Retributive vs. Defensive Action

CACN, Spring, 1999

Retributive vs. Defensive Action

From time to time it is good to remind our readers of some important doctrinal distinctions regarding the use of force. As we have clarified repeatedly in myriad interviews, retributive force is the province of the civil authorities who bear the sword Lawfully under the Laws of God; the state is authorized to execute capital criminals and flog derelicts.

But it is the right of the citizen to use defensive force to save the innocent from the attacks of an assailant. Such action can be condemned only if the humanity of the one being protected is denied.

The application is this: We offer no apologetic for the termination of retired abortionists. Such action would not fall under the category of justifiable use of force, educational value notwithstanding.