When Joshua Casteel, a conscientious objector, spoke to the pope about the Catholic Peace Fellowship’s initiative, “The pope listened carefully, then thanked Mr. Casteel and told him he would pray for him.” (CR, May 3) Would the pope not say the same to a conscientious protector?
People should act in accordance with their conscience, but it is a stretch to assume from the pope’s response that being a conscientious objector is the only conscientious Christian response to threats against life and values. If that were the case there would be no need for the church to issue justified-war criteria and it would be inappropriate for the church to yield ultimate authority for declaring war to legitimate government leaders.
Where would we be if every Goliath was not confronted with a God-chosen David?