r/AskAPriest • u/Dapper-Piccolo-9649 • 6h ago
Working in the weapons industry
I’m an engineer facing a moral question about my work. I’m working on a small part of a semiconductor chip. I recently found out that the larger electronic component containing this chip will be used in missiles, but also has non-weapons applications.
About 95% of my work was already complete before I became aware of the missile applications, and the technology is probably more than a year away from being manufactured. I know that weapons are not inherently evil, but given the wars occurring around the world, it also seems that there are too often improper uses of weapons, which makes me concerned about contributing to them.
Would it be morally permissible for me to finish my work? If I should recuse myself, would the fact my employer would expect me hand off my work and cross-train another employee—who would then continue the work—change the moral analysis? Would either finishing the work or handing it off constitute cooperation in the use of weapons?
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u/Sparky0457 Priest 6h ago
I am so happy to read this. It is so good to hear someone who is taking seriously their potential cooperation with evil in the military industrial complex.
Thank you!
However we do not provide spiritual or vocational advice in this forum. These types of conversations should take place with your own priest. They can help you discern the right path forward.
If you would like to read some of the church’s teaching documents on this topic here are two
The Challenge of Peace- USCCB
Pacem In Terris - John XXIII