(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis celebrated the Feast of All Souls Day on Thursday commemorating all those who have died in war, reminding humanity not to forget past lessons and warning that the only fruit yielded by conflict is death.
His words of warning and his powerful condemnation of warmongers came during his homily at the Sicily-Rome American War Cemetery some 50 kilometers south of Rome.
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The Catechism of the Catholic Church (2310), explains that, "Those who are sworn to serve their country in the armed forces (the people Francis refers to as "warmongers") 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."
The Lord God has commanded us, "You shall not kill." There are nine words in Hebrew for taking a life. The word used in Exodus 20: 13 for "Thou shalt not kill" is ratsach, a strong verb used to indicate an intentional and unjustified act of murder, such as the murder of innocent unborn. It does not refer to killing in war ( unless such killing is directed against civilian non-combatants or prisoners of war). It is therefore disgusting for Francis to suggest that all soldiers who kill in combat are engaged in "evil," and are "warmongers."
The French preacher Lacordaire once said that the vocation of a soldier is next in dignity to the priesthood, not only because it commissioned him to defend justice on the field of battle and order on the field of peace, but also because it called him to the spirit and intention of sacrifice.
It is the soldier's high calling to the defense of justice and freedom which makes him (or should) so loved. It was a soldier who first spoke the words recalled by the Church during every Mass at Holy Communion: "Lord, I am not worthy to have Thee come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be healed." (Mt 8:8).
The Breviary, which priests pray daily, praises Judas Machabeus, who refused to surrender to superior enemy forces and died saying: "Far be it from us to do such a thing as to flee from them. If our time has come, let us die bravely for our brethren, and leave no cause to question our honor." (1 Macc 9: 10).
One soldier who served his country selflessly for twenty years was Camille "Joe" Melanson, my father, a non-commissioned officer who served in two wars - the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. See here: http://www.leominsterhigh.com/lhs-military00.htm
Our family has a long tradition of military service. I served with military intelligence and was marked for death by the NPA in the Philippines. My uncle Arthur was lost over the Pacific during World War II. His body was never recovered.
Warmongers? Those who have served this country (and other countries) in the defense of freedom deserve better than to be denigrated in such a fashion.
Francis owes us an apology. He has benefited from our sacrifices. And this is what he thinks of us?
8 comments:
Without the brave and selfless service of our soldiers we would be unable to worship freely and openly. Francis' comment is insulting. Thank you,and your father,for your service, Paul. God bless you.
Thank you Cyn for your kind note my friend. God bless you! It is most unfortunate that Francis should insult the many men and women who liberated Europe from the Nazis and the Axis powers and kept this country free.
Pray for him. That he might relinquish his contempt for the soldier.
I wish someone would ask Francis is he'd be happier living under the Axis?
Ditto! Thanks.
"Francis is now denigrating soldiers as "warmongers.""
Sounds like some confused, malcontent teenager from the sixties. Somebody get Jorge a calendar.
And may God bless our military and their families.
Its a sin in new church to fight evil and serve your homeland you must be a citizen of the one world order.
http://the-american-catholic.com/2017/11/03/popewatch-war/
My mother's family gave my country (France) a succession of 5 generals, father, son, grandson and grand-grandsons. The two last ones were brothers (one assassinated during WWII). The first one, a humble winegrower in Burgundy, became general in Napoleon's "La Grande Armée" and died during the battle of Borodino, near Moscow.
My first son is officer (captain) in the French Land Forces, a pilot of helicopters, currently engaged in the war against islamists in Mali (Africa).
The words of the Pope aimed at the best men of our poor country, courageous, obedient, ready to self-sacrifice are truly disgusting.
Every time Francis open his mouth, I prefer to shut my ears, knowing that he is upon to say something hurtful against us the trad catholics, or worse against our Catholic Faith.
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