POLITICS: Faith, Practicality, and Honor Concerns about Greenland – USSA News

Whether or not Greenland will ever become a US territory is anyone’s guess.  But it seems President Donald Trump would very much like this to be the case.

Because of President Trump’s rhetoric in regard to Greenland, Archbishop Broglio recently felt compelled to offer his thoughts on the matter. The Archbishop for the Military (and former President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops), spoke out on the issue of the United States potentially invading Greenland.

Broglio stated that he does not believe military action to take control of Greenland could be justified.  He said he “cannot see any circumstances” in which an American military operation to take control of Greenland or another ally’s territory could fulfill the criteria for a just war.

He also noted that U.S. troops in good conscience could refuse orders to participate in any military action to take control of Greenland.  In regard to the individual soldier, he said “I am obviously worried, because they could be put in a situation where they’re being ordered to do something which is morally questionable.” This would place a heavy burden on the soldier in the trenches.

Having served in the military, having been involved in joint NATO training exercises, and having consulted our NATO allies after leaving active duty, I, too, feel compelled to speak out.  I am very concerned over the rhetoric of our President. I also still have many friends in foreign military services and they have expressed similar concerns.

I understand the strategic importance of Greenland and the need for our greater military presence in its defense. However, I believe there is a both a moral, practical, and honorable way to accomplish that aim, and a wrong way to do so.

I believe President Trump’s rhetoric is the wrong way.  I think it has tarnished our country’s image and its ability to work with its allies.

The moral issue

Archbishop Broglio highlighted the “just war” theory as the moral compass. A just war is one that is only used as a means of legitimate societal self-defense. The Catholic Church has been at the forefront in defining its characteristics. As explained in the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” (CCC), 2309, certain principles must be met.

The principle of just cause is the first principle.  As Saint Thomas Aquinas explains in his Summa Theologica, a just cause is necessary for a war to be morally permissible.  So, war is acceptable only as a correction for some serious injustices, such as genocide, aggression against one’s country, to free people from tyranny, etc.

The principle of last resort is the second principle. It is also explained in the same section of the Summa. War is acceptable only after exhausting all peaceful solutions.

The principle of reasonable probability of success is the third principle. Only if there is a studied and realistic possibility of success is war allowed.

The principle of proportionality is principle number four. Only measured actions that would not bring about a worse state of affairs, or are not more violent than what is necessary are justifiable.

Often times, the list of principles also include other aspects. These go all the back to opinions offered by St Augustine as well as St. Thomas Aquinas.

The principle of public authority, for example, says that only the official public/civic authority can make decisions to wage war.

The principle of rightful intention declares that a just war must never include evil intentions.  Gaining territory, for instance, is not a moral reason.

The principle of discrimination points out that war actions should not include purposely killing non-combatants. War actions should be aimed at avoiding such outcomes.

And, finally, the principle of good faith notes that a combatant should not make falsehoods or break promises to an enemy. This is especially important for such actions as cease fires or peace negotiations.

Just war theory has been debated over the centuries. This brief essay cannot address all of the various issues, but those offered here present the moral or faith-based concerns to the prosecution of a war.

The practical issue

President Trump likes to bluster and bully and add drama to an issue . Perhaps his rhetoric is nothing but a negotiating tool. Time will tell. Regardless of the outcome, words have consequences. Those words can have an impact on our allies and friends.

It is a dangerous world and every country needs friends. Anything that undermines alliances (such as NATO) reduces our national security. Trump’s stated intent to acquire Greenland hurts NATO’s cohesiveness, and NATO’s ability to act cooperatively.  It breaks the close ties of the alliance. This is also the concern my European military friends express.

A matter of honor

A term that goes back centuries to express that of a brotherhood of arms among soldiers is “comradeship.” I know its old fashioned and corny, but I’m of the generation who knew comradeship with our European allies, especially Great Britain and Canada. It’s what we had in World War II, Korea, the Cold war, Kuwait, and Afghanistan (over 20 NATO nations contributed troops).

I believe part of being honorable is being respectful. Honor respects comradeship.

As mentioned before, I understand our country’s strategic goals. I also appreciate the need to have our allies more engaged in defensive efforts. However, there needs to be an honorable way to go about that which doesn’t alienate our friends.

Our obligations, by treaty to fellow NATO nations, have survived over 75 years. The bonds between NATO allied soldiers on the ground are pretty solid regardless of what the politicians say or do (even though each soldier thinks his country is the biggest, badist dog on the block).

As a nation we owe an allegiance to our Allies. It is a matter of honor. In that respect I hope cooler heads prevail and I pray our President has an epiphany about speaking and acting in a honorable fashion.

As St Paul wrote “… love one another with mutual affection, anticipate one another in showing honor” (Romans 12:10).