Editor’s Note: If you want to know how messed up the Vatican is in its internal organizations, just read this essay by a former employee of the Vatican Secretariate of State, who does not understand how the right of self-defense makes a war just for the defender as a first principle of moral action, derived from the Natural Law, which cannot be dispensed with by any human authority or earthly agreement, not even by the Roman Pontiff.

He writes,

According to Catholic social teaching, however, there are at least two principles even more fundamental than the principles for determining a just war. The first is the dignity of the human person and “the natural inclination of persons and peoples to establish relationships among themselves” (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 433).

And by saying such, he shows that he does not understand the first important distinction, that which exists between ontology and morals, and the next which regards persons and societies. Questions of morality regarding individuals are distinct from those which regard entire nations. And truths of natural beings are not the principles for determining whether a war is just or not, since they are as first principles of all morals. So, if anyone appeals to the principles of just war to justify an unjust war, it is not necessary to refer back to the principles of natural being to refute him on their basis, it is sufficient to discern the error in the application of the principles of just war. In fact, the right and authentic principles of just war can never be contrary to the truths of ontology, which are first principles of morals. Gallagher seems not to understand this.

Thus, to the argument that Ukraine’s defense is not just because she cannot win, the proper response is that since self-defense is always just, regardless of one’s ability to successfully defend oneself or not, it is a perversion of right reason to say with R. R. Reno that Ukraine’s military efforts to defend her territory are not just because of her inability to do this. It is also contrary to fact to say or claim that Ukraine cannot defend herself, as she has withstood (with the help of Allies which she has recruited) the second superpower in the world for 3 years with minimal loss of territory. Reno’s position is the morality of tyranny, where every nation state which is less powerful must succumb to every nation state which is more powerful. His opinion is revoltingly immoral and contrary to all Catholic Teaching.

Moreover, Gallagher’s statement that the Church somehow should never propose a detailed solution to an military conflict is also one of the most lame responses I have ever heard of. This is a diplomat for a supine foreign policy, which is interested in shaking hands but not ending conflicts.

The average Catholic in the pew, with a Rosary in his hand, knows how to make peace in Russia: the Consecration of that nation to the Immaculate Heart. That diplomatic solution was given 108 years ago, and those in the Secretariate of State still do not understand that Heavenly Proposal. Yet, the Secretariat of State eats up most of the annual budget of the Vatican City State.

What a waste of souls, lives and money! Q.E.D..