Courage at Crossroads: Hechtel, Belgium, 8–12 September 1944

The relation between Christian Realism, which incorporates just-war theory, and the virtues is well known; but within this theological stance and ethical tradition some moral and intellectual traits are more to the fore than others. Temperance and humility, prudence and justice lie at the heart of Christian Realism, while courage—in general, the most popular of the four cardinal virtues—is less prominent. And yet courage (fortitudo) is worth thinking about because it is invariably required for the achievement of just ends. Soldiers must not only endure hardship and peril for the sake of the good; they must also actively defend the (relatively) innocent against armed aggressors.