Thursday, April 11, 2013
463. How should authority be exercised in the various spheres of civil society?
(Comp 463) Authority should always be exercised as a service, respecting
fundamental human rights, a just hierarchy of values, laws, distributive
justice, and the principle of subsidiarity. All those who exercise authority
should seek the interests of the community before their own interest and allow
their decisions to be inspired by the truth about God, about man and about the
world.
“In brief”
(CCC 2254) Public authority is
obliged to respect the fundamental rights of the human person and the
conditions for the exercise of his freedom.
To deepen and
explain
(CCC 2234) God's fourth commandment also enjoins us to honor
all who for our good have received authority in society from God. It clarifies
the duties of those who exercise authority as well as those who benefit from
it. (CCC 2235) Those who exercise authority should do so as a service.
"Whoever would be great among you must be your servant" (Mt 20:26).
The exercise of authority is measured morally in terms of its divine origin,
its reasonable nature and its specific object. No one can command or establish
what is contrary to the dignity of persons and the natural law.
Reflection
(CCC 2236) The exercise of authority is meant to give
outward expression to a just hierarchy of values in order to facilitate the
exercise of freedom and responsibility by all. Those in authority should
practice distributive justice wisely, taking account of the needs and
contribution of each, with a view to harmony and peace. They should take care
that the regulations and measures they adopt are not a source of temptation by
setting personal interest against that of the community (Cf. CA 25). (CCC 2237)
Political authorities are obliged to
respect the fundamental rights of the human person. They will dispense justice
humanely by respecting the rights of everyone, especially of families and the
disadvantaged. The political rights attached to citizenship can and should be
granted according to the requirements of the common good. They cannot be
suspended by public authorities without legitimate and proportionate reasons.
Political rights are meant to be exercised for the common good of the nation
and the human community.
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