Pacifism and Catholocism

[Robert_Bay]

Warning:

Calling fellow posters names is grounds for suspension or banning. Posts are to be polite.

 

[Matt25]

Anyone interested in the topic of Pacifism and Catholicism might be interested in this article fides.org/eng/vita_chiesa/vescovi_australia250203.html

In 1998 the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council produced two short documents outlining the statements of Pope John Paul II and teachings contained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church on the issue of war. At that time, Iraq was facing the threat of military intervention by a contingent of allied forces. Iraq had failed to meet U.N. Resolutions concerning inspections for weapons of mass destruction and the destruction of those weapons.

This document is provided as a basic resource for local communities, justice groups and individuals who are seeking further information on the Church’s pronouncements on war and peace. It reviews the teachings of the Church on issues of war and peace as contained in the Catechism. Included are excerpts of statements made by the Holy Father and Church leaders around the world.

          Some questions are posed for further reflection.

Two Strands of Church Teaching on Peace and War

There are two strands historically running through the Catholic Church’s responses to questions on the use of force: what we would call today a ‘pacifist’ or non-violent tradition, and the ‘just war’ tradition.

As a rule, the pacifist tradition, exemplified especially in the religious orders, seeks the maintenance of peace using non-violent means. Based on Gospel values and the experience of national and global violence, pacifism regards war as being unthinkable and not to be justified. The just war tradition, on the other hand, opposes the use of force for similar reasons, but concedes that engagement in war may be justified in certain circumstances, under strict moral conditions and only as a last resort, in order to protect the innocent or to restore justice. The case of East Timor is a perfect example.

Though these traditions are strictly logically incompatible, they have co-existed over the centuries. While there is often disagreement between them on specific issues, there are also areas of strong convergence. For example, in response to emerging forms of warfare involving the threat of mass destruction, the pacifist and just war traditions often find themselves as one in calling for dialogue and the art of diplomacy as a means for avoiding the use of force.

It is also important to understand that the Church’s teachings on war and peace have changed greatly over time and will continue to do so in response to new situations. The just war theory, which was formalised in the 5th Century by St Augustine, has continued to evolve as a moral framework for considering the changing nature and circumstances of conflict and, when it is acceptable, to engage in war as a response to aggression.

Today, questions have been raised about the adequacy of the ‘just war’ theory in responding to emerging forms of aggression which include ethnic cleansing and global terrorism. Would the suspected possession of weapons of mass destruction by so-called ‘rogue’ states constitute a certain threat or even an actual aggression that would justify the use of force? Could pre-emptive military action be justified?..

 

[Hospitaller]

As it has changed, so it may change back.