Tuesday, May 7, 2013
484. In danger of war, who has the responsibility for the rigorous evaluation of these conditions?
(Comp 484) This responsibility belongs to the prudential judgment of government
officials who also have the right to impose on citizens the obligation of
national defense. The personal right to conscientious objection makes an
exception to this obligation which should then be carried out by another form
of service to the human community.
“In brief”
(CCC 2330) "Blessed are the
peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" (Mt 5:9).
To deepen and
explain
(CCC 2309) The strict conditions for legitimate defense by military force require rigorous
consideration. The gravity of such a decision makes it subject to rigorous
conditions of moral legitimacy. At one and the same time: - 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 modem means of destruction
weighs very heavily in evaluating this condition. These are the traditional
elements enumerated in what is called the "just war" doctrine. The
evaluation of these conditions for moral legitimacy belongs to the prudential
judgment of those who have responsibility for the common good.
Reflection
(CCC 2304) Respect for and development of human life require
peace. 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
tranquillity of order" (St. Augustine, De
civ. Dei, 19, 13, 1: PL 41, 640). Peace is the work of justice and the
effect of charity (Cf. Isa 32:17; cf. GS
78 §§ 1-2). (CCC 2305) Earthly peace is
the image and fruit of the peace of
Christ, the messianic "Prince of Peace" (Isa 9:5). By the blood
of his Cross, "in his own person he killed the hostility" (Eph 2:16
J.B.; cf. Col 1:20-22), 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" (Eph 2:14). He has declared: "Blessed are the
peacemakers" (Mt 5:9). 5
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