ABSTRACT
The positive affirmation of selective conscientious objection by church officials is a morally acceptable position for the Christian and, the Roman Catholic. Many of our parents responded with their own very vocal display of conscientious objection. They charged the author with indoctrinating our youth with liberal, pro-communist ideas. Instead of revising the proposal, the Congress, by an overwhelming majority, rejected outright the suggested regulations for conscientious objection status. The military has officially recognized that it is to its advantage to dismiss conscientious objectors and to term the process "conscience crystallization." Military commanders, rather than being vindictive, are open to those with post-induction claims for conscientious objection status because of sensitive assignments and security risks. While the US Catholic bishops have spoken in favor of the inviolability of conscience and of the right of conscientious objection and selective conscientious objection, Catholic teaching on peace, non-violence and conscientious objection still remains the best kept secret in the Catholic Church.
