Day 302: War

The fifth commandment forbids the intentional destruction of human life. Because of the evils and injustices that accompany all war, the Church insistently urges everyone to prayer and to action so that the divine Goodness may free us from the ancient bondage of war. CCC 2307

In today's reading, the Catechism explores Christian teaching on a topic that has plagued mankind since the Battle of the Kings (Gen 14), and undoubtedly even earlier, namely war. Untold millions have suffered, been harmed, and died as a result of the bloodlust we seem to have for each other, stemming from sin (Gen 4:1-16). I myself am a military veteran, coming from a family with a long line of military service. We have military saints in the Church, such as Sts. George, Sebastian, Joan of Arc, Louis IX of France, and others. Yet we all worship the Prince of Peace (Is 9:6), who in His famous Sermon on the Mount teaches peace and nonviolence (Matt 5).  So, how is all of this squared together? The answer is just war theory. War must always be avoided if possible, but self-defense is allowed, not only for individuals but for nations. Bishop Barron does a better job of explaining this in the video below than I can.

The Catechism Compendium summarizes what the moral law requires in the case of war:

Even during a war, the moral law always remains valid. It requires the humane treatment of noncombatants, wounded soldiers, and prisoners of war. Deliberate actions contrary to the law of nations, and the orders that command such actions, are crimes, which blind obedience does not excuse. Acts of mass destruction must be condemned, and likewise the extermination of peoples or ethnic minorities, which are most grievous sins. One is morally bound to resist the orders that command such acts. (#485)

The Catechism Companion Vol III has some great commentary on this:

Members of the military, along with police officers, often serve out of a sense of duty. When they do this with honor, "they truly contribute to the common good of the nation and the maintenance of peace" (CCC 2310). If you are a soldier and you have to kill someone in battle and you carried out your duty honorably, that is not a sin that needs to be confessed. Killing a combatant is not the same thing as murder... We must avoid anger and hatred. But we do not have to hate an enemy to stop that enemy from doing evil. (p. 120)