Governments, war, and the Church

By Paul Schratz

A remark on an on-line discussion board the other day came as something of a surprise.

The writer, a non-Christian, expressed amazement at learning that the Catechism of the Catholic Church had something to say about just war.

The Church does indeed have something to say about war, and never has it been more needed than in the past week. As events unfold in the Middle East, the Church’s voice emerges as a voice of reason and perspective.

With respect to recent developments, there’s currently a two-pronged focus for the Church’s teachings on war. Of course there is Lebanon, where the fighting between Israel and militant groups is resulting in enormous death, destruction, and casualties. There is also Afghanistan, where Canadian troops continue their operations to end the days of the Taliban and restabilize that country, while increasing numbers of Canadians reportedly oppose the effort.

In both cases, the political debate is being heightened with discussions over the morality of various government actions.

In the Israel/Lebanon conflict, Pope Benedict XVI endorsed a declaration from the Group of Eight nations criticizing militant organizations Hamas and Hezbollah for fuelling an escalation in fighting, and he urged Israel to exercise restraint in its response.

Hundreds of Lebanese have been killed or injured after Israeli air strikes in response to the killing of eight soldiers and kidnapping of two. Israel has reported 29 Israelis have died during the fighting, including 15 civilians. Half a million people have been displaced, and thousands of foreigners are scrambling to leave the country, frustrated by the lack of transportation available.

Asked what else the international community should do regarding the conflict, the Pope said, "I have nothing else to add other than the importance of prayer so that God may help us."

The Pope has called for an immediate cease-fire, to be followed by "reasonable and responsible negotiations" in the Middle East. He declared July 23 a day dedicated to prayers and penance for people of all religious faiths "to implore God for the precious gift of peace."

The Holy See is not siding with anyone in this conflict, much as many people might like it to. Although the response of a democratically elected government to acts of terrorism within its borders is not in the same moral realm as the terrorist acts that precipitate them, the toll that Israel’s response is exacting on a civilian population is alarming.

The large number of Lebanese civilian casualties bears witness both to the militants’ infiltration of civilian populations, and to the urgency that Israel be as selective as it can in its response. The Israeli government has the responsibility of making moral decisions at a high level of accountability.

The Middle East violence is having a spin-off effect in an area that’s not directly related but is lately becoming associated: Afghanistan. A recent poll is raising questions again about whether Canadian soldiers should be in Afghanistan. Almost half of Canadians surveyed said they want Ottawa to withdraw troops immediately. Similar cries were heard last month during the World Peace Forum in Vancouver.

Although the Catechism of the Catholic Church has much to say about just war, it makes it clear that the responsibility for determining when the use of military force is morally justified ultimately lies with the prudential judgement of government officials. They must determine whether the conditions set out in Church teaching have been met.

In the case of Canada’s participation in Afghanistan, where in addition to efforts to track down militants a great deal of social reconstruction is being carried out, a duly elected government has determined that the conditions are present for moral use of military force.

Polls may indicate that large numbers of Canadians now disagree with the mission, but it’s likely that events occurring in Lebanon are clouding the picture. As one pollster noted, "Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Middle East – they’re very far away and Canadians probably aren’t making a lot of distinction."

Catholic teaching has much to contribute in the present turmoil. It says nations have an obligation to defend human rights. They may use armed force where it’s deemed necessary. However, certain strict conditions must be met (See CCC #2309) and acts of mass destruction are condemned.

Considering everything happening in Afghanistan and Lebanon, Pope John Paul II’s words never seemed truer: "War is always a defeat for humanity."