Ever wonder about the ethics of dueling?

I know you do, all the time.

Well, here is Pope Leo XIII's take on it. (Catholic Church, motto: "We've got a rule for that." ;)

PASTORALIS OFFICII (On the Morality of Dueling)

Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII promulgated on 12 September 1891.
To the Archbishops and Bishops of the German Empire and Austria-Hungary.

Mindful of your pastoral duty and moved by your love of neighbor, you wrote to me last year concerning the frequent practice among your people of a private, individual contest called dueling. You indicate, not without grief, that even Catholics customarily engage in this type of combat. At the same time your request that We, too, attempt to dissuade men from this manner of error. It is indeed a deadly error and not restricted to your country, but has spread so far that practically no people can be found free from the contagion of the evil. Hence, We praise your zeal. It is clearly known what Christian philosophy, certainly in agreement with natural reason, prescribes in this matter; nevertheless, because the vicious custom of dueling is being encouraged with greatest forgetfulness of Christian precepts, it will be expedient to briefly review these rules.

Click to read the rest.