Earlier today, I mentioned President Trump’s threat to essentially end Iran as we know it if the country did not hop to and agree to his terms. His deadline was set for less than an hour from now. Well, big surprise, it turns out that he was just blowing smoke. His administration breathlessly announced that a ceasefire is now in place.
While I do think the whole war in Iran should be stopped, I was kind of looking forward to seeing Iran being brought to its knees, likely ushering in a third world war. It looks like Iran is safe, for now. So much for that popcorn. As a Catholic, I should bring forward what Pope Leo XIV has to say in regards to all of this.
The pope said that Trump’s threat against all of Iran’s civilization is “not acceptable.” I can see his point. He further said that Trump’s threats and actions could constitute a violation of international law. I will defer to his apparent expertise in the area of international law, but I really don’t think that Trump’s lawyers would remain silent if he were to approach the neighborhood of a violation of relevant laws.
When it comes down to it, actually, wars are mortal sins. Anyone who plans, executes or participates in a war is, as far as I can see, committing mortal sins. Yes, even our nation’s troops are, in my opinion as a lay Catholic, committing mortal sins left and right when they pick up weapons and kill the enemy. Sorry, not sorry. The truth hurts sometimes.
Yes, I joined the Army in 1999. Sure, I was medically discharged because I concealed a disqualifying heart condition. In so doing, I technically committed a felony but no charges were filed as they rarely prosecute those who want to get in, but they do prosecute those who try to get out. But I digress. The same applies to me: if I’d been deployed and gone to war, I would have been guilty of mortal sins every single day.
Of course, the pope is right in regards to his words on this matter. Trump is no Catholic, but our vice president is. Maybe Vice President Vance can talk some sense into Trump. Our nation’s leaders, some of them Catholic, committed severe mortal sins by ordering wars. It is not our place to judge whether they’re in Heaven or Hell right now, but I am almost certain that there was an awkward conversation when they got to the next stop.
Sometimes, there are exceptions. The Revolutionary War and The War of 1812 were necessary for our nation’s survival. The British threatened our nation’s very existence and they threatened and ended numerous military lives. Those are the exceptions. Ever since then, every war has been a mortal sin. The world wars, Vietnam, 9/11 and so much more. All unjustified.
The wars we’ve participated in since our nation’s existence was secured were not needed. They were all about revenge, not justification. Afte 9/11, Bush The Younger committed a mortal sin by ordering an act of retaliation. He had a chance to show the world that we as a nation can be merciful and forgiving, just as we promise to be every weekend in Mass.
Obama did the same when he ordered the murder of Osama bin Laden. That is what it was, folks, a murder under the guise of protecting our nation. We had no right to murder him. Yes, the terrorist leader ordered the murder of thousands of American citizens and yes, numerous troops died acting under Bush’s and Obama’s orders, but vengeance is not ours.
Bush should have shown mercy and should have publicly forgiven bin Laden and his minions. Obama had a chance to dial things back but failed to do so. Rather, he ordered the unjustified slaughter of a man. The Americans who cheered when Obama announced the leader’s death on live television arguably committed a mortal sin by celebrating the death of another. It’s sad to see.
Trump has definitely committed mortal sins for starting the Iran War in the first place.
Whatever happens next is up to Trump. Although seeing a potential war escalate may seem entertaining, but in actuality, it is a mortal sin and we should all just hope that Trump sees reason. So far, however, such hopes seem to be hopeless and unavailing.