Pacifist saw all war as evil

	St. Maximilian When: 274-295 Where: North Africa What: Conscientious objector Feast: March 12

For decades in the United States, Catholics had to struggle to prove their patriotism. Bigots such as nativists and Know-Nothings argued that Catholics could not accept both the authority of the pope and the American president.

Millions of Catholics have proven their loyalty to country by serving in the military, where thousands have given their lives in warfare, and Catholic patriotism is no longer questioned.

But patriotism doesn't necessarily require military service. Indeed, some Christians, such as Quakers, steadfastly refuse to bear arms in line with ancient Christian practices.

Among such Christians was St. Maximilian, whose beliefs cost him his life. Even by the time he lived -- shortly before the start of the 4th century -- pacifism among Christians was disappearing.

Maximilian, the son of Fabius Victor, lived in Algeria in North Africa. When he was 21, he was called before the Roman proconsul, Dion, and charged with refusing to become a member of the Roman army. When asked why, he said: "I cannot enlist, for I am a Christian. I cannot serve. I cannot do evil."

"You must serve or die," Dion told him.

"I will never serve," Maximilian replied. "You can cut off my head, but I will not be a soldier of this world, for I am a soldier of Christ."

"Who has put these ideas into your head?"

"My conscience and he who has called me..."

"Be a soldier," Dion replied, "and accept the emperor's badge."

"Not at all. I carry the mark of Christ my God already."

"I shall send you to your Christ at once."

"I ask nothing better," Maximilian replied. "Do it quickly, for there is my glory...."

"Write his name down," Dion ordered. "Your impiety makes you refuse military service, and you shall be punished accordingly as a warning to others."

Dion ordered the reading of the death sentence: "Maximilian has refused the military oath through impiety. He is to be beheaded."

Maximilian then said his final words: "God lives."

With that, he was beheaded on the spot. His body was buried in Carthage, near the body of St. Cyprian, a 3rd century convert and bishop of Carthage who was beheaded for his Christian beliefs.

At a time when war is seemingly touted as a Christian response, it is good to know it wasn't always so.