Exiit qui seminat

Since February of 2022 and most recently this past October, we have come face to face with the horrors of war, the concept of the sovereignty of nations and the right for nations and people to defend themselves. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, "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" (2307). While all humanity needs to strive for peace, there are times like these, in which legitimate defense against an aggressor is inevitable. Through the theology of St. Augustine, the Catholic Church has a framework that allows defense against an enemy to be morally permissible - the just war doctrine. St. Augustine argued that war should only be waged for a just and morally defensible reason, such as self-defense against aggression, protection of innocent life, or the restoration of peace and order. A just cause is one that upholds the principles of justice and righteousness.  In addition, war should be declared and conducted by a legitimate authority, typically a government or ruler, and not by individuals or rogue groups. The authority must have the proper jurisdiction and moral legitimacy to make such a decision. Also, the intention behind going to war should be noble and virtuous. The primary goal of a just war should be to reestablish peace, protect innocent lives, or defend against aggression, rather than pursuing selfish or immoral objectives.  As stated above, war should only be considered after all peaceful means of resolving the conflict have been exhausted.  St. Augustine emphasized the importance of diplomacy, negotiation, and nonviolent alternatives before resorting to armed conflict. When waging war, the use of force should be proportionate to the harm being suffered or the threat posed. Excessive or indiscriminate use of force should be avoided, and efforts should be made to minimize harm to noncombatants.  With that in mind, combatants should distinguish between combatants and non-combatants. Deliberate harm to civilians is morally unacceptable, and measures should be taken to protect non-combatants from harm. A just war should have a reasonable chance of success, as waging a war with no realistic prospects of achieving its just goals would result in unnecessary suffering and destruction. Finally, during the course of the war, the means employed should be morally acceptable, adhering to ethical principles and avoiding actions that would violate human dignity or basic moral standards.  The unfortunate reality is that while we are more than aware of what is happening in Ukraine and Israel, there are more than 110 armed conflicts throughout the world. As a parish, we continue to pray for peace and an end to conflict.  We pray for justice and the dignity of all human life. In addition we turn to Our Lady, Queen of Peace, to intercede on our behalf to her Son, the Lord of Heaven and Earth to bring an end to violence and war in our society, our country and our world.