Notre Dame University theologian and Catholic priest Fr. Baxter speaks about the war in Iraq, why Christians shouldn’t go into electoral politics, and social justice issues within our own institutions.

Gerry McCarthy: The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate have now authorized President Bush to use military force against Iraq. Some in the U.S. Senate opposed the resolution. They suggest a policy of containment is sufficient. Others worry about an “exit strategy.” How can Catholic social teaching help us sort through this debate? Is there grassroots opposition to the war?

Michael Baxter: Catholic social teaching can be brought to bear on the situation in the form of a just war theory, which sets out seven or so principles that have to be met in order for a country to justly go to war. Which of those criteria would be violated in this case? I suppose clearly last resort, in the sense that the United States seems to be hastily entering into this conflict rather than trying out all of their options. Also: proportionality. It’s quite likely that an invasion in Iraq would create much more damage and evil than the good it’s trying to rectify. Particularly given the fact that it’s a speculative good. In other words, stopping Saddam Hussein from using weapons which might not be developed now, but would be developed two or three years from now. That gets pretty abstract.

More:

http://www.thesocialedge.com/articles/gerrymccarthy/index1.htm