Think life and act peace

It has been observed that man/woman is the most aggressive animal on earth. The recent gruesome murder of “Afande” Andrew Felix Kaweesi, his body guard and his driver, followed by killing of a child by a policeman, in Buluma, Mityana District, speak volumes.

Since the Biblical fratricide of Abel by Cain, mankind’s inclination to kill seems to have become his/her second nature. From a faith perspective, homicide falls under the regime of Satan, who is a liar and murderer (1 John 3:8).

Murder
It is in wake of man’s murderous violence that God instituted the fifth commandment, “Thou shalt not kill”. It addresses God’s gift of human life. Human life must be accorded its sacredness because from its beginning it involves the creative action of God and it remains forever in a special relationship with Him. No one can under any circumstance claim for himself/herself the right directly to destroy human life. Everyone has a right to health-care.

Ending human life
Abortion, willed as an end or as a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law and crime against human life. Because it should be treated as a person from conception, the embryo must be defended in its integrity, cared for, and healed like every other human being.

“If we can accept that a mother can kill even her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill one another? We must persuade a woman not kill her child by reminding her that love means to be willing to give until it hurts...” says Mother Teresa.

Euthanasia or mercy killing, whatever its forms or motives, is homicide. It is gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person and to the respect due to the Creator. Suicide is also forbidden, because it is contrary to justice, hope, and charity. The terminally sick need treatment and palliative care

In self-defence
The prohibition of murder does not, however, hinder one from self-defence. But one must do so only with intention of rendering an unjust aggressor inability to inflict harm.

Legitimate defence is a grave duty for whoever is responsible for the lives of others or the common good.

The state is duty-bound to defend the life and property of its citizens, hence, the institution security agencies. The state, though, has no right to kill, even by means of capital punishment. Even after the judgment of Cain for fratricide, God spared his life and forbade anyone to kill him (Genesis 4).

Respect for human life and its flourishing need peace
Peace is not just the absence of war. It is a state of well-being that comes from respect for the dignity and rights of both individual people and whole communities.

The arms race, competition for superiority in arms among states, must be regarded as a great curse on the human race. Spending on weapons diverts resources from the needy and impedes countries’ development.

Ironically, accumulation of arms does not ensure peace, but only increases insecurity. Mother Jones, a magazine published by the Foundation for National Progress, reports that owning a gun has been linked to higher risks of homicide, suicide, and accidental deaths.

Wayforward
The manufacture, sale, transfer, possession, or use of firearms by civilians must be regulated. We must address social inequalities, envy, distrust, and pride that undermine human dignity and constantly threaten peace, and cause wars.

Jesus faced a cruel death on the cross to end homicide. We need a new generation of peace thinkers and leaders with emphasis on teaching tolerance and non-violence. “Now choose life, so that you and your children may live,” says God in Deuteronomy 30:19.

The writer is a priest.