Kakki,
As a lifetime Roman Catholic (as a side note, I think that I must be one
of the very few individuals alive who was not only "raised Catholic,"
but still actually *is* a Catholic! <g>), I must take issue with your
characterization of the Catholic Church as "pacifist." It is not now,
nor has it ever been, such a thing.
The Catholic Church has long professed a doctrine called the "just war
theory," which states that, under certain carefully delineated
circumstances, the use of force is acceptable. I do not have time,
unfortunately, to find a quick summary of this theory in print or on the
web. However, in recent days, a book by former bishop (now Cardinal?)
Daniel Pilarczyk (sp) has been recommended to me as a good introduction
for those seeking to learn more about the Church's stance on use of
force. I will also post an excerpt from an article that appeared this
week in my local Catholic newspaper which is instructive. Finally, if
memory serves, the JMDL's own Deb Messling is aware of some excellent
links dealing with Catholic teachings on social and other issues.
I think the long view of history, not only recent history, is necessary
for a full understanding of the Catholic position here. Obviously, the
Church fought and, at times, even spearheaded war efforts in the middle
ages: witness the Crusades. However, if you wish to examine more
recent events instead, many, many Catholics fought and died for the U.S.
and other countries in World War II. Nobody ever suggested that they
were anything other than good citizens AND good Catholics for doing so.
In the Viet Nam era, many American males of draft age sought
conscientious objector (CO) status. However, in my understanding, only
a very limited number of CO designations on religious grounds were
granted, and these were most, if not all, to members of established
pacific churches, like the Mennonites. I don't know that ANYONE was
declared a CO without having to prove a whole lot more simply on the
grounds of being, or having been raised, a Catholic.
In addition, many Catholic colleges, including my own alma mater,
Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI, have effective and well-regarded
ROTC programs. To my knowledge, it has *never* been recommended by the
Church hierarchy, speaking with the authority of the Church, that these
programs be disbanded as "anti-Catholic." In fact, I'm sure many of the
officers who graduate from them and then go on to build long,
distinguished careers in the military would tell you that, by their
service, they are living their faith, not contradicting it. So would
the aviators whose gold wings adorn the walls of the Catholic chapel on
the naval base at Pensacola, Florida, where I have spent many
Christmases.
You mention, I believe, Dorothy Day, and perhaps, Thomas Merton. And
theirs are, indeed, well-known Catholic voices for non-violence.
However, it is important to note that THEIRS WERE ALSO MINORITY VOICES
WITHIN THE CHURCH at the time they spoke out World War II and Viet Nam.
Their views were NOT those of the Church hierarchy, and indeed, in the
case of Day, were considered subversive, Communist, and dangerous by
many. Time and perspective has eased this harsh judgment, to the point
that the late John Cardinal O'Connor recommended that Day be considered
for sainthood, but it was not always thus.
Finally, you mention the Catholic Church's inaction during World War II.
This is a dark, dark blot on the history of the Church, and one that
Catholics are still attempting to remedy to this day. However, the
controversy does not, as I understand it, stem from the fact that the
Catholic Church's, and specifically, Pope Pius XII's silence against the
Nazi regime was due to its pacifism. It stems from suspicions and
outright accusations that it was due to its anti-Semitism. This issue
still drives a wedge, albeit a completely understandable one, between us
Catholics and our Jewish brothers and sisters.
You are absolutely right if you perceive that the Pope and the hierarchy
have moved more and more toward the side of non-violence and non-violent
response, in most cases, since, say, the Second Vatican Council in 1963.
Another great impetus, in addition to prophetic voices such as Day,
Merton, Gandhi, and King, was the development of the "seamless garment"
or "consistent life ethic" by the late Joseph Cardinal Bernardin of
Chicago, and others. According to this theory, the Church stands on the
side of human life at ALL times from conception until natural death. I
know; it's controversial. But the Church, in the last 20 years, has
sought to define "pro-life" as not only being synonymous with
"anti-abortion," but also "anti-indiscriminate nuclear proliferation"
(See the Bishop's Pastoral Letter of 1983), anti-punitive welfare reform
(the Pastoral Letter on Economic Justice may speak to this), and
anti-death penalty (e.g., the pronouncements of the Pope in the last
three years or so, and the work of Sr. Helen Prejean, memorialized in
the film "Dead Man Walking"). It is impossible to characterize the
Church stance on this motley collection of issues as "liberal" or
"conservative," although many have tried, and many Catholics do not
agree with the entire package. It *is* the official position of the
Church, though, and it is consistent.
For all that, however, the Catholic teaching on war remains the same.
Use of force CAN be justified, especially in the case of self-defense.
But, among other things, it must be used with great forethought, it
should be used sparingly, and it should, at all times, seek to minimize,
if not alleviate, the possibility of civilian casualties, or "collateral
damage." It is true, then, that Church teaching places grave
restrictions on the use of force. However, in these circumstances, and
in these times, can anyone believe that forethought and "sparing use of
violence" are bad things to be avoided?
I'll post the article I mentioned momentarily.
I hope you find this helpful. None of these are easy issues. And, for
the record, although (or because) I am very much still a student of such
topics myself, I am, practically as we speak, attempting to organize a
discussion group or seminar in my own parish and diocese on the U.S.
response to recent events in light of Catholic teachings. I'm looking
for a few good experts. ;-)
Mary P., in Madison
