‘Just’ War and Abortion

In response to “If War Is ‘Just,’ So Is Abortion,” by Frances Kissling (Commentary, April 17):

Quite possibly the just war ethic is only “an obscure set of principles” in the mind of Kissling and others who subscribe to her befuddled reasoning. The American bishops did not repudiate the Catholic Church teaching on a “just war ethic” simply because the majority opined the Gulf War did not meet the “just war” criteria. Their failure to venture a definitive opinion only points to an unwillingness to take a stand, not a denial of church teachings. The “seamless garment” philosophy as espoused by a “small . . . band of progressive Catholics” also does not represent the official position of the Catholic Church.

By singling out the American bishops and the seamless garment argument, Kissling tries to depict the Catholic Church at odds with itself. How misleading! Church teachings have always been clear, constant and without ambiguity. Two constant themes that run through all Catholic Church teachings are humble obedience to God’s law and respect for the sanctity of all innocent human life. Whether those innocent lives be the victims of an aggressive war or the victims of an abortionist’s tools, the church has taught the justification for their defense against their would-be killers. People who perform or procure abortions against an innocent human life are no better than a ruthless dictator who murders, rapes and pillages a peaceful nation.

RICHARD C. LANER

Los Angeles