US Bishops "Forget" President's Real Duties

 This is embarrassing.

 “For over a thousand years, the Catholic Church has taught just war theory and it is that long tradition the Holy Father carefully references in his comments on war. A constant tenet of that thousand-year tradition is a nation can only legitimately take up the sword ‘in self-defense, once all peace efforts have failed’ (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2308). That is, to be a just war it must be a defense against another who actively wages war, which is what the Holy Father actually said: ‘He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war.’

“When Pope Leo XIV speaks as supreme pastor of the universal Church, he is not merely offering opinions on theology, he is preaching the Gospel and exercising his ministry as the Vicar of Christ. The consistent teaching of the Church is insistent that all people of good will must pray and work toward lasting peace while avoiding the evils and injustices that accompany all wars.”

 We have not made a secret of our opposition to this war.

That said, it appears that the US Bishops very carefully skirt the question of "prudential judgment."  IOW, they assert--without evidence--that the US started an offensive war against Iran.

But in fact, the US President, given evidence by his military and intel sources, may have determined that Iran has been on the offensive against the US by asymmetric means and attacks, AND that '.....all peace efforts' over the last 20+ years '....have failed.'  Thus, using prudential judgment, he launched a defensive assault on Iran.

(We happen to disagree with the President's determination.  So what?  Apparently the Pope does, too.  So what?) 

Do the Bishops believe that Trump, and those who agree with him, are "bad faith operators" in this instance?

If so, they should just say so, instead of embarrassing themselves with very carefully-designed tip-toe statements which ignore the munus of the President.