464. What are the duties of citizens in regard to civil authorities?
(Comp 464) Those subject to authority should regard those in authority as
representatives of God and offer their loyal collaboration for the right
functioning of public and social life. This collaboration includes love and service
of one's homeland, the right and duty to vote, payment of taxes, the defense of
one's country, and the right to exercise constructive criticism.
“In brief”
(CCC 2255) It is the duty of
citizens to work with civil authority for building up society in a spirit of
truth, justice, solidarity, and freedom.
To deepen and
explain
(CCC 2238) Those subject to authority should regard those in
authority as representatives of God, who has made them stewards of his gifts:
(Cf. Rom 13:1-2) "Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human
institution.... Live as free men, yet without using your freedom as a pretext
for evil; but live as servants of God" (1 Pet 2:13, 16). Their loyal
collaboration includes the right, and at times the duty, to voice their just criticisms
of that which seems harmful to the dignity of persons and to the good of the
community. (CCC 2240) Submission to authority and co-responsibility for the
common good make it morally obligatory to pay taxes, to exercise the right to
vote, and to defend one's country: Pay to all of them their dues, taxes to whom
taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due,
honor to whom honor is due (Rom 13:7). [Christians] reside in their own
nations, but as resident aliens. They participate in all things as citizens and
endure all things as foreigners.... They obey the established laws and their
way of life surpasses the laws.... So noble is the position to which God has
assigned them that they are not allowed to desert it (Ad Diognetum 5, 5 and 10; 6, 10: PG 2, 1173 and 1176). The Apostle
exhorts us to offer prayers and thanksgiving for kings and all who exercise
authority, "that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and
respectful in every way" (1 Tim 2:2).
Reflection
(CCC 2239) It is the duty
of citizens to contribute along with the civil authorities to the good of
society in a spirit of truth, justice, solidarity, and freedom. The love and
service of one's country follow from
the duty of gratitude and belong to the order of charity. Submission to
legitimate authorities and service of the common good require citizens to
fulfill their roles in the life of the political community. (CCC 2241) The more
prosperous nations are obliged, to the extent they are able, to welcome the foreigner in search of the security and
the means of livelihood which he cannot find in his country of origin. Public
authorities should see to it that the natural right is respected that places a
guest under the protection of those who receive him. Political authorities, for
the sake of the common good for which they are responsible, may make the
exercise of the right to immigrate subject to various juridical conditions,
especially with regard to the immigrants' duties toward their country of
adoption. Immigrants are obliged to respect with gratitude the material and
spiritual heritage of the country that receives them, to obey its laws and to
assist in carrying civic burdens.
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