Is It Right To Rejoice At The Death Of An Evil Man?

Picture I took at "ground zero" May 2004

I thought I was going to write about my first night at Weight Watchers, but I think that'll have to wait until tomorrow. In light of last night's news that Bin Laden had been killed, I feel compelled to write about the reaction to his death. 

I was getting ready for bed when the NY Times alert on my iPad went off. The pop up on the screen said that White House was about to announce that Bin Laden had been killed. When I told my wife, she thought I was lying. I guess she felt like many of us have in the 9 1/2 years since 9-11 - that he would never be caught.

I will admit that upon first hearing the news, I felt that justice had been served. That soon passed, replaced with disbelief at how jubilant people were about Bin Laden's death.  At some core level I feel those reactions are incongruent with my Catholic faith.  In fact, the Vatican today issued a statement: “Faced with the death of a man, a Christian never rejoices, but reflects on the serious responsibility of each and every one of us before God and before man, and hopes and commits himself so that no event is an opportunity for further growth of hatred, but for peace.”

Not only am I troubled that these demonstrations some how undermine our faith, but I am also concerned that these images broadcast throughout the world put Christians in harm's way.  I believe it will be a matter of time - sooner than later - that there is retaliation.  It makes me ponder Gandhi's words: "Victory attained by violence is tantamount to a defeat, for it is momentary."