Cannon.jpg

Code of Canon Law, 1983 A.D.

Can. 1323 The following are not subject to a penalty when they have violated a law or precept:. . . 5/ a person who acted with due moderation against an unjust aggressor for the sake of legitimate self defense or defense of another; ...

--- Codex Iuris Canonici. © Copyright, Libreria Editrice Vaticana.

Papal Flag (1).jpg

Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1997 A.D.

2263 The legitimate defense of persons and societies is not an exception to the prohibition against the murder of the innocent that constitutes intentional killing. "The act of self-defense can have a double effect: the preservation of one's own life; and the killing of the aggressor. . . . The one is intended, the other is not."65

2264 Love toward oneself remains a fundamental principle of morality. Therefore it is legitimate to insist on respect for one's own right to life. Someone who defends his life is not guilty of murder even if he is forced to deal his aggressor a lethal blow:

If a man in self-defense uses more than necessary violence, it will be unlawful: whereas if he repels force with moderation, his defense will be lawful. . . . Nor is it necessary for salvation that a man omit the act of moderate self-defense to avoid killing the other man, since one is bound to take more care of one's own life than of another's.66

2265 Legitimate defense can be not only a right but a grave duty for one who is responsible for the lives of others. The defense of the common good requires that an unjust aggressor be rendered unable to cause harm. For this reason, those who legitimately hold authority also have the right to use arms to repel aggressors against the civil community entrusted to their responsibility.

--- Catechism of the Catholic Church. © Copyright, Libreria Editrice Vaticana.

shield-158587_1280.png

U.S. Catholic Catechism For Adults, U.S.C.C.B., 2006 A.D.

"Self-defense against an unjust aggressor is morally permitted. There is also a moral duty for the defense of others by those who are responsible for their lives. Self-defense or the defense of others as the goal of protecting the person or persons threatened. Once the threat is eliminated, no further action is required. In such situations, the deliberate killing of the aggressor can be permitted only when no other solution is possible. Any response to aggression must be proportionate to the nature of the threat or the act of aggression."

--- United States Catholic Catechism For Adults, Pages 390- 391; or Part III, Ch. 29. © Copyright, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

baltimore-catechism-no-1.jpg

Baltimore Catechism, 1891 A.D.

Q. 1276. Under what circumstances may human life be lawfully taken?

A. Human life may be lawfully taken:

1. In self-defense, when we are unjustly attacked and have no other means of saving our own lives; ...

--- Baltimore Catechism.

Douay.jpg

Douay Catechism, 1649 A.D.

Q. 484. Is it not lawful to kill in any cause?

A. Yes, in a just war, or when public justice requires it: "For the magistrate beareth not the sword without cause." Rom. i. 4. As also in the blameless defence of our own, or our innocent neighbour's life, against an unjust invader.

--- The Douay Catechism of 1649 by Henry Tuberville, D.D. [Mirror 1]

trent.jpg

Catechism of Trent, 1566 A.D.

If a man kill another in self-defence, having used every means consistent with his own safety to avoid the infliction of death, he evidently does not violate this Commandment.

--- Catechism of the Council of Trent III, §§ 327-332.