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The Catholic Church has never mandated pacifism. There are circumstances in which the evil of war-making violence can and should be used to defeat a greater evil. When and how that violence can be deployed comes under the rubric of a "just war" theory.
Is the current operation against Iran a "just war" under that traditional mode of analysis?
Jus ad Bellum (The rationale)
Just cause – usually self-defense, defense of others, or stopping grave injustice.
* To end a regime that seeks to be a nuclear-armed rogue state that commits mass murder against its own people.
Legitimate authority – declared by a proper political authority.
* Conducted by the governments of the USA & Israel, not some private army. The American Congress is free to step in if it wants to get involved. But POTUS is still currently within the War Powers Resolution 60-day period.
Right intention – aim should be justice or peace, not revenge or conquest.
* No territorial grab, no parallel vengeance to the atrocities of Oct 7, no seizing of Iranian diplomats, no intention to conquer Iranian territory or population.
Last resort – peaceful options tried first.
* Huge concessions were offered and material payments made to end nuclear development, and Iran continues to support terrorist activity outside its borders.
Probability of success – not a pointless sacrifice.
* The possibility of regime change looks promising. There is no plan for a Bush-like deployment of nation-building troops as in Iraq and Afghanistan. Creating an opportunity for a popular revolution rather than the installation of an American-approved government is a worthy and doable objective.
Proportionality – the expected good must outweigh expected harm.
* Unlike previous modern wars, the destruction has been highly targeted and focused -- not indiscriminate destruction of civilian areas. Killing IRGC and government leaders instead of line troops and civilians and not flattening cities is a remarkably civilized mode of war compared to WWII.
Jus in Bello (The right way to conduct war)
Discrimination / Noncombatant immunity – civilians should not be intentionally targeted.
*That consideration is clearly in place.
Proportionality – force used should not be excessive.
* Again, targeted, focused and proportionate use of force has been the norm.
Military necessity – actions must serve a legitimate military purpose.
* There is no gratuitous slaughter nor indiscriminate economic degradation. The ordnance has not been wasted on overkill.
Humane treatment – prisoners and wounded persons must be treated humanely.
* I don't know that we have any prisoners in this war, but the record of treating even jihadi terrorists with respect is extensive.
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I don't have a problem with the Pope calling for the end of violence. I do have a problem when the timing and selectivity of calls for peace are such that they appear to have been politically orchestrated.
That Iran's current enemies still show so much restraint after the horror shows Iran created in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Israel and elsewhere is a remarkable testament to their respective moral cultures.
Constructive moral leadership in the current mortal struggle with a deeply perverted and energized Islam would be welcomed.
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Discussion (32)
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I do not want to insult any Catholics. Therefore, I will say nothing about the Pope
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I have a problem when the Pope says all war is wrong.
Another justification is Iran blackmailing the health and welfare of 4 billion people that depend on fuel and fertilizer shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. No statements from the Vatican on this. Hmmm.
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This is an interesting and enlightening post on the politics and x posts of Cardinal Robert Prevost, pre elevation to popehood.
It is opined that he is slightly left of the gals on The View.
I am a Catholic, who understands that this pontiff, like is predecessor, are political lefty, socialist hacks.
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You laid out the criteria extremely well, OB. It clearly is a just war.
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Is regime change a ‘right intention’.
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