Terror Attacks: How do we apply ‘older Church doctrine’ to the present-day problem of terrorism?

[CenturionSlave]

I have a few questions regarding official Church position regarding war in our present-day dilemma of terror attacks. It seems that the catechism addresses war within the context of nations. (CCC 2307- 2314) I see no “just-war doctrine” that might apply to terror attacks. And because terror cells permeate and exist in many countries (and vacuums of former countries), it becomes problematic to apply these (nation focused) positions. Perhaps it is a distinction without a difference?

It seems (to me) that hatred is the real sin here. And CCC 2304 addresses this. But the connection or manifestation of hatred via war seems open-ended. Remember, many of the perpetrator/terrorist killers were NOT of poverty. Their interest (debatable) seems more of an anarchist nature. Does the Church anticipate and “sanction” a return to (physical) persecutions of the aggregate church? We are called to love our enemies and pray for others, like them. We can do that, BUT do we (the church) also share a responsibility to protect those innocent people (universal church) who are targeted. And wouldn’t a clarification from the Church help us toward a solution?

Two final questions: Given the presumed hatred that these terrorists have for Christians, what specific efforts are in place for the physical protection our Pontiff and Rome? (It seems odd that given the hatred for Christians, that the Vatican has not been targeted. Or has it and we are not told? Or is Divine intervention at work here?) Further, how is the government of Italy providing measures toward “vetting” immigrants in this protection effort?

Thank you in advance for your responses.

 

[Strydersroom]

The answer is very simple and very zen. Love is the only thing capable of turning an enemy into a friend. To paraphrase Jimmy Carter war is rarely if ever necessary and always evil. We can never survive in the future by killing each other’s children. The cycle must end and one day we must have peace and try to unite the world as impossible as that may seem especially in today’s divided world, us vs them.

 

[JonNC]

The answer is very simple and very zen. Love is the only thing capable of turning an enemy into a friend. To paraphrase Jimmy Carter war is rarely if ever necessary and always evil. We can never survive in the future by killing each other’s children. The cycle must end and one day we must have peace and try to unite the world as impossible as that may seem especially in today’s divided world, us vs them.

I would tend to want to agree, but the evidence in Germany seems to contradict. Syrian refugees seem to be on a killing spree of Germans who opened their borders and arms to them.
I think it is always important to point out that true peace, the peace the world cannot give itself, only comes via the one true Triune God.

Jon

 

[CenturionSlave]

JonNC and Strydersroom, Thank you for your respective responses. Interestingly, I have yet to see a Catholic respond to my question. It would help (I think) to further the discussion on this topic (something I had hoped for). Maybe I’ve chosen the wrong forum to post the question. But anyway, I wanted to let it be known to you both that I appreciate your (name removed by moderator)ut.
C.S.

 

[JonNC]

JonNC and Strydersroom, Thank you for your respective responses. Interestingly, I have yet to see a Catholic respond to my question. It would help (I think) to further the discussion on this topic (something I had hoped for). Maybe I’ve chosen the wrong forum to post the question. But anyway, I wanted to let it be known to you both that I appreciate your (name removed by moderator)ut.
C.S.

You’re welcome. I’m sure this is the right forum and the Catholics will come.

Jon

 

[Hatikvah]

I don’t think doctrine can help anyone. Faith, love and prayer can, yes, because those are active and partake in the hopes and joys of humanity, but also in the sorrows and struggles of humanity.

Doctrine is simply… doctrinal. Yes, doctrine is important, especially sound doctrine (cf. 2 Timothy 4:3). But, again, that is not the apex of the Christian life and experience! Of faith, hope and charity (love), the greatest of them is charity (1 Corinthians 13:13).

 

[mikekle]

I would imagine the Vatican updates their security and keeps an eye on any threats, I mean, one of ISIS main goals is to overthrow the Vatican and kill the Pope, so its a good bet security is on top of the situation, but no one can protect against every threat.

Ive said before, this war on terror is unlike anything we have ever seen before, the field level fighters are not fighting just because their leaders are telling them to, its something they literally believe in, we ARE the infidel, the enemy, to them. As children they were brought up with these beliefs, thats not going to easily change, and the ones fighting today are doing the same thing their parents did, they are instilling those same beliefs in their kids, so on and so on.

This is something that will likely go on forever, or at least until a larger more global threat comes along, like a big asteroid on a collision course with earth, maybe then, they would set their beliefs aside, but who knows, maybe not.

When a person is raised in a certain religion by their family, no matter what it is, it is almost impossible for that to be changed later on in life, It would take Mohammad himself coming down and telling them to their faces they are wrong.

Some believe this ‘war on terror’ was predicted in the bible, and its part of a larger prophecy, they have some pretty good points I have seen.

 

[Rosebud77]

The utter pain and shock of what is happening daily and many times a day here in Europe as well as the US, stuns. Not enough to stop the utter total suffering.

I am old now and can do nothing physically or in any other way. BUT I can and do pray and as we were taught by song in the last war, above all, “Keep the home fires burning,” comfort those around me, make sure that those we support eg feeding the homeless, still get fed and cared for.

My daily prayer always is, “Help me , Lord Jesus, to be as Thee to all I meet today in whatever way…”
The deepest doctrine is sheerly love. Comforting . reassuring… from my quiet mountain top in deepest rural Ireland