Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 377 – Part III.

YOUCAT Question n. 377 – Part III. When must we refuse to obey the State?

(Youcat answer - repeated) No one may follow orders from the State that violate God’s laws.    

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 2243) Armed resistance to oppression by political authority is not legitimate, unless all the following conditions are met: 1) there is certain, grave, and prolonged violation of fundamental rights; 2) all other means of redress have been exhausted; 3) such resistance will not provoke worse disorders; 4) there is well-founded hope of success; and 5) it is impossible reasonably to foresee any better solution.      

Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) It was Peter who called us to practice only a relative obedience toward the State when he said, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). If a State should establish laws and procedures that are racist, sexist, or destructive of human life, a Christian is obliged in conscience to refuse to obey, to refrain from participation, and to offer resistance.

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 2246) It is a part of the Church's mission "to pass moral judgments even in matters related to politics, whenever the fundamental rights of man or the salvation of souls requires it. The means, the only means, she may use are those which are in accord with the Gospel and the welfare of all men according to the diversity of times and circumstances" (GS 76 § 5). (CCC 2245) The Church, because of her commission and competence, is not to be confused in any way with the political community. She is both the sign and the safeguard of the transcendent character of the human person. "The Church respects and encourages the political freedom and responsibility of the citizen" (GS 76 § 3).      

(The next question is: Why is it not permissible to take one’s own life or the lives of others?)