Why Do Priests Seem Disappointed When...

[Lilllabettt]

It's natural. Everyone's glad you're playing football, but they would like it best if you joined their team. Religious priests are most excited for people to become religious, diocesan priests are most excited for you to join them. Being a chaplain is its own thing ... a distinct vocation in a lot of ways.

[AdAltareDei]

[quote name='Resurrexi' post='1863564' date='May 10 2009, 12:41 PM']The just war doctrine [i]is [/i]an authoritative teaching.[/quote]

No it's not. The Church has never, and will never, say that it's members must accept a particular war as good.

Also please notice that I said that a war can't be justified in TODAYS world. I believe Card. Ratzinger had similar thoughts actually, as has been mentioned on this thread.

[CatherineM]

[quote name='AdAltareDei' post='1863400' date='May 10 2009, 01:53 AM']I don't like it when clergy dress like laymen.[/quote]

That picture is of a Navy Chaplain. He isn't dressed as a laymen. You just can't see the stripes on the sleeve of his dress blue uniform in that picture.

[Socrates]

[quote name='Paladin D' post='1862099' date='May 8 2009, 06:48 PM']So far, majority of the priests that I've made mention that I'm joining/joined the Army, seem disappointed. They don't outright express it, but their mood changes a little, while on the other hand almost everyone else is happy (though still worried for my safety).

Maybe because they hope that I enter the seminary, thus adding to the ranks in the diocese and such? I can still serve the Church in many ways as a lay person, maybe even have more of an impact/influence amongst the laity since I'm 'one of them' and not part of the clergy so to speak. People do act differently in ways around priests than they do with fellow Catholics. I'm not against the idea of the priesthood, but it kind of makes me feel odd I suppose when I receive that type of reaction. Not sure what to think.

Nonetheless, if my vocation is marriage or the priesthood, the Army will play a role (I could return as a chaplain).[/quote]
Congratulations, bro!

As for the priests' reaction, if you are indeed reading it correctly, your guess is as good as anybody else's. The reason would depend on the individual priest.
Military service certainly does not preclude joining the priesthood (to serve either as a chaplain, or in civilian life). I've known some excellent priests who've had military background, as well as a Marine officer who's considered the priesthood.
I think priests with a military background bring a much-needed discipline, focus, and manliness to the ordained ministry.

[quote name='AdAltareDei' post='1862603' date='May 9 2009, 09:05 AM']Because war, in our own day and age, cannot be justified.
We're the highest evolved species on earth, lets try to sort our differences out without killing one another?

We still haven't come to terms with the fact that 1% have 99% on their knee's.[/quote]
Poppycock.

If we simply got rid of our armed forces in the name of "peace," all the world's murderous dictators would not suddenly toss their weapons into the sea and dance around holding hands and singing Kumbayah, but instead would feel free to do as they please without fear of reprisal. It would also leave us totally open to anyone who saw fit to invade for whatever purpose.
A military is necessary for any country's defense, regardless of whether any given war is fully justified or not.
It's a big bad world out there.

"To secure peace is to prepare for war."

Edited May 11, 2009 by Socrates

[Resurrexi]

[quote name='AdAltareDei' post='1863761' date='May 10 2009, 09:22 PM']No it's not. The Church has never, and will never, say that it's members must accept a particular war as good.

Also please notice that I said that a war can't be justified in TODAYS world. I believe Card. Ratzinger had similar thoughts actually, as has been mentioned on this thread.[/quote]

The Church has said that we must accept the conditions for a just war (cf. the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2309; Lumen Gentium, 25) since the just war doctrine has been taught by the Magisterium of the Church.

Additionally, I don't think that the Church would canonize different people who had important military roles (e.g. St. Nuno Álvares Pereira, whom Pope Benedict XVI canonized less than a month ago; St. Louis IX; and St. Joan of Arc) if she thought the wars in which those Saints fought had been unjust.

[Socrates]

The Church has always acknowledged the right to self-defense, both of individuals and of nations.

[MithLuin]

[b]AdAlt[/b], you seem confused. Just war doctrine does not say 'wars are just!' - it says 'wars are only just if these criteria are met.' Thus, Just War Doctrine is something that isn't up for negotiation and can certainly be used to support the opinion you put forward.

You are right that the Church does not demand that we accept certain wars as just. The current pope and the previous one both expressed doubts whether or not the criteria set forth by just war doctrine could be met in modern warfare. But that doesn't mean the doctrine is outdated - it means that the Church condemns most (if not all) modern wars...using this very doctrine.

[Resurrexi]

[quote name='Socrates' post='1863796' date='May 10 2009, 10:08 PM']If we simply got rid of our armed forces in the name of "peace," all the world's murderous dictators would not suddenly toss their weapons into the sea and dance around holding hands and singing Kumbayah, but instead would feel free to do as they please without fear of reprisal. It would also leave us totally open to anyone who saw fit to invade for whatever purpose.
A military is necessary for any country's defense, regardless of whether any given war is fully justified or not.
It's a big bad world out there.

"To secure peace is to prepare for war."[/quote]

[CatherineM]

[quote name='Resurrexi' post='1863814' date='May 10 2009, 09:24 PM'][/quote]

I hate publicly agree with the two of you. People are going to talk.

[tinytherese]

Thought that I'd post this from my blog.


"O Saint Michael, defender of goodness, righteousness, and truth please protect the soldiers in Iraq from physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual harm. For those who are already suffering from these afflictions bring them comfort and hope so that they may persevere. Please pray for their sanctification and if they do not know the beauty of Catholicism pray for their conversion. Many are in grave spiritual danger, so send the soldiers chaplains who are faithful to the Church. Their souls greatly need nourishment, not merely to fight against the earthly enemy but the worst enemy of all: the devil.

Even though the troops are away from home, assure them that Their Heavenly Father is with them and that their mother Mary is there to console them. Pray that they may receive Jesus Christ in the Eucharist daily if possible to have the strength and power to become holy and fight for their Master. Make Confession available to them to rid them of all that is unclean. Ask The Holy Spirit to help them use His fruits and gifts properly. Remind them of their fellow soldiers, the saints, who endured the good fight.

Please pray especially for the families of the soldiers. May they come together during this difficult time and grow spiritually. Give them the strength they need to live another day separated from their loved one.

The Official Prayer to St. Michael

Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in the day of battle. Be our protection against the wickedness
and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray. O do
thou O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God thrust into
Hell Satan and all the evil spirits prowling about the world seeking the
ruin of souls.

Amen.

Here's a song called "Letters from War." You are warned though, it will probably make you cry.
[url="http://youtube.com/watch?v=x9CHRioindE&feature=related""]http://youtube.com/watch?v=x9CHRioindE&amp...e=related"[/url]

[url="http://childofourlady.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2007-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&updated-max=2008-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=20"]http://childofourlady.blogspot.com/search?...;max-results=20[/url]

[Adrestia]

[quote name='CatherineM' post='1863873' date='May 10 2009, 10:10 PM']I hate publicly agree with the two of you. People are going to talk.[/quote]
and laugh.






p.s. I'm also in agreement.

... but to get back on topic,

Paladin D - it's not you, it's them. Disappointment on their part may have nothing to do with the military; it could just be that you're not choosing them. It's a compliment that they wanted you - not condemnation of the military.

[johnnydigit]

i was looking for lyrics for a song and read someone comment, "since I want to join the Army, I cry when I listen to this song."

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eBA7fWS8Yw"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eBA7fWS8Yw[/url]

"Music Box" by Thrice

we move for all mankind, a million miles from everything we've ever known
and we're on their hearts and minds, a million heads are bowed to bring us safely home
hemmed in by emptiness, a million ways that everything could be undone
this hollow in my chest is filled with reasons not to sing but I found one, I know

we are not alone, we feel an unseen love
we are sons and heirs of grace
we are children of a light that never dims
a love that never dies, keep your chin up child
and wipe the tears from your eyes

in sleep we saw ourselves, a million years we had been waiting there it seems
while someone weaves a spell, a million stars look on in witness to our dreams, I know

we are not alone, we feel an unseen love
we are sons and heirs of grace
we are children of a light that never dims
a love that never dies, keep your chin up child
and wipe the tears from your eyes

we feel an unseen love
we are children of light

we are not alone, we feel an unseen love
we are sons and heirs of grace
we are children of a light that never dims
a love that never dies, keep your chin up child
and wipe the tears from your eyes

stand ready and tall, reflect the light

[journeyman]

Vaya con Dios Paladin . . . and come home again

[hérisson]

[quote name='Brother Adam' post='1862616' date='May 9 2009, 05:10 PM']There will always be evil men in this world and thus there will always be a need for a strong national defense in every nation. We don't know when the next Hitler will rise.[/quote]

But what happens if the next Hitler is going to rise in the country where our friend is serving ?
Will he be freee to refuse ?

[Norseman82]

A week or two ago, I received something from the Archdiocese for Military Services (aka AMS) which profiled about 11 men who either were recently ordained or are in the seminary for the AMS. Most of them were in the military prior to seminary, either as officers or enlisted. So, as others have mentioned, going into the military does not necessarily mean that you are turning your back compeltely to the priesthood.