Regarding killing

[OnlyAmbrose]

Hello all,

I’m a Midshipman on a flight contract for the Marine Corps. I’ve considered becoming a priest when I get out, but I’ve heard that there are rules which forbid anyone who has killed another human being for any reason from becoming a priest.

If I get a fighter platform (F-18 or F-35) it is almost guaranteed that people will die as a result of my actions, given the nature of the mission of these jets. I would like to know where the rules regarding eligibility for the priesthood are stated.

If this kind of work would indeed bar me from the priesthood, I suppose a great deal of reflection will be necessary before I decide on preferences for a platform. At the moment jets are my top choice, but I have plenty of time to change my mind… Though regardless, being in the Marine Corps in any job means accepting the possibility of being called on to kill - I know a good deal of pilots who have been sent on IA’s. I suppose most of my eligibility will be up to the Lord by the time I get out.

Thanks in advance for any answers.

 

[Allen537]

From the Codex:

Can. 1041 The following are irregular for receiving orders:

1/ a person who labors under some form of amentia or other psychic illness due to which, after experts have been consulted, he is judged unqualified to fulfill the ministry properly;

2/ a person who has committed the delict of apostasy, heresy, or schism;

3/ a person who has attempted marriage, even only civilly, while either impeded personally from entering marriage by a matrimonial bond, sacred orders, or a public perpetual vow of chastity, or with a woman bound by a valid marriage or restricted by the same type of vow;

4/ a person who has committed voluntary homicide or procured a completed abortion and all those who positively cooperated in either;

5/ a person who has mutilated himself or another gravely and maliciously or who has attempted suicide;

6/ a person who has placed an act of orders reserved to those in the order of episcopate or presbyterate while either lacking that order or prohibited from its exercise by some declared or imposed canonical penalty.

It would appear that you are worried about Canon 1041 n. 4

“homicide” is murder… a solider that kills in the line of duty is not considered to have committed murder…

I hope this helps.