Short Answer: The Church and Just War

Dear Apologist, What does the Church teach about the justifiability of war?

In Saint Paul’s letter to the Romans, he describes the role of the government in relation to the public good.  He says, “For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword in vain. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer” [Rom 13:1-4].  Recognizing that swords are not for hugging, the Church teaches that governing authorities have the right to use force to preserve public safety.  This includes the possibility of military defense. [CCC 2267, 2310]

However, due to the grave moral hazards involved in armed conflict, the Church stipulates strict criteria for what constitutes a legitimate use of military force.   The Catechism states that a defensive war may be licitly engaged in if the following criteria are simultaneously met: “1. The damage inflicted by the aggressor on the nation or community of nations must be lasting, grave, and certain.  2. All other means of putting an end to it must have been shown to be impractical or ineffective. 3. There must be serious prospects of success.  4. The use of arms must not produce evils graver than the evil to be eliminated. 5. The Church asserts the permanent validity of the moral law during armed conflict. Non-combatants, wounded soldiers, and prisoners must be respected and treated humanely.” [CCC 2309]

So while the Church does not say we are required to be pacifists, we should not be surprised if the religion founded by the Prince of Peace would be the harshest critic of the use of military force.  The Catholic faithful are called to work and pray for peace.

Steven O'Keefe (the ACTS Apologist)

If you want to ask a question, send an email to OLMC.ACTS@gmail.com