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."
2308. "All citizens and all governments are obliged to work for the avoidance of war. However, "as long as the danger of war persists and there is no international authority with the necessary competence and power, governments cannot be denied the right of lawful self-defense, once all peace efforts have failed."
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." The Catechism of the Catholic Church
National Catholic Office of Social Development and World Peace (USCCB) International Resources
40 Days of Prayer, Fasting and Action for Peace: Prayers, Ideas and Actions for Pastoral Staffs and Parish Leaders. Developed by the Social Action Office, Diocese of Cleveland.
CLICK HERE FOR MATERIALS
CLICK HERE FOR THE RESOURCE WEBSITE
IRAQ
November 13, 2007 USCCB Statement on Iraq
USCCB Q & A on the War in Iraq, 11/13/07
January 12, 2007 USCCB Statement: Evaluating Plans for a Responsible Transition in Iraq.
November 13, 2006 USCCB Statement: Call for Dialogue and Action on Responsible Transition in Iraq.
Bulletin Insert regarding Church Statements on the Iraq War: The Cost of War...A Just War? Prepared by Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good.
DARFUR
The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, pleads that the international community “bring relief and security … to the peoples of Darfur, who are living in a dramatic humanitarian situation that is no longer sustainable.
With as many as 400,000 dead, the Catholic Conference of Catholic Bishops' calls upon the United States to redouble its efforts to end the intolerable moral and humanitarian crisis in Darfur through sustained, high-level engagement that will ensure the compliance of the Sudanese government with its obligations under international law.
USCCB Statements regarding Darfur
Ohio Legislation
SB 161 (Jacobson): Divesting Ohio investments in companies that help fund the genocide in Sudan and the Darfur region.
Catholic Campaign for Peace in the Holy Lands
Pope Benedict XVI World Day of Peace 2007 Message: The Human Person the Heart of Peace
Need More Information
Contact Jim Tobin , 614-224-7147
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