Hey, He Said It: "Whether it is lawful for Clerics to Kill Evildoers?"

Welcome to the first installment of an occasional series in which I selectively quote famous Catholic authors for entertainment or satirical purposes. Consider these the light version of Cliffsnotes.

"Whether it is Lawful for Clerics to Kill Evildoers" (ST II-II, Q. 64, art. 1), in which St. Thomas Aquinas presents both sides of the question and eventually determines that, no, sadly, they can't:

Objection #1: It would seem lawful for clerics to kill evil-doers.

Objection #2: Much more ... may clerics, who are God's ministers and have spiritual power, put evil-doers to death.

Objection #3: Now it belongs to the princely office to slay evildoers ... Therefore those clerics who are earthly princes may lawfully slay malefactors.

On the contrary: "It is written (1 Timothy 3:2-3): "It behooveth . . . a bishop to ... not [be] given to wine, no striker."

St. Thomas responds: It is unlawful for clerics to kill, for two reasons.

Reply to Objection #1: The Priests or Levites of the Old Testament were the ministers of the Old Law, which appointed corporal penalties, so that it was fitting for them to slay with their own hands.

Reply to Objection #2: The ministry of clerics is concerned with better things than corporal slayings ... and so it is not fitting for them to meddle with minor matters.

Reply to Objection #3: Ecclesiastical prelates accept the office of earthly princes ... [but] this may be carried into effect by others in virtue of their authority."

Hey, he said it!