A Blog for Dallas Area Catholics

What is the Church belief on gun control? January 23, 2013

The 100% bona fide, official Church Dogma on gun control is…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

It doesn’t have one. There is no doctrine and certainly no Dogma regarding gun control.  The Church has always maintained that the state has the power of the sword and the individual always has the right to defend his life and property, even up to the point of use of deadly force if necessary.  There is no doctrine that says lay people aren’t allowed field artillery or armored vehicles – if such use is proportional to the crime or moral assault perpetrated against them.  In the case of the armed robber breaking into one’s home at night, it would be hard to justify the extreme examples I cited above.  But ohhhh, very skerry “assault weapons”, those can be easily justified.  Unfortunately, under the influence of the passive-aggressive pacifist culture of Europe and, I would hope, some very bad advisors, recent Popes have made statements damning what they call “the arms trade” as well as various types of weapons, from nuclear devices to land mines.  In reality, this is an area the Church has no special competence.  The Church can, should and does lay down moral guidelines, but as far as taking those moral guidelines and turning them into specific policy prescriptions, that is the realm of the laity.

Unfortunately, that hasn’t stopped very politically motivated individuals in the Church from taking advantage of recent events to advance their preferred political views.  Two recent statements – one from Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi and one from the very problematic Bishop Stephen Blaire of the USCCB Justice and Peace Commission highlight the fact that Church leaders should really stick to their areas of competence.

First, Fr. Lombardi.  He appears to wholeheartedly endorse ANY gun control policies implemented by the Obama Administration, and even goes so far as to equate the “US government” with Obama:

The initiatives announced by the United States government in view of limiting and controlling the diffusion and use of arms are certainly a step in the right direction

As Phil Lawler notes at the link, Fr. Lombardi’s statement is problematic in numerous respects. It’s vague. He doesn’t make clear just which potential limits on legal gun sales he’s talking about.  But in a broader sense, is Fr. Lombardi, an Italian, an expert on US constitutional law, the federal system, separation of powers, the role of the courts, established gun control legislation (which is voluminous), or any of the factors which weigh on any action Obama may take?  In short, does he have any idea what he is talking about (does he have any special competence)?  I’m afraid the answer to all the above is no.  Fr. Lombardi is simply taking what he’s read or heard on TV – which in Europe is likely terribly biased and distorted – and giving his opinion that it sounds very nice indeed.  From the standpoint of Church Doctrine and how this weighs on your or my Catholic conscience, however, his words are totally meaningless. As I said, he has no competence to guide Catholic souls on such matters.  The correct response would have been to say nothing at all.

Closer to home, Bishop Blair, in a very ecumenical effort, has signed on with various other liberal/progressive/leftist nominal Church entities and separated sects to demand a universal background check for all gun – and gun accessory – purchases (my emphasis and comments):

Bishop Stephen Blaire of Stockton, chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has signed a letter calling for “immediate legislative action to accomplish the following: every person who buys a gun should pass a criminal background check.”   [why on earth should law-abiding citizens be forced to submit to such an invasive “background check?”  Such detailed records have been prone to abuse before.  This is not in keeping with the 2nd Amendment – the courts have made clear such universal requirements are unconstitutional.  I find the arrogance of such a demand, and the callous disregard for the rights of citizens, breath-taking]

“Preventing dangerous people from getting firearms has to be a top priority. Universal background checks via the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) should be utilized in every gun sale, including guns sold online, at gun shows, and through private sales,” the letter continued.   [In none of the mass shootings this year would such a background check have made the slightest difference, as none of the perpetrators were convicted felons. What this is, is an attempt to make gun buying and selling onerous, personally offensive, and difficult.  It’s also an attempt o wipe out small-time gun sellers and traders, who account for a large percentage of gun sales]

The letter, dated January 15, was sent by Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence, a new interfaith organization based at the United Methodist Church’s headquarters. Other signatories included the leaders of Catholic Charities USA, the Catholic Health Association, the Conference of Major Superiors of Men, and the Leadership Conference of Women Religious.  [In other words, the usual suspects, the usual friends of crushingly oppressive central government and enemies of individual rights given by God – except for sexual license, they’re totally OK with that]

“High-capacity weapons and ammunition magazines should not be available to civilians,” [Based on what premise?  Just your opinion?  Duly noted, and filed in the appropriate place. What do you mean by “high capacity?”] the letter added. “Gun trafficking should be made a federal crime. Currently, prosecutions only happen through a law that prohibits selling guns without a federal license, which carries the same punishment as trafficking chicken or livestock. We must empower law enforcement to investigate and prosecute straw purchasers, gun traffickers, and their entire criminal networks.”   [This is a stinking load of manure. There are dozens of laws against illegal sale and possession of firearms. This new requirement will do nothing to prevent criminals acquiring guns – they already acquire them illegally, for the most part – but will do much to curb the ability of law abiding citizens to arm and protect themselves]

Three days later, Bishop Blaire issued a brief statement on behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in response to President Barack Obama’s executive actions on gun violence.

“The bishops hope that the steps taken by the administration will help to build a culture of life,” the prelate said in his January 18 statement. “The frequent mass shootings over the course of 2012 reflected a tragic devaluing of human life, but also pointed to the moral duty of all people to take steps to defend it.”

The fact this happened in one of their enclaves has just really tripped the left-liberals out, hasn’t it?  They’re out of their minds over this.  I’m not at all into conspiracy theories, but I’m beginning to wonder if this wasn’t a false-flag operation. The timing and reaction is just too impeccable, too organized.

Having said that, once again, we have the USCCB firing off their opinion on pet liberal subjects. Out of the hundreds of such opinions they give a year, the vast majority are not even slightly binding on conscience and only serve to undermine the moral authority of the USCCB when it comes to speaking on issues where they can and should have a say.  All these meaningless, misguided statements, released on myriad subjects, just leads to the few faithful who pay attention to the USCCB to tune them out.  So, when something really important comes up, the laity are left wondering if that’s really important, too.  Again, the Catholic bishops have no special competence to dictate to the souls in their charge what kind of gun control policies – if any – to pursue.  They can remind us of the sanctity of life and the need for law and order, but it is up to the laity to determine which specific policies to implement.

In reality, it’s a distraction from the core mission of the USCCB, which is to save souls.  And it reminds me once again that the USCCB, and all these national conferences, are in reality nonentities in the Church.  They have no binding authority.  Their very bureaucratic nature lends them to be both ineffective in leadership and poorly oriented towards saving souls.  I am reminded of the USCCB’s incredibly equivocating document on pastoral care for homosexuals “Always Our Children,” which on many points undermined Catholic moral doctrine.  That’s simply one example of many.  Cardinal Bernadin was notorious for directing the adoption of dozens of pointless, totally ignored documents with a severe left-wing slant. I am more than ready to be rid of it.  It seems the prime role of all these huge “structures” stood up in the Church as a result of “collegiality” is to provide a haven for apostates to attack and undermine the Faith.  Let us return to the model of authority which  existed prior to Vatican II, and de-construct the structures.

And replace Lombardi, too.  Make him the curate for a nice condo complex full of octogenerian women religious.