Militant in Training

In writing a three part defense of Catholic nonviolence and pacifism, I’ve been reading and reflecting heavily upon the Church’s teachings, especially papal encyclicals and messages. And within this process, I have found my heart moved. The wisdom and love of Christ has unearthed deep questions, and within those questions, I find an opportunity of conversion. Am I no longer an absolute pacifist, no longer an anarchist? Something different? Something deeper? At this point, all I know is that I am Catholic, radical, militant. Part three of Militant – the War of Mercy – is forthcoming. Again, I am amazed by God’s grace and power – the power to propel me down the path of faith, to true conversion, to true militancy.

Where do we turn to for conversion?

Resources for conversion:

• Pope JPtG Peace Messages 1979-2005
• Pope JPtG Encyclicals
• PapalEncyclicals.net (1216-2005)

Next in line – the great councils of the Church:

1. Council of Nicaea I : 325 A.D.
2. Council of Constantinople I : 381 A.D.
3. Council of Ephesus : 431 A.D.
4. Council of Chalcedon : 451 A.D.
5. Council of Constantinople II : 553 AD
6. Council of Constantinople III : 680-681 A.D.
7. Council of Nicaea II : 787 A.D.
8. Council of Constantinople IV : 869-870 A.D.
9. Lateran Council I : 1123 A.D.
10. Lateran Council II : 1139 A.D.
11. Lateran Council III : 1179 A.D.
12. Lateran Council IV : 1215 A.D.
13. Council of Lyons 1 : 1245 A.D.
14. Council of Lyons 2 : 1274 A.D.
15. Council of Vienne : 1311-12 A.D.
16. Council of Constance 1414-18 A.D.
17. Council of Basel-Ferrara-Florence : 1431-1435 A.D.
18. Lateran Council V : 1512-17 A.D.
19. Council of Trent : 1545-63 A.D.
20. Vatican Council I : 1869 AD
21. Vatican Council 2: Index [Text version – at RCNET]
    Vatican Council 2: Index [HTML versions – at EWTN]

Here are something interesting to think about, and a prelude to Militant, Part 3:

We prohibit under anathema that murderous art of crossbowmen and archers, which is hateful to God
– Second Lateran Council

The more I learn from the Church, the more I love the Church. The more I love the Church, the more I learn from the Church. And all the while, I grow closer and closer to being the person Christ has destined me to be. St. Augustine, pray for us!