Catholic Church stands against terrorism & hostage taking

Catechism of the Catholic Church ^ | 1994 | Pope John Paul

[bboop]

"Respect for bodily integrity: Kidnapping and hostage taking bring on a reign of terror; by means of threats they subject their victims to intolerable pressures. They are morally wrong. Terrorism threatens, wounds, and kills indiscriminately, is gravely against justice and charity. Torture which uses physical or moral violence ... to satisfy hatred is contrary to respect for the person and for human dignity.... Amputations, mutilations performed on innocent persons are against the moral law(612, paperback)."

[bboop]

Look what I found in the Catechism. I love the moral clarity of the CC. Would be nice to hear this preached.

[keithtoo]

"Respect for bodily integrity'

I'd like to see this pushed to its logical conclusion. The right to be armed is a fundamental human right. So is the right to forego arming yourself.

[siunevada]

The right to be armed is a fundamental human right.

How's this for a start?

2264 Love toward oneself remains a fundamental principle of morality. Therefore it is legitimate to insist on respect for one's own right to life. Someone who defends his life is not guilty of murder even if he is forced to deal his aggressor a lethal blow:

If a man in self-defense uses more than necessary violence, it will be unlawful: whereas if he repels force with moderation, his defense will be lawful. . . . Nor is it necessary for salvation that a man omit the act of moderate self-defense to avoid killing the other man, since one is bound to take more care of one's own life than of another's.

[Campion]

The right to be armed is a fundamental human right. So is the right to forego arming yourself.

Traditional Catholic teaching would agree with the first, but would differ with the second if innocent people needed to be protected.

[Redbob]

Hmm, sounds like a copy of this should be forwarded to the Vatican.

Pope could spend his time studying this in lieu of lecturing our President.

[keithtoo]

Great stuff. It needs to be publicized.

[keithtoo]

True. For instance a pacifist (ie: parasitical) father, has no right not to defend his family.

[NYer]

Great stuff. It needs to be publicized.

It is!

OR ..... you can read it on line!

CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

PROLOGUE

"FATHER,... this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."[1]

"God our Saviour desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."[2]

"There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved"[3] - than the name of JESUS.

Catechism Catholic Church

Catholic Ping - let me know if you want on/off this list

[patent]

>>>Hmm, sounds like a copy of this should be forwarded to the Vatican.

The Vatican wrote it, approved it, and published it. Forward a copy if you like, but it would be somewhat redundant.

[bboop]

Yes, the Vatican published it, but perhaps they should READ it then. And that part about self-defense is priceless. I wish they were teaching the Catechism at our RCIA. In fact I wish they knew it.

[siunevada]

I wish they were teaching the Catechism at our RCIA.

Become part of the RCIA team. Be a sponsor for a catechumen. Be an instructor. Bring your Catechism and quote it profusely! Part of our responsibility as laity is to safeguard the faith we have received.

[patent]

>>>Yes, the Vatican published it, but perhaps they should READ it then.

What statements from the Vatican make you think they haven't? Just war and personal self defense aren't always overlapping. I've not seen anything recently on self personal defense from the Vatican, only stuff on the war.

patent

[TNMountainMan]

"I wish they were teaching the Catechism at our RCIA. In fact I wish they knew it."

We give each RCIA participant a copy and refer to it as needed. I like the "green cover" version with the scripture index.

[An.American.Expatriate]

I was recently in a debate with a freeper regarding the stance of the catholic church regarding Iraq / terrorism / etc... Unfortunately I can not recall the Freeper's name.

That Freeper tried to convince me I was wrong, but was unable to do so.

So, to that Freeper:

In light of this article, I wish to humbly accept that I was wrong.