The Roman Catholic Church & Violence

Before Jesus said the words quoted above, the apostle Peter tried to defend Jesus against the Roman soldiers trying to arrest him, by swinging a sword that severed one of the soldier's ears. Based on Jesus' response, Catholic leadership has drawn the conclusion that violence is not defeated by more violence, but is conquered by love. Therefore, notes the Catechism, in times of conflict between persons, ethnicities, religions, nations, or economic and political powers, only love, persuasion and reconciliation are the true keys to reconciliation -- not confrontation or violence.

Catholics are called on to be makers of peace, not merely preventers of war. They do this, in part, by safeguarding the goods of persons, communicating freely, respecting the dignity of others, promoting a spirit of brotherhood, and incorporating justice and charity into their daily lives. However, the Church does make concessions for a nation going to war, as long as it is a "just war" and an act of self-defense. To qualify as a "just war," the defending nation must first have tried all other means of resolution and must have experienced significant and lasting damage from the aggressor.

In the 21st century, the Roman Catholic Church has made specific comments about sexual violence, in the light of widespread cases of Catholic priests sexually abusing children. Pope Benedict XVI has called such sexual violence a grave sin that offends God and human dignity. Beyond that, the Church has committed itself to immediately suspending offending priests and prosecuting them to the extent of civil and canon laws. And to help prevent future sexual violence, Catholic leadership says it will strive to promote a culture of respect for the human rights and human dignity of every child.

Because of the Catholic Church's violent involvement in the Spanish Inquisition and Crusades against Muslims in the Middle Ages, Pope John Paul II gave an apology in March 2000 on behalf of the Church. Two years earlier Pope John Paul also apologized for the Church's inaction to prevent Nazi violence against Jews and others during the Holocaust. In fact, according to the book "La Popessa," the Vatican invested Church funds in countries fighting on both sides of World War II, leading many to question how "the Church of the Prince of Peace could defend its integrity while underwriting the materials of warfare."