To help follow the statements of this application, this is the blank of the Selective Service (1968-70) form I filled out. These four postings, the last coming next week, relate to that format. [click on to enlarge]
2. cont. The basis of my convictions directly concerning the
question of conscientious objection was established at the seminary three years
ago. There, in scripture courses I came
to have a more mature understanding of my faith and the message of the
Gospels. In lectures and in
conversations with fellow students I became acquainted with ideas, such as that
of the Catholic theologian, Bernard J. Cooke, which give a greater insight as
to how Jesus is both God and man. From
his description of Jesus as having to grow in the understanding of His own
nature, just as every man has to, I came to feel closer to Christ. I began to realize that He had had a very
hard time deciding how to bring love into a world filled with violent
solutions. Confronted with violence He
offered His love and I have decided to attempt the same.
It
was about a year and a half ago that a priest friend of mine, Fr. Joseph
Melton, asked me what I thought about the morality of war. I realized that even with the specific
situation in Vietnam, I had not, up to that point, given the matter much
consideration. Since that time I have
written the Catholic Peace Fellowship, the Fellowship of Reconciliation, the
Clergy and Laymen concerned About Vietnam and talked with people in the
American Friends Service Committee, and read many of the publications of each
group. The pamphlet “Catholics and
Conscientious Objection” was especially helpful. These new sources I placed against the
background I had received in the message of the Gospels and this lead to the
belief I now hold.
3. The
tradition of the Catholic faith is permeated with men of God who had to disengage
themselves from the dominant social system when to do otherwise would compromise
their faith. As far back as during the
period of the Babylonian Captivity, in the Old Testament Shadrack, Michael
[sic.], and Abednego went into the fiery furnace rather than join the cult of
Nebuchadnezzar. At the time of the Roman
persecutions many died before they would alter their belief to fit the norms of
the Roman state. St. Thomas More lost
his position and his life because he would not assent to the self-imposed church
reforms of King Henry VIII. The movie A
Man for All Seasons presents a vivid portrayal of Thomas More’s struggle in
affirming his faith. All of these people
would not deny their faith, refused to enter into contract with any system
which was counter to their belief.
“The primary duty of medical
troops as of all other troops is to contribute their utmost to the success of
the command of which the medical service is part.” (Army Field Manual FM-10, p. 195) Service in the Armed forces as a non-combatant
is still service toward a purpose I believe to be morally wrong. Christ has said: “No man can serve two masters.” (Matt. 6:24)
In this case I cannot serve both God and the military.
As
for any moral sanction on ministering to the sick and injured my religion
contains none. It has always been part
of my religious training however, that I should be involved in the work God has
best suited me for. I feel my vocation
is in community development work and I would choose this over any other form.
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Later I've found out that I wasn't cut out for, and couldn't make a living in, community organizer-development work. So despite haughty vocational aspirations, I landed right back in the health professions--a physicians assistant for 33 years.
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And blessed beyond all possible hopes, by my valentine of 35 + years, Ande Marie Gaines McCarthy
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Pamphlet by Thomas Merton in 1967 I read then to help make up my mind -- still so much to learn. How to put into practice what we more fully begin to believe? The text is reprinted in a Casa Juan Diego Catholic Worker article found here, and we hope to look at this in our final Spirituality of Nonviolence course this Thursday.
{Cover art by Sr. Mary Corita, I.H.M.}
Illumination above by Kathy Brahney
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