Hi, I'm a Catholic that actually knows what he's talking about rather than believing some sensationalist article. So let me explain some things.
First, some quotes:
"In a world marked by evil ... the right of legitimate defence by means of arms exists. This right can become a serious duty for those who are responsible for the lives of others, for the common good of the family or of the civil community. This right alone can justify the possession or transfer of arms". (Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, "The International Arms Trade: an Ethical Reflection" in Origins 8 (24), 7 July 1994, p. 144).
International Conference on Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in all its Aspects
Does anyone here disagree with that?
That's an actual document that I can link to that you can read. I can't for the life of me find the supposed "The International Arms Trade," document that the original article quotes. Feel free to go to the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace's website and search for ANY reference to handguns: Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace
No hits. Try a google search on the vatican.va domain for handguns. (handguns site:vatican.va). Again, no hits.
As far as the USCCB goes (that is, the United States Council of Catholic Bishops), they have NO ACTUALLY AUTHORITY IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. They have the authority to rule on a few liturgical matters, but have no moral or doctrinal authority. If you like, I can show you the Canon Law that says exactly how much authority the USCCB has.
It seems to be absolutely true that the USCCB wants to ban handguns. That has no bearing on what the Catholic Church or individual Catholics believe or even what a particular Bishop believes or teaches. It is purely the prudential opinion of one particular group of people on one particular committee in the USCCB. I am a Catholic that agrees with and practices all that the Church actually teaches doctrinally and morally and I disagree with the USCCB on this matter.
Notice also that the Catholic News Service, where this article originated, is an arm of that same USCCB.
So, in short, this whole mess is simply the result of a few people grossly overstepping their authority for their own ends.
First, some quotes:
"In a world marked by evil ... the right of legitimate defence by means of arms exists. This right can become a serious duty for those who are responsible for the lives of others, for the common good of the family or of the civil community. This right alone can justify the possession or transfer of arms". (Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, "The International Arms Trade: an Ethical Reflection" in Origins 8 (24), 7 July 1994, p. 144).
International Conference on Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in all its Aspects
Does anyone here disagree with that?
That's an actual document that I can link to that you can read. I can't for the life of me find the supposed "The International Arms Trade," document that the original article quotes. Feel free to go to the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace's website and search for ANY reference to handguns: Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace
No hits. Try a google search on the vatican.va domain for handguns. (handguns site:vatican.va). Again, no hits.
As far as the USCCB goes (that is, the United States Council of Catholic Bishops), they have NO ACTUALLY AUTHORITY IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. They have the authority to rule on a few liturgical matters, but have no moral or doctrinal authority. If you like, I can show you the Canon Law that says exactly how much authority the USCCB has.
It seems to be absolutely true that the USCCB wants to ban handguns. That has no bearing on what the Catholic Church or individual Catholics believe or even what a particular Bishop believes or teaches. It is purely the prudential opinion of one particular group of people on one particular committee in the USCCB. I am a Catholic that agrees with and practices all that the Church actually teaches doctrinally and morally and I disagree with the USCCB on this matter.
Notice also that the Catholic News Service, where this article originated, is an arm of that same USCCB.
So, in short, this whole mess is simply the result of a few people grossly overstepping their authority for their own ends.