By Brianna Llewellyn, Contributing Writer
Students from all focuses gathered in Selby auditorium last Wednesday on Nov. 6 to lend a listening ear to a controversial topic. “Pro-life and Pro-war” discussed what it was like to be a Catholic Marine in military operations, such as the Vietnam War and Desert Storm. The featured speakers were Dr. Stephen Okey and Brigadier General Tom Draude (USMC ret.).
Okey is an Assistant Professor of Theology and Draude was an adjunct professor, both employed by the University.
Okey’s presentation struck chords as he explained the ins and outs of war in what he called “Just War Criteria.” His presentation was a list of rules to be followed by all soldiers — whether going into war, fighting a war, ending a war, or Jus Ad Bellum, Jus in Bello, and Just Post Bello.
Jus ad bellum, the right to war, included rules such as just cause, the right intentions, legitimate authority, last resort, probability of success, and proportionality — when the outcome of the good outweighs the bad.
Jus in bello, the law of war, consisted of rules such as discrimination of targets, proportionality (weapons used should be proportionate to the
cause), and malum in se –a way to say that soldiers at war should not use
weapons or tactics that are intrinsically wrong.
Jus post bellum, justice after war, included rules such as just cause (reached intended goal, or no moral way to continue the war), Discrimination of participants (when dealing out punishment distinctions should be made between politicians, civilians, and combatants), proportionality (terms of surrender should be proportionate to the harm inflicted), and pursuit of peace (reasonable efforts should be made to prevent future aggression).
Draude fought and served in many major, all of which has had a major effect on American History. Today, the brigadier general serves as the
president and chief executive officer of the Marine Corps University
Foundation and holds the Robert H. Barrow Distinguished Chair of Military Studies.
Draude agreed to address the controversial topic of being Catholic soldier. His intention was to reconcile being catholic and being in combat.
To begin, the brigadier general asked the question “Was I Pro-war?” and answered with, “I was once, but I have to ask that you forgive a 22-year-old who had not seen the horrors of war.”
He also described what it was like to be Catholic on the base stating that “The Marine Corps is the Catholic branch of service, [and]as a lieutenant
getting ready for major operations, the chapel would hold mass for hundreds of Catholics.”
Can you still be a Catholic and kill? By the end of the presentation, the brigadier general explained that he thought that it is justifiable to kill
some people at some times. However, it is not ideal.
