Catholic Bishops Quotes

There are only two cases in which war is just: first, in order to resist the aggression of an enemy, and second, in order to help an ally who has been attacked.

War itself is justifiable only on principles of self-preservation:

No right can come by conquest, unless there were a right of making that conquest.

If there is no direct threat why are we invading?

War, in some instances, especially defensive, has been authorized by Heaven.

The only defensible war is a war of defense.

A sane person doesn't think war is a good idea. I'm not a pacifist. I feel that there are situations where fighting is inescapable, but we don't go looking for those things.

Except in case of attack by armed forces … the people shall have the sole power by a national referendum to declare war or to engage in warfare overseas.

International law seeks to avoid the use of force but does not preclude it.

A rational fear of an imminent danger is said to be a justifiable cause of war.

The preemptive use of force has always been part of international law.

What the devil are we going to be at with this great fleet, and the reinforcements if ships and troops that are following? The Danes have done nothing hostile towards us … Would it be justifiable without any previous hostile act?

If you recognize the right of every nation to construe for itself what is aggressive war and what is defensive war, you have not accomplished much by agreeing to renounce war.

We must begin by acknowledging the hard truth: We will not eradicate violent conflict in our lifetimes. There will be times when nations—acting individually or in concert—will find the use of force not only necessary but morally justified.

Pre-emptive war might fall within the framework of international law.

I think, unfortunately, we live in a world where people attack other people and I think a legitimate rationale for war is the saving of human life, the saving of lives of people who cannot defend themselves.

If Pakistan has any ideas of annexing any part of our territories by force, she should think afresh. I want to state categorically that force will be met with force and aggression against us will never be allowed to succeed.

When under attack, no country is obligated to collect permission slips from allies to strike back.

Some in my party threaten to send a message that they don't know a just war when they see it, and more broadly that they're not prepared to use our military strength to protect our security and the cause of freedom.

The United Nations charter gives every nation the right to self defence, therefore when the American embassies were bombed it was a matter of time before the Americans responded by going for what they suspected were the causes of the attack.

War, except in self-defense, is a failure of moral imagination.

Most recently, terrorist forces have captured Israeli soldiers and fired rockets into Israeli cities - both unprovoked. These acts of aggression deserve the rapid and decisive response they received.

At every step the vast majority have expressed horror at the idea of an aggressive war.

Today, war of necessity is used by critics of military action to describe unavoidable response to an attack like that on Pearl Harbor that led to our prompt, official declaration of war, while they characterize as unwise wars of choice the wars in Korea, Vietnam and the current war in Iraq.

For a war to be just three conditions are necessary - public authority, just cause, right motive.