Bishop Joseph E. Strickland, Bishop Emeritus, Substack - The Catholic Church upholds the sacred dignity of every human life, made in the image of God. The Catechism teaches us that “actions deliberately contrary to the law of nations and to its universal principles are crimes” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2313). This applies to all parties engaged in warfare, whether nations, militant groups, or coalitions. While a nation has the right to defend itself and protect its people, such actions must remain within the bounds of justice, proportionality, and moral law.