Was the Cristero War in Mexico legitimate and worthy of praise for forcing the Mexican government to ease it’s anti-clerical attacks on the Catholic Church?
I mean from the look of it it seemed the Mexican government at the time was content with trying to eradicate all signs of Catholicism from Mexican society. If faced with such persecution is it right for Catholics to take up arms against the government?
This is one (especially egregious) example of the rationale for a “Just War” (as notably espoused by St. Thomas Aquinas, among many other (and prior) Christian and pagan philosophers).
This philosophy is not without controversy - it seems to be contrary to Jesus’ teaching to “turn the other cheek” when faced with violent persecution. Although the Church recognizes Aquinas as a Doctor of the Faith (and, actually , THE Doctor of the Faith) as well Ambrose (who shared this opinion, and is also a Saint and Doctor of the Church), She has not specifically addressed or endorsed the idea of a Just War. This philosophy remains the widely-accepted opinion of many esteemed Saints and theologians of the Church, but is not (yet) a defined doctrine of the Church.
So I would conclude that Catholics are in good standing to take up arms and oppose such overt oppression, but are not entirely supported by Catholic doctrine.
I agree with the above Poster that “Just War” is something we are more “stuck with” than endorse.
In my opinion this a legacy from when the Church became entwined with civil government at and after the time of Constantine and more especially after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. From that point until - effectively - the Mid 1800’s and even up until the fall of the Papal States and the Lateran Treaty of 1929, the Church was both a spiritual and civil government.
The problem was that the Church, in this dual role was forced to try and balance the needs of each and out of this came various rules and teachings and doctrines regarding the appropriate use of war.
For today, the Catechism provides insight into how the Church views such matters. You can read about it HERE.
The problem in this for the OP is that the catechism addresses only matters of relations between nations. It does not speak to civil rebellion or insurection or violent resistance to the actions of a civil government.
The problem in this for the OP is that the catechism addresses only matters of relations between nations. It does not speak to civil rebellion or insurection or violent resistance to the actions of a civil government.
Well, I think it takes a small amount of common sense that a just war also would apply, just as lethal force is allowed to protect your family. So put it this way. If it’s okay to support your military fighting men and even join them to defend your nation from an invading army, why would it be wrong for men to take up arms if their government begins to squash Catholic priests, outlaw religion and turn Catholic Churches into stables (like what happened in Mexico).
I think too many people take their freedom for granted and lack basic knowledge of history. Freedom isn’t free, and the freedom you enjoy was bought at a high price… If it is okay to fight for your country, it’s certainly okay to fight for your religion.
An American cannot stand up and celebrate the war of Independence and wave flags to commemorate freedom from high taxes and British tyranny, and then turn around and condemn poor Mexicans, farmers and common folk who were just fighting to defend their churches from being destroyed and their priests from being slaughtered.
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