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I am a Catholic, too, and I DO think this fell under the heading of a "just war."

I suggest that you review exactly what situation we were in before we invaded Iraq. Pay special attention to the plight of the Iraqi people. If we had NOT invaded, they would still be under Saddam's tyranny, with his sons ready to pick up the reigns of power when he died.

Unlike some, I take to heart the admonition that we ARE our brother's keeper, especially when people are being oppressed by a guy who was actively seeking nuclear weapons, which Saddam was doing, as has been amply demonstrated on this forum, regardless of what the media says.

I am sorry you don't see this, but it doesn't change my opinion. As far as Pope John Paul II's protest against this war, it was not made with the knowledge of all that the President knew, and the Holy Father was in failing health as well.

Yes, it is true that there is too much name-calling on these threads, and that is a shame. On that we can agree. Thank you for taking the time to post your thoughts.

I've noted the situation in Iraq before the invasion and I also note the conditions now. Could we really say things have changed for the better? They look immeasurably worse, to me. As far as the future goes, if the Islamic radicals ever assume power in Iraq, it will make Saddam's time seem like "the good old days".

The Catechism says this:

1) the damage inflicted by the aggressor on the nation or community of nations must be lasting, grave, and certain;

That's a very high standard. Note the wording. It does not say "possible", "probable" or even "highly likely.". It says certain.

2) - all other means of putting an end to it must have been shown to be impractical or ineffective;.

Were they? Or did we simply tire of Saddam playing games with UN inspectors and decide to eliminate him?

3)- there must be serious prospects of success;

OK, fair enough. We truly thought we could turn Iraq into a model Middle Eastern democracy.

(4)- the use of arms must not produce evils and disorders graver than the evil to be eliminated. The power of modem means of destruction weighs very heavily in evaluating this condition.

This is where it really falls apart, in my opinion. The "evils and disorders" which an Islamic, sectarian, destabilized Iraq will present, surpass Hussein's secular dictatorship, I believe. Not to mention the American lives lost. And for the Christians, in Iraq, life is now infinitely worse. Most have left Baghdad and are sheltering in enclaves for protection.

Being one's "brother's keeper" is not synonymous with the application of overwhelming military force and the declaration of war.