An Unjust War of Words

Critics of Pope Leo XIV have jumped on his Palm Sunday Homily in which he said, God “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war.” These Critics have pointed out a long tradition of praying for success or safety in battle. They argue that the Pope should have said he was talking about leaders who make decisions to wage war and make it clear he was not saying that God does not listen to an individual soldier’s prayers for safety or for the success of a war of self defense. Most critics are missing the fact that the actual full quote from Pope Leo’s Homily on 3/29 was:

“Brothers and sisters, this is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war. He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them, saying: “Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood” (Is 1:15).”

Notice the Pope leads with “whom no one can use to justify war.” He is clearly talking about Political leaders who make decisions to “wage war” and their invoking God to justify war, or as the Secretary of Defense prayed for “'overwhelming violence.” The Pope is not referring to the soldier, sailor, or pilot who is praying for their safety.

Others have pointed to the Pope’s post on 4/10 that “God does not bless any conflict” as contradicting Catholic Teaching on Just war. Just because a war might pass the test to be considered “Just,” that does not imply God Blesses it. Nowhere in the Catechism does it say God Blesses a war that is considered just. Passing the “just war” test simply means it is not an “unjust war.” God tolerates some things through his permissive will. Or like Moses and divorce, somethings are tolerated due to the hardness of our hearts.

Too many Catholics seem willing to trust a Politician over the Bishop of Rome and leader of The Church. Catholic teaching does not align with one political side or another. A Catholic approach is to say I agree and support this Politician when he is pro-life and pro-family etc, but I disagree with him when he tries to use religion to justify war and attacks the Pope. One can also see reasons for military action without feeling good about that military action. When a politicians and pundits attack the Pope for preaching a message of Peace, I know with whom I will stand.