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To: Dionysiusdecordealcis

The two doctrines that particularly concern me are both in the Catechism:

the wrongness of the death penalty,
and the limits on war (which John Paul II said the US failed to meet in Iraq).

Presumably, the Catechim's opposition to the death penalty and the Church's opposition to the war in Iraq as violative of the principles of just war, are neither of them infallible teachings?

The case for both doctrines seems pretty clear, and very ancient.

So, am I bound, as a Catholic, to oppose the death penalty and the war in Iraq? I believe that I am.

I do not oppose the war in Iraq. I think that the Pope was wrong, and that the just war doctrine, as stated in the catechism, is unworkable in the modern age. Times have changed, and what was good doctrine in an age of slow warfare actually is outright bad doctrine today, because it will lead to paralysis and, ultimately, more death if it's followed.

So, am I a disobedient Catholic because I oppose the Pope and the Vatican on the war in Iraq, and think that the Just War Doctrine itself, as specified, is unworkable, obsolete, and therefore simply WRONG in the modern age?

Is my disobedience sin?
Do I need to confess it and repent it?

I think that I am, in fact, an unrepentant sinner on this point.
I think that the doctrine is clear, ancient, and in the catechism.
I think that the Catholic Church has taken a clear position.
I think that position is bad, morally wrong, and if followed would lead to the horrible deaths of a lot more innocent people than the sharp, prophylactic war and democracy building that America is undertaken.

Nevertheless, I think that my view on this places me quite out of sync with the authorities of the Church.
I think that's clearly sin.
But I am not going to change my mind on it, because the Church is wrong and the US leadership was right on this.

So, do I CONFESS the sin, unrepentantly?
And if I die unrepentant, do I go to Hell for the sin of disobedience?

I take communion every week. Is this compounding my sin of disobedience? Is everyone Catholic in the pews who supports the war (or the death penalty) and thereby rejects the teaching on both by the Magesterium of the Church in a state of sin, to whom communion is denied until repentance?

Or doesn't this particular disobedience matter to God?

It's not an idle question.


483 posted on 11/30/2005 11:41:09 AM PST by Vicomte13 (Et alors?)
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To: Vicomte13

I think this article may help clear up some confusion about the "Just War" and "Capital Punishment" questions, and wether or not they're binding.

http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2005/0503fea2.asp


488 posted on 11/30/2005 11:48:29 AM PST by FourtySeven (47)
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