Comment to Kevin Miller

De Virtutibus has weighed in again on Just War and Iraq Saddam Hussein, specifically replying to Michael Novak's latest at NRO:

.... Furthermore, to the extent that a prudential judgment is indeed called for, the matter is more complex than Novak suggests. Novak goes on: "In republics, these are the elected public authorities, that is, people like Berlusconi, Blair, and Bush, along with their parliaments, according to law."

But again, the Catechism doesn't speak of "authorities." And in republics, all citizens - elected leaders and their constituents - "have responsibility for the common good." Declaration by proper (elected) authorities is necessary for the legitimacy of war, but that doesn't mean that others lack the responsibility to argue for or against war on the basis of the evidence available to them (obviously on the matter of evidence some deference to political leaders' statements and expertise is necessary) and right moral principles, to try to persuade their fellow citizens and elected representatives....

It seemed to me that, in traditional Catholic lingo, those who "have responsibility for the common good" means those with civil authority. I may be mistaken about that; but the Catechism itself gives us pointers to come to that conclusion; thus, I have posted a comment, as follows:

The concluding paragraph of CCC # 2309 is not written with much precision. As you say, it does not mention "authorities". However, it has a cross-reference to CCC # 1897, which begins the section "Authority". Also, CCC # 1897 cross-references CCC # 2234, which begins the section "The Authorities in Civil Society". I think you need to re-think your objection here.

BTW, though we don't agree on everything, Prof. Miller is definitely a man whose thoughts deserve thoughtful attention.

Lane Core Jr. CIW P — Wed. 02/19/03 11:17:20 AM
Categorized as Religious.