Fr. Emil Kapaun, a Catholic priest and U.S. Chaplain in the Korean War said “when I was ordained, I was determined to ‘spend myself ’ for God. I was determined to do that cheerfully, no matter in what circumstances I would be placed or how hard a life I would be asked to lead.” Fr. Kapaun, through his words, demonstrates his understanding of how difficult the role of Chaplain would be in the coming decades of war. The 20th century brought about the deadliest military conflict ever known to man. No longer would wars be fought for conquest but to defeat a universal threat, no matter the consequences. From new technical innovations like the tank to the deadly poison gas, warfare was forever changed. These new horrors of war brought about a need
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War is filled with injustices and terror, not a place you would expect a Catholic Chaplain to serve and fight in. The Catholic Church preaches that you should always “ Love your enemies” and not resort to violence and killing to achieve a goal. Throughout the centuries however, The Church has changed its views of fighting in a war. Through the later 19th to early 20th centuries the Church believed that a “Just war” could be fought.The New Catholic Encyclopedia defines a "just war" as “a shorthand way to the set of norms or criteria for assessing whether a government's recourse to force is morally justified” (POWERS). Chaplains become servants of the Church, spreading the good news of the Lord to the people who only see death. They serve the soldiers and through this bond, created by faith, become brothers in arms. Chaplains offer redemption to others, by giving the sacred sacraments, such as reconciliation and final rites. Although the view of a just war has changed into a more non-violence initiative in the Church, the concept of being a servant has only been increased. Modern day chaplains risk their lives to serve others, being guided by their faith, to spread faith to all, even in the more horrific
War is filled with injustices and terror, not a place you would expect a Catholic Chaplain to serve and fight in. The Catholic Church preaches that you should always “ Love your enemies” and not resort to violence and killing to achieve a goal. Throughout the centuries however, The Church has changed its views of fighting in a war. Through the later 19th to early 20th centuries the Church believed that a “Just war” could be fought.The New Catholic Encyclopedia defines a "just war" as “a shorthand way to the set of norms or criteria for assessing whether a government's recourse to force is morally justified” (POWERS). Chaplains become servants of the Church, spreading the good news of the Lord to the people who only see death. They serve the soldiers and through this bond, created by faith, become brothers in arms. Chaplains offer redemption to others, by giving the sacred sacraments, such as reconciliation and final rites. Although the view of a just war has changed into a more non-violence initiative in the Church, the concept of being a servant has only been increased. Modern day chaplains risk their lives to serve others, being guided by their faith, to spread faith to all, even in the more horrific