The Right to Protect – A Catholic Call for Just Defense

In the spirit of the Catholic teachings, we reflect on the moral duty of individuals to protect themselves and others from harm. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that self-defense is a legitimate response to an unjust aggression. As expressed in Romans 13:4, rulers bear the sword not in vain but as agents of God’s justice. Faith teaches us that while we should strive for peace and reconciliation, we are also called to defend the innocent and our own lives when threatened, even at night. Lesions of the past remind us that evil can lurk in the shadows, and it is through the grace of God and responsible actions that we may find the strength to defend ourselves. Thus, in proper circumstances and with a heart oriented towards love, we embrace our right to protect, ever mindful of the call to forgive and heal.

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