Moral for a soldier to kill?

[ChiroCatholic]

Hi,

I have a friend in Iraq, who asked me a question that I am not equipped to answer. He wants to know whether he commited mortal sin when he killed the enemy. out of respect for his privacy i don’t want to give details, but basically he needed to capture the guys and shot them as they were running away. Is this mortal sin? (he is not Catholic, but says he is searching for the truth. Interestingly, he was the one that used the term “mortal sin”.)

Thanks for your resonses. I care very much for him and want to give him the best “Catholic” answer that I can – one that is both true, and also loving.

 

[Feanaro_s_Wife]

you would be wise to take this question to the AAA forum. You will get a straight answer and not a lot of contradicting opinions, which I’m sure you’ll get here.

malia

 

[StCsDavid]

I believe the real issue for your friend is to take advantage of the counseling offered by the Army Chaplin Service. Killing anyone, even in a war, is not a natural act. His feelings of guilt and remorse are understandable…even if this killing was justified…which we really don’t know, and at this point is kind of irrelevent.

To put his mind at ease, IMHO, this was not a mortal sin. I doubt he was after these guys for double parking…they were more likely enemy combatants. What he needs to do is find a way to accept God’s mercy, and forgive himself. It is an ugly situation that none of us can probably adequately understand and certainly are not in a position to judge.

 

[Constantine312]

God allows war under the proper circumstances. This war is a subject of controversy and opinion. As has been stated already he would do best to speak to a Chaplain or an actual Priest when he gets back stateside. In my personal opinion it also depends on when he joined the military. That is, if he joined before all of this garbage started then he has to do his duty to his country, and I believe no matter how unjustified his country’s actions he himself has to follow orders. Period. However, if he joined after this war, that may be problems. This war IS unjustified and therefore any deaths resulting from our actions, even by individual soldiers doing their duty, is murder.

I would ask a Priest. And btw I am in the military myself, so I am not a military-basher or anything like that. I take this very seriously. I am a part of this murder… and it does bother me deeply also.

 

[mosher]

ChiroCatholic:

Hi,

I have a friend in Iraq, who asked me a question that I am not equipped to answer. He wants to know whether he commited mortal sin when he killed the enemy. out of respect for his privacy i don’t want to give details, but basically he needed to capture the guys and shot them as they were running away. Is this mortal sin? (he is not Catholic, but says he is searching for the truth. Interestingly, he was the one that used the term “mortal sin”.)

Thanks for your resonses. I care very much for him and want to give him the best “Catholic” answer that I can – one that is both true, and also loving.

No, it is a principle to justice that it is not a sin just as long as he is fighting virtuously.

 

[InSearchOfGod]

There will always be controversy as to whether or not a war is just. Perhaps it comes down to the question: why did he kill? If he killed because someone told him to, I don’t buy that as being just. (Ever seen the movie “A Few Good Men” ? ) If he killed because he believed it was for the greater good of God’s people, then I don’t think that could be a sin. How can it be wrong to oppose evil?

But as has been stated, we are really in no position to judge. I certainly can’t see what is in his head, and I have never been in a situation like that. But the great thing is that even if it was a sin, God will forgive.

 

[Lonevoice]

ChiroCatholic:

Hi,

I have a friend in Iraq, who asked me a question that I am not equipped to answer. He wants to know whether he commited mortal sin when he killed the enemy. out of respect for his privacy i don’t want to give details, but basically he needed to capture the guys and shot them as they were running away. Is this mortal sin? (he is not Catholic, but says he is searching for the truth. Interestingly, he was the one that used the term “mortal sin”.)

Thanks for your resonses. I care very much for him and want to give him the best “Catholic” answer that I can – one that is both true, and also loving.

In a word, NO.

He’s a soldier, rendering unto Caesar, so to speak.
(I spent many years in the same dilemma, and finally came to grips with it.)