In war, is the killing of one’s neighbor a mortal sin?

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Question

Good morning Father Angelo,

I would like to ask you a few questions about the fifth commandment “You shall not kill”.

Let me explain: an acquaintance of mine told me that his grandfather fought as a partisan to free Italy from German domination. During the war he killed several soldiers but never with contempt and hatred.

Now I wonder: in these cases, is killing one’s neighbor considered a mortal sin leading to Hell?

Until a few decades ago, one could choose whether to be conscientious objectors. Even if this is the more Christian choice, what would happen to a nation if no one defended it? Who decides to hold a weapon against his brother is wrong?

Perhaps in the event of wars one should just rely on God and practice acts such as Gandhi’s “power of non-violence”?

Dear friend,

1. Not even in war it is allowed to kill one’s neighbor, who shall always be loved as oneself.

2. In war, as indeed also outside war, it is lawful to defend oneself.

The defense, however, does not consist in the direct killing of the opponent, but in trying to intimidate him, to discourage him, to make him desist from his wicked intentions.

3. On legitimate defense, the ancient laws of the Church (the Decretals of Gregory IX) accepted a principle of Roman jurisprudence that sounded like this: “Vim vi repellere licet cum moderamine inculpatae curae” (“It is legitimate to reject violence with violence, with the moderation of a non culpable defense).

Therefore, the defense must be “moderate” in the Latin sense of the word, that is, “reasonable”.

So that killing an opponent who stays put just because he is an opponent is not reasonable, but inhumane.

4. However, in violent and unjust aggression, things change:

For this reason, John Paul II in Evangelium vitae said: “Unfortunately it happens that the need to render the aggressor incapable of causing harm sometimes involves taking his life. 

In this case, the fatal outcome is attributable to the aggressor whose action brought it about, even though he may not be morally responsible because of a lack of the use of reason” (EV 55).

5. Apart from this case, the direct killing of an opponent who at that moment has no will to harm is undoubtedly a grave sin.

6. And here is the teaching of the Church in this regard:

– “The fifth commandment forbids the intentional destruction of human life. Because of the evils and injustices that accompany all war, the Church insistently urges everyone to prayer and to action so that the divine Goodness may free us from the ancient bondage of war” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2307).

– “All citizens and all governments are obliged to work for the avoidance of war.

However, «as long as the danger of war persists and there is no international authority with the necessary competence and power, governments cannot be denied the right of lawful self-defense, once all peace efforts have failed»” (CCC 2308).

– “Public authorities, in this case, have the right and duty to impose on citizens the obligations necessary for national defense.

Those who are sworn to serve their country in the armed forces are servants of the security and freedom of nations. If they carry out their duty honorably, they truly contribute to the common good of the nation and the maintenance of peace” (CCC 2310).

– “Public authorities should make equitable provision for those who for reasons of conscience refuse to bear arms; these are nonetheless obliged to serve the human community in some other way” (CCC 2311).

– “The Church and human reason both assert the permanent validity of the moral law during armed conflict. «The mere fact that war has regrettably broken out does not mean that everything becomes licit between the warring parties»” (CCC 2312).

– “Non-combatants, wounded soldiers, and prisoners must be respected and treated humanely.

Actions deliberately contrary to the law of nations and to its universal principles are crimes, as are the orders that command such actions. Blind obedience does not suffice to excuse those who carry them out. Thus the extermination of a people, nation, or ethnic minority must be condemned as a mortal sin. One is morally bound to resist orders that command genocide” (CCC 2313).

With the hope that you will never be faced with such situations, I remind you to the Lord and I bless you.

Father Angelo