Torture

[Guest JeffCR07]

I was wondering if anyone could answer a question I have on the issue of Torture and whether or not it is ever permissible. I have read the entry on torture in the Catechism, but it is very brief and, while it acknowledges torture as a grave offense to the dignity of the parties involved, it does not say one way or another whether or not it could, in extreme cases, be considered licit.

The stereotypical-extraordinary case is the "ticking bomb" scenario (i.e. there is a time bomb that will kill thousands and you have the terrorist captured, if you torture him he will talk and you will be able to save the people), though extreme and unlikely, has been troubling me.

I have looked for articles on this issue from an orthodox catholic source, but have been unable to find them, and was really hoping someone would be able to give me either an answer, or directing in finding one.

- Your Brother In Christ, Jeff

[BLAZEr]

A grave offense is never licit. Torture is always a sin and never permissable.

It is never permissable to commit evil even though good may come. The ticking bomb scenario is such a case. If you torture him, you may (or may not) get accurate information to stop the bomb, however you have denied him his human dignity. You have committed evil so that good may come. It's like the old morality question "Would you kill Hitler's mom to prevent the birth of Hitler?"