Former Navy Captain and chaplain, Lieutenant Commander Monsignor Gene Thomas Gomulka, now a prominent advocate for victims of clerical sexual abuse, recently commented on the Iran war. He finds it hypocritical for the Vatican to issue statements against U.S. actions against Iran while remaining silent and lacking strong condemnation of alleged sexual predators.
Gomulka leans toward viewing the conflict as a just war. Drawing from the teachings of Saint Augustine and Thomas Aquinas, he outlined the traditional conditions for a just war: the cause must be just, it must be declared by legitimate authority, it must have the right intention, it must be a last resort, and there must be a reasonable probability of success and justice.
Before you continue reading, please note that this is not an attack on Pope Leo XIV. He is the Supreme Pontiff, and he deserves our utmost respect, no matter how much we may dislike his pontificate. However, it is undeniable that his words and actions often seem to favor anything other than Catholicism. Therefore, we should respond charitably when things do not seem to align with our faith. This is also not a defense of Trump. I admire his presidency; however, his words, actions, and style can be very harsh and undiplomatic. That said, his uncontrolled attacks on the Pope and on Catholicism should be condemned. Still, it appears at times that he is more Catholic than the Pope. More about my stance on the tension between these two world leaders is discussed in my previous post.
He raises a hypothetical question: if Donald Trump had not acted to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons—and those weapons were later used against cities like Washington, D.C., or New York—what would Pope Leo XIV or Timothy Broglio say then?
He also argues that a preemptive strike can, in some cases, be morally justified—especially when it prevents large-scale loss of life before a threat fully materializes. While he admits the outcome of the war is uncertain, he believes critics of the President, including the Pope and some U.S. bishops, could be proven wrong if several outcomes are achieved: the fall of Iran’s tyrannical leadership, the prevention of nuclear weapons development, and the end of Iran’s role as a leading state sponsor of terrorism.
He also questions the moral credibility of both Pope Leo XIV and Archbishop Broglio. He points out that he has found no clear evidence of them publicly condemning the Iranian government’s violent suppression of protesters, which has reportedly resulted in over 30,000 deaths.
Responding to Pope Leo XIV’s statement that God “does not listen” to leaders who start wars, Gomulka offers a sharp counterpoint: God also “does not listen” to popes and bishops who engage in or cover up the abuse of children and vulnerable individuals. He claims that, after nearly a year in office, Pope Leo XIV has yet to discipline more than 160 bishops credibly accused of sexual abuse and misconduct.
“In response to Pope Leo, who said that God “does not listen” to leaders who start wars, I would say that God “does not listen” to popes and bishops who engage in and cover up the abuse of children and persons in vulnerable situations. After almost a year in office, Leo has yet to discipline over 160 bishops credibly accused of sexual abuse and misconduct.”
He concludes with a broader reflection: just as the world watches how long the Iranian people will endure oppression before reclaiming control of their country, one must also ask how long Catholic laity will continue to support Church leaders accused of tolerating or concealing abuse.
On Trump’s claim that Pope Leo XIV is “weak on crime,” Gomulka says it is justified if Church leaders fail to discipline clergy involved in abuse or cover-ups. He cites cases like Father Marko Rupnik as evidence and argues that, if such acts are criminal, Trump’s remark does not require an apology.
“President Trump is correct in accusing Pope Leo of being “weak on crime” when he fails to discipline prelates who engage in or cover up abuse; when he allows sexual abuse victims like Lisa Roers to be denied justice; and when priests like Father Marko Rupnik, accused of raping over twenty nuns, are not held accountable for their crimes. If rape and child sex abuse truly constitute criminal behavior, then Trump has no reason to apologize for calling Leo “weak on crime.””
Gomulka’s reflections are shaped by both his military background and his experience within the Church. As a former Navy Captain and chaplain, he brings a perspective formed by discipline, command responsibility, and real-world concerns about security and decision-making. He was also given the title of Monsignor by Pope John Paul II, which adds weight to his standing as someone who has served within the Church’s own structures.
Because of this combination of military service and ecclesiastical recognition, his voice carries a level of credibility that makes his perspective worth seriously engaging, especially on issues involving ethics, authority, and accountability.
This post is inspired by the following Substack articles by Monsignor Gene Gomulka:
Check out this book on clerical sexual abuse and the Church crisis on Amazon: Letter to a Suffering Church: A Bishop Speaks on the Sexual Abuse Crisis (2019) by Bishop Robert Barron at https://amzn.to/3Ojaxsq.
Leave a Reply