Notre Dame theology professor to assess Iran war under Catholic just war theory at military conference

A Notre Dame University theology professor will deliver a keynote address examining whether the U.S.’ ongoing conflict with Iran meets the moral criteria of Catholic just war theory during the inaugural Catholic Military Conference in November. 

According to a July 28 press release from the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, Joseph Capizzi, McGrath-Cavadini director of the university’s McGrath Institute for Church Life, will speak at the three-day gathering. The archdiocese will sponsor the conference, themed “Living and Serving Justly,” Nov. 9-11 at the Westfields Marriott in Chantilly, Virginia. 

“The position of the Church is that the use of force, including lethal force, is bound by the moral law, and even when countries resort to the use of force in conflict, it's not anything goes,” Capizzi said in the release. “In fact, both sides remain bound to the requirements of moral international law regarding the treatment of civilian populations, the treatment of prisoners of war and wounded soldiers, among others, and this has been spelled out for a long time in Western tradition.”

Capizzi — author of the 2015 book Politics, Justice, and War: Christian Governance and the Ethics of Warfare — will draw on the teachings of Saints Augustine and Thomas Aquinas to address the Iran war, which began Feb. 28 and has prompted many Church leaders, including Pope Leo XIV, to call for restraint.

>> Pope Leo again decries Iran war: ‘We cannot remain silent’ <<

“War as an instrument of the use of force by government is meant to be only for causes that are just, in situations that are grave, where diplomacy has failed, and as a last resort,” Capizzi said in the release.

He added that even when force is used, it must observe the principle of discrimination or distinction by distinguishing between legitimate and illegitimate targets. 

“Civilian populations, civilian structures like schools, hospitals, desalinization plants and so on — they are not legitimately targeted,” Capizzi said. “You must abide by this principle of distinction, and any uses of force must be proportional to the ends sought.”

Katie McGrady, host of the “Katie McGrady Show” on Sirius XM’s Catholic Channel, and retired Marine Corps Lt. Gen. John E. Wissler will also speak at the event, according to the release.

Early-bird registration is open on the conference website, and a VIP registration option offers additional benefits, including a private reception with Archbishop Timothy Broglio.