Morality in war

Vance Tells Pope To Stick To Morality As Pope Condemns War

It seems JD Vance, who embraced Catholicism later in life, is suggesting Pope Leo XIV should focus his pronouncements on matters of morality, implying that world affairs, particularly concerning war, fall outside the Pope’s purview. This perspective, however, appears to be at odds with a long-standing tradition within the Catholic Church, where popes have consistently spoken out against war and violence, framing these issues as deeply moral concerns.

The idea that war isn’t a matter of morality is particularly jarring. History shows that successive popes, from John Paul II to Benedict XVI and Francis, have routinely condemned conflicts, viewing them as fundamentally contrary to Christian teachings and a “defeat for humanity.”… Continue reading

Archbishop: US Troops Must Disobey Unlawful Orders

US troops could disobey questionable orders, a concept that’s surfacing in discussions fueled by the recent words of a Catholic Archbishop. The core of the matter, as I understand it, is whether soldiers are bound to follow *all* orders, regardless of their nature, or if they have a moral and perhaps even a legal obligation to refuse those that are considered wrong. This question is particularly pertinent in a climate where trust in leadership might be wavering. It’s not a simple question of legality; the moral compass of the individual soldier is undeniably a factor.

It’s important to remember that the Archbishop isn’t just saying troops *could* disobey; the very oath of enlistment and the Uniform Code of Military Justice, or UCMJ, are critical here.… Continue reading