Catholic Church Honors German Military

The German military is regaining popularity.
 

On January 28, German soldiers from surrounding Bundeswehr locations took part in the annual World Peace Day service in Würzburg’s St. Kilian’s Cathedral. Bundeswehr.de noted on February 4: “When soldiers serve as altar servers and escort the clergy to the altar, it is also a sign of special appreciation on the part of the church toward the Bundeswehr.”

In his address, German Roman Catholic Bishop Franz Jung thanked the German armed forces for their commitment and service under often unclear military, ethical and political conditions and also for their recent services in the pandemic. He said their contribution during the pandemic “makes it clear that it is a citizen army.”

https://twitter.com/Deutsches_Heer/status/1357261588982624258

Since the celebration occurred the same day as the St. Thomas Aquinas Feast, Jung used the occasion to explore the question of a “just war.” In the eyes of many Catholics, Thomas Aquinas was one of the most important theologians and philosophers of the Middle Ages. He famously contemplated how the lives of soldiers can be reconciled with the life of a Christian. Jung quoted the essential conditions Aquinas gave to justify war: It must be waged by a legitimate authority, for a just cause, with good intentions, and be the last word in wisdom when all other means of conflict resolution have been exhausted.

Jung then posed the question if wars in the classical sense still exist and concluded that the Bundeswehr is mostly involved in so-called “peacekeeping missions,” or humanitarian projects against terror, human rights violations and genocide. The question of a just war, he said, is evolving today into the question of what might be criteria for legitimate use of force.

“The principles of St. Thomas are not outdated,” explained Jung. “Today, they must be rethought and reinterpreted, and in this way we must find the middle way between absolute pacifism and realpolitik without any illusions.” The end goal, he said, would not be to ask what a just war is but to establish a just world order, that makes waging wars redundant.

Considering the Catholic Church’s history in Europe, this praise for the German military and the contemplations about a just war and a just world order are alarming.

This isn’t the first time the Catholic Church has decided what is a just war. Pope Urban ii believed conquering Jerusalem was a just cause when he called for a crusade in 1095. He too believed it would bring about world peace. Many popes after him held the same opinion and supported similar endeavors. Pope Pius xii reasoned similarly to justify collaborating with Nazi Germany and fascist Italy.

With this in mind, one would expect the Catholic Church to be more apologetic and distance itself from any association with the military and its so-called “peacekeeping missions.” But the Catholic Church continues to believe it can decide which wars are just and which are not.

When considered along with Bible prophecy, this becomes alarming. The Bible reveals that the Catholic Church will inspire Europe to lead yet another attempt to conquer Jerusalem. A prophecy in Daniel 11 specifically reveals that the mission will be disguised as having a peacekeeping objective. In The Eternal Has Chosen Jerusalem (free upon request) Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry explains:

Daniel’s prophecy goes on to show how the modern-day resurrection of this ancient empire will exceed the brutality of its predecessors: “… and many countries shall be overthrown …. He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps” (Daniel 11:41-43). The Holy Roman Empire will realize its maniacal ambitions! Many countries will be overthrown and subjugated! This conquest will be shocking, and the world will tremble! The Germans, inflamed with victory, will feel invincible.

What will happen next? It is likely at this point that little Judah will ask the Germans for protection. Verse 41 says about this European power: “He shall enter also into the glorious land”—speaking of Israel. The Hebrew for “enter” indicates a peaceful entry, not forced. The Germans will undoubtedly be invited in as a peacekeeping force. (This is further explained in our free booklet Nahum—An End-Time Prophecy for Germany.) The powerful European army, guided by the Roman Catholic Church, will then enter the glorious land.

Once again, war will be justified by promising a greater peace. This pursuit for world peace has deceived millions over the ages. Few realize that all these attempts have been misguided by the god of the world, Satan the devil (2 Corinthians 4:4).

Nonetheless, God promises to bring peace—not through men, but through divine supernatural intervention (Daniel 2:44). As Mr. Flurry explains in The Eternal Has Chosen Jerusalem, the crusades of the past have been only a mere foreshadow of the worst suffering mankind has ever seen. But there is hope beyond the troubling times. Request your free copy of The Eternal Has Chosen Jerusalem to learn how true, lasting peace will finally be administered from Jerusalem at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.