October 14, 2001

As one long fascinated with historical coincidences, I was particularly struck by the fact that the war against terrorists in Afghanistan was launched by the United States and Britain on October 7, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary and the anniversary of the Battle of Lepanto in 1572. The war began just as the 11 A.M. liturgy was ending here, during which I preached on the victory of the papal fleet over the Ottoman fleet of Ali Pasha. History is not an exercise in obscurity. The defeat of the Ottoman forces in the sixteenth century has many parallels to our present situation.

Never changing are the criteria for a just war ("jus ad bellum"), as described by St. Augustine over 1600 years ago. 1) The cause must be just. 2) It must be directed by the legitimate government authority. 3) There must be a noble intent. 4) All other solutions for resolving the dispute must have been exhausted. 5) The resulting good must be greater than resulting damage. 6) There must be a reasonable chance of victory. 7) The ultimate goal must be the establishment of peace.

Once a war begins, it is to be conducted according to two just precepts ("jus in bello"), namely: 1) The force used must not exceed what is required to achieve a just end. 2) Every effort must be made strategically to prevent harm to innocent parties.

In 1982, Pope John Paul II reminded us that "People have the right and even the duty to defend their existence and freedom using proportionate means when they are threatened by an unjust aggressor." Long before, St. Paul told St. Timothy (2 Tim. 1: 7): "God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control." In any war, and above all in the unending spiritual combat which engages our souls all our lives, what power we have is to be guided by love and love requires the use of self-control. We may thank God that the Catholic Church has refined this moral analysis above all human institutions, never confusing bravery with false heroics or love with sentimentality.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + A HELPFUL INSTRUCTION

Eucharistic Ministry
To promote the "reform of the reform" of the Liturgy, and to correct widespread misunderstanding of liturgical norms by well-intentioned people, Pope John Paul II on the Feast of Assumption in 1997 issued an Instruction "Ecclesiae de Mysterio" on the collaboration of the non-ordained faithful in the Sacred Ministry of priests. It is a beautifully written meditation on the eucharistic rituals, and may be used as a stimulus for prayer and reflection on the deep mystery of the Holy Eucharist. Among its guidelines, it reminds us that the ordained clergy are the normative distributors of Holy Communion. In special and infrequent circumstances ("ex temporanea deputatione"), the lay faithful may be called on to assist in the distribution of the Blessed Sacrament, but not on a regular basis (see Article 8). Thus they are properly referred to as "extraordinary ministers" and not "eucharistic ministers." They may also assist the clergy in taking communion to the sick if there are a large number in need. To get this wrong is to make the mistake of what the Holy Father has described as clericalizing the laity and laicizing the clergy. Such confusion has not helped to encourage priestly vocations. We want our parish to be a model of the Roman guidelines, setting forth a right image of the economy of worship. Since these are the Holy See's counsels, they are not matters for debate but rather should be received as opportunities to reflect more deeply and joyfully on the way each of us may be of more fruitful service to Christ according to our unique states of life.

(Note: This and other documents of the Holy See are available through the bookshop of the Daughter's of St.Paul on E. 52d.St between Lexington and Third.)

Fr. George W. Rutler