Saint Maximilian of Tebessa was an African saint from the third century. When he was compelled to enlist in the Roman army his conscience would not allow him to swear allegiance to the emperor. As a result, he was beheaded. He is the first documented conscientious objector but he would not be the last. Indeed, the Order of Maximilian, a group of anti-war clergy formed in the 1970s took their name from him and were inspired by his example. May God grant us the courage to follow our conscience as well.
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