In the military, if i must work on sunday is it still a sin?

[GamerForGod]

I am in the Air Force, and normally i only work monday through friday, but as one might imagine, when i am deployed i MUST work on some sundays, sometimes i don’t even get the choice to go to mass.
i need to know if i am in a state of mortal, or even venial sin if i am made to work on sundays while deployed. i really don’t have much of a choice, but it was my choice to join the military, so i feel i could still possibly be held accountable by God.
any ideas?

-Cory

 

[marchoi]

The Catechism makes it clear that Sunday should be a day of rest. However, exceptions can be made: “Family needs or important social service can legitimately excuse from the obligation of Sunday rest.” (CCC 2185), “Traditional activities (sport, restaurants, etc.), and social necessities (public services, etc.), require some people to work on Sundays, but everyone should still take care to set aside sufficient time for leisure.” (CCC 2187). Military service, like service in a police, fire-fighting, or EMT force, would fall under “social necessities.” The Church understands the need to ensure the safety and peace of society and will allow excepts to be made. As Jesus says, the sabbath was made for man, not vice versa.

This also holds for days of fasting and abstinence - if you hold an occupation where fasting would necessarily impede your ability to carry out your duties (once again, military, police, fire-fighting, etc.), you are dispensed from the obligation to fast. Of course, if you desire, you can still fast…

 

[GamerForGod]

wow, thanks Marchoi, that is a very informative answer and pretty much all i was looking for.
that makes me feel a lot better.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

See 1 Maccabees 2:32-42

32 Many pursued them, and overtook them; they encamped opposite them and prepared for battle against them on the sabbath day. 33 And they said to them, “Enough of this! Come out and do what the king commands, and you will live.” 34 But they said, “We will not come out, nor will we do what the king commands and so profane the sabbath day.” 35 Then the enemy * hastened to attack them. 36 But they did not answer them or hurl a stone at them or block up their hiding places, 37 for they said, “Let us all die in our innocence; heaven and earth testify for us that you are killing us unjustly.” 38 So they attacked them on the sabbath, and they died, with their wives and children and cattle, to the number of a thousand persons. 39 When Mattathias and his friends learned of it, they mourned for them deeply. 40 And each said to his neighbor: “If we all do as our brethren have done and refuse to fight with the Gentiles for our lives and for our ordinances, they will quickly destroy us from the earth.” 41 So they made this decision that day: “Let us fight against every man who comes to attack us on the sabbath day; let us not all die as our brethren died in their hiding places.” 42 Then there united with them a company of Hasideans, mighty warriors of Israel, every one who offered himself willingly for the law.

 

[diggerdomer]

I am in the Air Force, and normally i only work monday through friday, but as one might imagine, when i am deployed i MUST work on some sundays, sometimes i don’t even get the choice to go to mass.
i need to know if i am in a state of mortal, or even venial sin if i am made to work on sundays while deployed. i really don’t have much of a choice, but it was my choice to join the military, so i feel i could still possibly be held accountable by God.
any ideas?

-Cory

You are not in sin merely by the fact that you have to work on some Sundays. I was in the military too.

Rather than the issue of working on Sundays, I’d encourage you to pray and reflect on the other aspects of military life that may pose problems for living a Christian life.

Peace.

 

[GamerForGod]

Rather than the issue of working on Sundays, I’d encourage you to pray and reflect on the other aspects of military life that may pose problems for living a Christian life…

I have some ideas of what you might be talking about, but if you don’t mind could you elaborate a bit on this?

 

[diggerdomer]

Well, the most immediate concern I have in mind is the unjust war in Iraq that violates Catholic social teaching. I can’t imagine how difficult it would have been for me if I was in the military at a time like this. The war in Iraq is unjust, according to Catholic teaching as I understand it, and I don’t see a way around that. So, if I were in the military now, regardless of my job or station, I would think I’d have a huge moral dilemma. Related to this, though, is the concern of whether or not someone in the military has the freedom to conscientiously object to a war/action that violates their conscience (whether it’s Iraq, now, or some action in the future). I never had to face this when I was in the Navy (we weren’t at war at the time) so I’m respectful of how hard a decision this might be.

Best wishes

 

[Cetil]

Paragraph 2309 of the catechism says this:
“The evaluation of these conditions for moral legitimacy belongs to the prudential judgment of those who have responsibility for the common good.”
That of course means the government. I think the important thing to keep in mind here is that when a war breaks out those who are already serving in the military do not have to evaluate whether it is just or not. They can assume it is. Those who may not be in the military when war starts do have to make the decision whether they can morally participate. That was my understanding from reading Father Hardon’s catechism long ago.
Mind you, we are only talking about an initial decision of participation and not the morality of certain acts of the war.

Regards,

c.