Church teaching on violence

[Pete_1]

Does anyone have any information about the Church’s teaching on violence more specifically at what point violence becomes a Mortal sin?

Thanks,
pete

 

[rpp]

I cannot cite any sources. However here is what my common sense tells me.

Violence is permissible when:

• Defending against an attacker (yourself or another person). The response must be proportional but potentially deadly force is permissible.
• Initiating a just war with the intent to fight it in according to the established rules of war.
• Being a solder in an army and engaging in battle. (Not against the unarmed, not against prisoners, non-combatants must be unharmed in every way possible.)
• When your wife doesn’t fix dinner on time or the kids are being too noisy. (JUST KIDDING!!! Domestic abuse in the home is one of the worse forms violence and always gravely (mortally) sinful and evil.)
  If someone can cite a source that expands this, confirms any of this or refutes any of this, I would welcome it. Charitable correction is always helpful and well received.

 

[Pete_1]

Is striking someone in anger grave matter?

I would appreciate a source for any answers.

Thanks,

 

[rpp]

Is striking someone in anger grave matter?

I would appreciate a source for any answers.

Thanks,

I would say that, barring mitigating circumstances, like they are attacking you, then yes, striking someone in anger is a very grave matter.

Being angry for an unjust reason, and acting on that anger is called wrath. It is one of the capital sins. From the Catechism.

                                                                                       1866 Vices can be classified according to the virtues they oppose, or also be linked to the *capital sins* which Christian experience has distinguished, following St. John Cassian and St. Gregory the Great. They are called "capital" because they engender other sins, other vices.[ 138](http://www.kofc.org/publications/cis/catechism/getnote.cfm?ParNum=1866&FNoteNum=138) They are pride, avarice, envy, **wrath**, lust, gluttony, and sloth or acedia.