Bishop Timothy Senior discusses the Church’s teaching on just war theory with young adults during Theology on Tap in York
Is there such a thing as a “just war?” This very topic was addressed by Bishop Timothy Senior on June 25 as he spoke to the Catholic Young Adults of York during their Theology on Tap gathering at AleCraft Brewery. This topic is one that has “been in the media for the last several months,” said the bishop to the nearly 30 young adults, most notably because Pope Leo XIV has spoken out against the conflict in Iraq.
“Pope Leo is a pastor…as pastors, we have to lead and to teach,” Bishop Senior said. “He’s not a politician.”
The bishop reviewed a number of Church documents that speak about just war, including the Catechism of the Catholic Church and Pope Leo’s recent encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas.
In short, the just war theory takes a fundamental stance that war should be avoided and it should only ever be the last resort, explained Bishop Senior. He continued that when looking at the criteria in the Catechism, the five conditions for entering war, all of which are to be met, are:
- The damage by the aggressor must be lasting, grave and certain;
- All other options to end the aggression and bring peace have been shown to be impractical or ineffective;
- Those who declare war must have the legitimate authority to do so and be responsible for the common good;
- There must be a serious prospect of success; and
- The use of arms must not unleash evil greater than that to be eliminated.
“There are very strict moral conditions” to consider, said Bishop Senior. He added that as a society, we are faced with a culture focused on power and not love.
“We need to keep focused on Jesus,” he added.
To learn more about the Catholic Young Adults of York, visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/YorkTheology.
(Photos by Chris Heisey, The Catholic Witness.)
By Rachel Bryson, The Catholic Witness
