10. How does the Church view military service?

“Those who devote themselves to the military service of their country should regard themselves as the agents of security and freedom of peoples. As long as they fulfill this role properly. they are making a genuine contribution to the establishment of peace.” Vatican II, Church in the Modern World (1965) 79.
“The role of Christian citizens in the armed forces is a service to the common good and an exercise of the virtue of patriotism, so long as they fulfill this role within defined moral norms.” U.S. Bishops, The Challenge of Peace (1983) 232.

Reflections on military service.
a) How do the military contribute to peace?
b) What is the significance of the phrase “as long as they fulfill this role properly”?
c) What do you understand by the virtue of patriotism?

11. How does the Church view conscientious objection?

“In the light of the Gospel and from an analysis of the Church’s teaching on conscience, it is clear that a Catholic can be a conscientious objector to war in general or to a particular war ‘because of religious training and belief.’ As we hold individuals in high esteem who conscientiously serve in the armed forces, so also we should regard conscientious objection and selective conscientious objection as positive indicators within the Church of a sound moral awareness and respect for human life.” U.S. Bishops, Declaration on Conscientious Objection and Selective Conscientious Objection (1971).
“First, we support the right of conscientious objection as a valid moral position, derived from the Gospel and Catholic teaching. Secondly, we support the right of selective conscientious objection as a moral conclusion which can be validly derived from the classical moral teaching of just war theory.” U.S. Bishops, Statement on Registration and Conscription for Military Service (1980) 7-8.

Reflections on conscientious objection.
a) What is conscientious objection? What is selective conscientious objection?
b) Why do you think the Church has come out in support of both?
c) How does the conscientious objector demonstrate sound moral awareness?
d) How does the conscientious objector demonstrate respect for human life?
e) How is conscientious objection derived from the Gospel?
f) How is conscientious objection derived from the just war theory?