maybe concealed carry). If this church is instead in a very high crime area, it makes sense that the priest would feel the need to defend himself and his flock.
 
During Mass at all would be excessive, IMO…

However, keeping a shotgun/pistol secure yet accessible? Smart.
 
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