Today, we will conclude our discussion of the 5th
commandment,
You shall not kill.
This commandment, while it is directed at individuals,
should also be taken as good advice for collective bodies, such as states,
nations, and world organizations.
Nations and peoples should develop a life affirming mentality, a respect
for human life. The Catechism points
out that generating this respect is impossible without peace. In # 2304, the
Catechism gives a beautiful definition of peace that is worth quoting in full: Peace
is not merely the absence of war, and it is not limited to maintaining a
balance of powers between adversaries. Peace cannot be attained on earth
without safeguarding the goods of persons, free communication among men,
respect for the dignity of persons and peoples, and the assiduous practice of
fraternity. Peace is "the tranquility of order." Peace is
the work of justice and the effect of charity. Notice
it says peace is not simply the
absence of war; rather it is the presence
of justice. It is very possible to say
a nation, though it not be at war, may also not be at peace. Many might say that about our country today. There are multiple components to peace, as
the beautiful definition above states, and usually, at least one of the components is missing.
But the Catechism’s definition of peace does not stop
there. It goes deeper, adding an
important spiritual element to it in #2305.
Earthly peace is the image and fruit of the peace of Christ, the messianic "Prince of Peace." By
the blood of his Cross, "in his own person he killed the hostility,"
he reconciled men with God and made his Church the sacrament of the unity
of the human race and of its union with God. "He is our peace." He
has declared: "Blessed are the peacemakers." If we want
peace, we need to look the example of Christ, and seek his grace. Christ must be acknowledged as the King
of the Universe for the world to experience true peace.
The absence of war indeed does not guarantee peace. However, the presence of war ensures it is
not present. Therefore, the Church calls
on all of us as individuals and collective entities to work for the avoidance
of war. However, the Church does acknowledge,
just as individuals have the right to defend themselves, nations have a similar
right. There are strict conditions
where the use of military force may be justified.
The Catechism lays them out for us in #2309:
- the damage inflicted by the aggressor on the nation or community of
nations must be lasting, grave, and certain;
- all other means of putting an end to it must have been shown to be
impractical or ineffective;
- there must be serious prospects of success;
- the use of arms must not produce evils and disorders graver than the
evil to be eliminated. The power of modern means of destruction weighs very
heavily in evaluating this condition.
The Church has long held that while peace should be a goal of individuals and nations,
pacifism is not necessarily the way to that, and there are times when war may
be justified, under the strict conditions listed above. Like with the death penalty, however,
conditions that would make war justified grow lesser as time goes
on, especially in this age where nations have extremely powerful capabilities for destruction.
If war does occur, it does not mean that everything suddenly becomes
morally licit. We must treat prisoners
and wounded soldiers humanely.
Individuals and groups, such as ethnic groups, cannot ever be targeted for extermination,
nor can cities and other heavily populated areas be targeted indiscriminately. This is a particular danger in today’s
climate where nations have access to nuclear weapons. Speaking of nuclear weapons, the Church is
skeptical that the building up of arms (“arms races”) is an effective way of
building peace. It deters resources
from other measures, such as aid for the needy, and increase the risk of
escalation, which often leads to war. Leaders have a duty to monitor and regulate the
production and sales of arms.
Finally, the Catechism notes that societal conditions, such
as excessive economic and social inequalities, as well as excessive
nationalism, often threaten peace, and can lead to war. What we do to control these disorders can
help lead to peace, and avoid war.
Let us indeed be peacemakers, as Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, commands us. Let us first have peace
with God, which will lead to peace with ourselves, which will lead to peace
with our neighbors, and which will hopefully lead to peace among nations.
Joseph most strong, pray for us.
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