Fighting for independence

[IgorPoland]

Hi folks,
the christians are told in Romans 13;1-7 that every government is of God and that people should obey their rulers. Peter said that if authorities want us to do something contrary to God’s will, we should not do it (and thus, oppose). My question is somehow connected with the issue of ‘Just war’. If the nation is occupied, but the occupying ruler/government is just and doesn’t harm this people, is the urpising justified? In other words, is the mere need for independence enough to set up an insurgence against the occupying government? I think it is, but what does the church say?

In XIXth century there were two main uprisings in Poland (both against Russian rule). The first was criticised by the Pope (in the Cum Primum** encyclical), but during the second one (30 years later) the Pontiff (another one) called for prayers for Poles.

So, when the government from another country “just” occupies one’s homeland, is it OK (according to the Catholic Church) for him to revolt?

I’m baptized, but don’t think of myself as a Christian (actually, I have a big emptiness in my heart and mind, but that’s the matter for another thread). Sorry for my english if I made any mistakes.
Thanks in advance

 

[Texas_Roofer]

If the nation is occupied, but the occupying ruler/government is just and doesn’t harm this people, is the urpising justified?

No, since the rulers are “just” lasting grave danger is not present, and the opportunity to have peaceful change exists, so war is not justified.

Just war criteria

• the damage inflicted by the aggressor on the nation or community of nations must be lasting, grave, and certain;
• all other means of putting an end to it must have been shown to be impractical or ineffective;
• there must be serious prospects of success;
• the use of arms must not produce evils and disorders graver than the evil to be eliminated. The power of modern means of destruction weighs very heavily in evaluating this condition.