Safeguarding Peace
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Simplified
Anger - Revenge - Hatred (2302-2303)
Jesus denounced murderous anger and hatred. When anger is a desire for revenge, it is illicit. However, restitution can be imposed "to correct vices and to maintain order" (St. Thomas Aquinas). Anger is grave when it becomes a desire to kill or seriously wound another. "Anyone who is angry with his brother, shall be liable to judgment" (Mt 5:22).
Hatred is sinful when the person deliberately wills harm to another. The sin is grave when the person desires grave harm. "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Mt 5:44).
Varied Aspects of Peace (2304-2305)
Human life requires peace which is not just an absence of war or a balance of power. Peace demands safeguarding the goods of persons, the freedom of communication, and respect for the personal dignity. Peace is the "tranquility of order" (St. Augustine), the work of justice and the effect of charity.
Earthly peace comes from Christ, the "Prince of Peace" (Isa 9:5). By his death, Jesus reconciled man to God and made his Church the sacrament of unity. "Blessed are the peacemakers" (Mt.5:9).
Special Witness to Gospel (2306)
Those who renounce violence bear witness to the Gospel, provided they do no harm to the rights and obligations of others. They also bear witness to the grave risks of recourse to violence (with its destruction and death).
Avoiding War (2307-2308)
The fifth commandment forbids the intentional destruction of human life. Because of war's destructive power, the Church prays that God would free the human race from this ancient bondage.
All citizens and governments must work to avoid war. However, "as long as the danger of war persists and no competent international authority exists, governments have the right to lawful self-defense, once all peace efforts have failed" (Second Vatican Council).
Four Conditions for a Just War (2309-2310)
The decision to make a legitimate defense by military force is so serious that the following conditions must be rigorously applied:
- The damage inflicted by the aggressor on the nation (or community of nations) must be lasting, grave, and certain.
- All other means (to end the aggression) must be shown to be impractical or ineffective.
- There must be serious prospects of success.
- Using arms must not cause graver evils or disorders. Today, the power of modern means of mass destruction demands serious evaluation of this condition.
The above four elements constitute what is called the traditional "just war" doctrine. The prudential judgment in evaluating these conditions lies with those having responsibility for the common good.
Under these four conditions, public authorities have the right and duty to impose on their citizens the obligations necessary for national defense. Armed Forces personnel are the servants of national defense and contribute to the common good.
Conscientious Objectors (2311)
Public Authorities must make equitable provision for those who refuse to bear arms because of reasons of conscience. These should serve the community in some other way.
Moral Law in Waging War (2312-2313)
The Church and human reason teach that during armed conflicts the moral law has permanent validity. Therefore, every act between the warring parties is not necessarily licit.
There must be respect for the non-combatants, the wounded and prisoners of war. Actions against the law of nations and against moral principles are crimes. Blind obedience does not excuse those who follow orders.
The extermination of a nation or an ethnic minority is a mortal sin. Soldiers are morally bound to resist such orders.
Modern Means of Mass Destruction (2314)
Indiscriminate destruction of whole cities or vast areas is a crime against both God and man, and deserves unequivocal condemnation (Second Vatican Council). Unfortunately modern weapons (atomic, biological, and chemical) present the opportunity to cause indiscriminate destruction.
Deterrence and the Arms Race (2315)
The accumulation of arms seems to be a paradoxical way to assure peace. This method of deterrence gives rise to strong moral reservations. The "arms race" aggravates the causes of war by spending enormous sums that could be used for the development of peoples. "Over-armament" increases the danger of escalation.
Arms Sales (2316)
Public authorities must regulate the production and sale of arms. Private or collective interests cannot make licit those undertakings which promote violence among nations and compromise the international political order.
Overcoming the Causes of War (2317)
Injustice, social inequities, and envy constantly threaten peace and cause wars. Overcoming these disorders builds up the peace. "Insofar as men are sinners, the threat of war hangs over them. If sin can be vanquished, violence itself will be vanquished. "Nations shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more" (Second Vatican Council).
Five riveting true stories by people who have experienced supernatural Warnings. order »
Join the movement! Pray 12 minutes a day to help God save America. order »
Find friends in the world's largest directory of Catholic young adult groups. Learn More »
Our supporters have distributed tens of millions of life-changing Catholic gifts since 1991, making us America's largest producer of high-quality, super-affordable tools for evangelization. Join our work today!
See All Our Catholic Materials
Meet Bud Macfarlane, Our Founder
