A state of war exists in the world today.  The struggle against organized terrorism has certainly risen to the level of war.  The efforts of our country to engage Iraq in armed conflict can be seen as part of the same war against terrorism.  Other nations, too, may be dragged into this conflict.  All of this makes it appropriate for Catholics to reflect on our teaching about war, and to take a position. 
     The teaching of the Catholic Church on war has been codified over the years in what has come to be known as the "Just War Theory".  Intrinsic to this teaching is the notion that nations, like individuals, have the right (and indeed the duty) to defend themselves against aggression.  That right has never been questioned.  At the same time, the use of force in any circumstance must meet certain, strict criteria before it can be considered acceptable under the Just War Theory.  Among these criteria are i)  righteousness of the cause, ii) the means used, iii) proportionality of the response and iv) consideration of all alternatives to war. 
     Do the actions of our nation meet these criteria in its war on terrorism?  Would a preemptive, unilateral attack on Iraq to prevent that country's government from (potentially) aiding terrorists with "weapons of mass destruction" meet the criteria?  Difficult questions, to be sure.  Questions that require much thought and even more prayer on the part of every Catholic.  As American Catholics, we especially need a thoughtful, prayerful response since in a democracy we can never say that our government's actions are not our responsibility. 
     While each Catholic will have to make his own determination as to what is right in such difficult circumstances, we must give great weight to what the Catholic bishops in America say in this regard.  And what have they said?  The bishops' council acknowledged after the attacks of September 11th against the United States that our government was justified in using military force to root out terrorism in Afghanistan.  More recently, however, the bishops have expressed grave concern over a possible unilateral attack by the United States against Iraq.  While a unilateral attack might ultimately be justified, the bishops could not justify it presently since one of the major criteria of the Just War Theory - i.e., consideration of all other alternatives to war - had not been met.  As individual Catholics, we also must consider all of the criteria of the Just War Theory in deciding on the rightness of a course of action that involves war. 
 

This Application of Catholic Social Teaching is the first of a series of reflections from individual members of our parish Peace & Justice Committee.  For the actual letter from the Cathoic Bishops see: www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/