Bishop Barron Visits Annapolis - Catholicism and Just War Theory 

“The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.” ― G.K. Chesterton

Bishop’s homilies at Annapolis in these videos are affirming and so elucidating for Christianity, veterans, and service members.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing"--Edmund Burke

Thonght provoking for a 31 year veteran of the Marine Corps. I taught st the Academy many years ago. The chapel is magnificent. One clarification. The combat photo is not a soldier but a Marine dashing across No Mans Land during the battle of Okinawa. The horrific casualties in that battle, both American, Japanese military and civilians convinced Truman to use the bomb. His calculus was lives killed versus lives saved, including Japanese

..the enormity of the chapel leaves a lasting impression. .The hymn 'Eternal Father Strong to Save" ( memorised at NAS Oceana✈completes the sentiment. I hope the midshipman(& women) shared this with you Bishop Barron. ⛵

As a Veteran currently in RCIA this helped me some with the things I've done. I wish there were more videos on this subject as I truly feel some of the things I have done are unforgivable, even though the Church and my local Parish Priest (Also a Veteran) say otherwise. In all honestly my Journey through RCIA is not for me but rather for my son so that he might not make the same mistakes I have

Have had difficulty wrapping my mind around the totality of this subject for many years. Much appreciation for the clarity and deeper understanding presented here. TY

so many of us come from military families who had viet nam war vets who were disrespected. , so being able to understand the commitment these soldiers have exhibited is deeply appreciated.

Thank you for another fantastic video God bless you 🙏 from Rob from Wales uk 🇬🇧

Beautiful message. Thank you Bishop Barron

As always such a profound message, that loving bridges the divide of views between peace and violence.

Opposing wickedness is similar to dealing with the devil's doing; to counter evil, it is necessary to act appropriately.

Thank you Bishop, this is enlightening to hear.

Thank you Bishop Barron♥️🙏 You explained this topic very well!

Love you Bishop Barron alleluia amen. My Great Grandmas Gingerich nee MURRAY cousin was CHRISTIAN MOUNTIN MAN & WWI Hero Sgt Alvin York that almost was a conscientious objector until his Minister intervened amen and AMEN.

Love this reflection 🙏

Thankyou Bishap.This is enlightening to hear.

Please visit Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia! It has seen more battles than ANY place in North America. I am the Bellringer of St Louis church (the crusader king) -this parish enjoys the history of being the parish that had the FIRST Catholic Baptism in Canada in 1610.

Great insight! Thank you so much Bishop Robert!!!

If someone intentionally hurts you and is an enemy we’re supposed to still see them as human. But they’re still enemies and have to be dealt with, is that right? So “Love your enemy” means see them as humans but still enemies?

Looking forward to some videos of bishop practicing aikido ☺️

In a way I'm reminded of something that my martial arts teacher made very clear to all of us: only fight as a last resort. That being said I'm not naive to the fact that there will be times when one is force into a situation where they will have no choice but to fight back. (if that makes any sense) About the firebombing of Dresden: from what I learned that city was home to many people who were fleeing other cities in Germany that were being attacked and after it was bombed there were many higher ups in both the American and British air forces at the time that were calling it into question and saying that shouldn't have been done.

What a leader for us!!!

thanks for the wonderful message.

Bishop I love listening to you I remember the stories u said one about jelly beans and the other one about ladybugs God Watch and protect Your Catholic Religion and all Bishops, Pope,Priest, Cardinals, Nuns and us that love and try to live The True Catholic religion

I am kind of surprised, Bishop Barron, that you did not visit Saint John’s College and do a short video on the tradition there and take a look at McDowell hall. The student study the fathers of the church among other Great Books. That’s where I read the Summa.

Jbu Bishop Barron.🙏

Where i run into issues with JWT is not the birds eye view analysis for politicians and kings, but for the common soldier. If I train and live and fight virtuously for my country out of love, but I don't believe in the legitimacy or competency of the current authority authority, and/or I look at all the conflicts we are likely ti find ourselves in in the near future, and I find no way of calling such conflicts "just" am I not culpable for my participation? At what point does remote participation in excess because substantially equivalent to formal participation in evil?

Tremendous!

Amazing.

What are examples of just wars post WW2?

Bishop, you have laid out the just war criteria. Now apply it to US foreign policy. How many US wars since WW2 did actually meet this stringent "just war" criteria? Was there an attainable goal of success in Vietnam? Have we attained our goals of success in Iraq and Afghanistan? There are people fighting in those wars now that were not even born when they began. 100s of thousands of innocents have died in these modern wars. Vietnam began on a false flag attack (Gulf of Tonkin incident). And we were told Iraq had WMDs as a justification. Still waiting to see those. None of this is to attack the soldiers who go over and fight the wars for the rich men and politicians. "We can no longer think of war as a solution, because its risks will probably always be greater than its supposed benefits. In view of this, it is very difficult nowadays to invoke the rational criteria elaborated in earlier centuries to speak of the possibility of a “just war”. Never again war!...Every war leaves our world worse than it was before. War is a failure of politics and of humanity, a shameful capitulation, a stinging defeat before the forces of evil. Let us not remain mired in theoretical discussions, but touch the wounded flesh of the victims. Let us look once more at all those civilians whose killing was considered “collateral damage”. Let us ask the victims themselves. Let us think of the refugees and displaced, those who suffered the effects of atomic radiation or chemical attacks, the mothers who lost their children, and the boys and girls maimed or deprived of their childhood. Let us hear the true stories of these victims of violence, look at reality through their eyes, and listen with an open heart to the stories they tell. In this way, we will be able to grasp the abyss of evil at the heart of war. Nor will it trouble us to be deemed naive for choosing peace." (Fratelli Tutti 258, 261)

Save lives.

Im here for school

What about if our faith was persecuted heavily. For example, would it have been justified for Christians to resist USSR control by lethal force because they’re threatening our Christian values and way of have life?

Production value is nuts

What would happen if tomorrow the Pope showed up tomorrow on the front lines between Russia and Ukraine tomorrow and demanded peace?

While in full agreement the the use of nuclear weapons against Hiroshima and Nagasaki was evil, the prosecution of the land war against the Japanese homeland did not have an alternative that was not evil. Estimates of casualties based on the battle of Okinawa were in the millions. The just war theory rings hollow in the practical with an intractable, fanatical enemy. As it was, the Japanese high council would have fought on post Nagasaki if not for Emperor Hirohito's order to capitulate. Watch Ken Burn's final chapter of "The War" and walk in their shoes. Read Eugene Sledge's memoir With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa. I think Bishop Barron would empathize with Sledge: "War is brutish, inglorious, and a terrible waste. Combat leaves an indelible mark on those who are forced to endure it. The only redeeming factors were my comrades’ incredible bravery and their devotion to each other. Marine Corps training taught us to kill efficiently and to try to survive. But it also taught us loyalty to each other-and love. That esprit de corps sustained us.

Would America coming to the defense of Taiwan from China be considered just?

X

Ah, the good, slick Bishop. Note how he uses only WWII to back "just war." Note also how he neglects to say how justified was Vietnam, Iraq, Panama, Grenada etc. Does he use any of them as an example of an unjust war? Not when talking with the young men in the brilliant uniforms, designed to lure them into willing combatants.The military loves Catholics like Bishop Barron, who will bless them as they are preparing to kill and maim whoever the government tells them is the enemy. Just imagine Dan and Phil Kerrigan listening to this talk, or Dorothy Day...

If a just war requires a competent authority, then any rebellion against a lawful governor is unjust am I correct? Where does that leave the American Revolution in hindsight, and what is the Catholic response to the problem of tyranny?

" Wars and Rumors of War"( Matthew 24:6; Mark 13:7; Luke 21:9) , Psalm 144:1; 2 Timothy 2:3-4; CCC 2310. As Both a Latin ( Roman Rite) Catholic Christian and a Prior Service Enlisted USMC and US Army Veteran, this aforementioned is what I Myself, John Rodriguez, go by. Full Stop. Point Blank and. 🇺🇲🇺🇸❤️🇻🇦🇻🇦✝️☦️🪖🎖️💣💥🔥🛡️🗡️⚔️🙏⛪‼️

But not a single quotation from Christ to justify your defence of war! Oh, Bishop, are we followers of Christ or theologians writing four hundred years after his resurrection? Just wars sound good in practice - noble, defensible, honourable - but where are these wars? Are not all wars the result of previous injustice? If we look back at wars executed under the pretence of defending Vatican authority, where is an example of this just war? Would Jesus stand at the head of an army? Surely this conception of 'just war' is merely a way for the secular authorities to build empires by using theologians and moralists to justify actions explicitly condemned by Christ! "There is no sure foundation set on blood, No certain life is achieved by others' death."

10:44 - Jesus was a pacifist. But I don't want everyone to be like Jesus. In other words... Christians need not aspire to be like Christ.

Repent sinner.