What Is Just War?

Film Focus: In this edition of Catholicism Presents, Br. Casey Cole, OFM, discusses the just war doctrine noting that it was first developed when Christianity was legalized and has continued to evolve over the centuries. He ends the video questioning if this strategy is the best way to deal with the thorny issues of modern warfare.

Text Focus: Pages 219-222

Discussion Questions:

1. Why does the Catholic Church need a just war doctrine?
2. What do the phrases jus ad bellus and jus in bello mean?
3. What are the six criteria which govern a just war? How does each of these criteria protect human life?
4. Using the six criteria of just war doctrine grade the Israelite people for how they conducted warfare as they were conquering the Promised Land. Discuss why God may have allowed some of these violations of just war doctrine to occur (Hint: There is not an easy answer).
5. Discuss whether you believe the just war doctrine to be the best way to resolve violent situations. If it is not the best way, what else would you propose?

*Permission to link to this video for use in the classroom as part of the accompanying lesson has been granted by the producer.