Meaning of Gaudium et Spes

[Abaxvahl]

“Motivated by this same spirit, we cannot fail to praise those who renounce the use of violence in the vindication of their rights and who resort to methods of defense which are otherwise available to weaker parties too, provided this can be done without injury to the rights and duties of others or of the community itself.”

This is a quote from Gaudium et Spes, to my knowledge this is a vindication/allowance of Catholics to be pacifist/non-violent/non-resistance, although in general this section seems to affirm both Just War theory and pacifism, but nevermind that. My question is the exact meaning of “provided this can be done without injury to the rights and duties of others or of the community itself,” what does it mean?

Does this sentence mean that as long as you do not say that people sin who do violence in legitimate cases you can live this way? Or something else?

Thank you.

 

[Genesis315]

Here’s my guess, using an example: a local municipality could not take the position where its police force would refuse to use violence if that would result in its failure to actually defend the community it is responsible for. A person can take that position in defense of themselves, but sometimes a duty to defend others or the community requires more.