Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 325 – Part III.

YOUCAT Question n. 325 – Part III. What is the basis for authority in society?

(Youcat answer - repeated)  Every society relies on a legitimate authority to ensure that it is orderly, cohesive, and smoothrunning and to promote its development. It is in keeping with human nature, as created by God, that men allow themselves to be governed by legitimate authority.

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 1901) If authority belongs to the order established by God, "the choice of the political regime and the appointment of rulers are left to the free decision of the citizens" (GS 74 § 3). The diversity of political regimes is morally acceptable, provided they serve the legitimate good of the communities that adopt them. Regimes whose nature is contrary to the natural law, to the public order, and to the fundamental rights of persons cannot achieve the common good of the nations on which they have been imposed.   

Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) Of course an authority in society must never originate in the raw usurpation of power but must have legitimacy under law. Who rules and what form of government is appropriate are left to the will of the citizens. The Church is not committed to particular forms of government but only says that they must not contradict the Common Good.

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 1902) Authority does not derive its moral legitimacy from itself. It must not behave in a despotic manner, but must act for the common good as a "moral force based on freedom and a sense of responsibility" (GS 74 § 2): A human law has the character of law to the extent that it accords with right reason, and thus derives from the eternal law. Insofar as it falls short of right reason it is said to be an unjust law, and thus has not so much the nature of law as of a kind of violence (St. Thomas Aquinas, STh I-II, 93, 3, ad 2).

(The next question is: When does an authority act legitimately?)

Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 325 – Part II.

YOUCAT Question n. 325 – Part II. What is the basis for authority in society?

(Youcat answer - repeated)  Every society relies on a legitimate authority to ensure that it is orderly, cohesive, and smoothrunning and to promote its development. It is in keeping with human nature, as created by God, that men allow themselves to be governed by legitimate authority.    

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 1900) The duty of obedience requires all to give due honor to authority and to treat those who are charged to exercise it with respect, and, insofar as it is deserved, with gratitude and good-will. Pope St. Clement of Rome provides the Church's most ancient prayer for political authorities  (Cf. As early as 1 Tim 2:1-2): "Grant to them, Lord, health, peace, concord, and stability, so that they may exercise without offense the sovereignty that you have given them. Master, heavenly King of the ages, you give glory, honor, and power over the things of earth to the sons of men. Direct, Lord, their counsel, following what is pleasing and acceptable in your sight, so that by exercising with devotion and in peace and gentleness the power that you have given to them, they may find favor with you" (St. Clement of Rome, Ad Cor. 61: SCh 167, 198-200).      

Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) Of course an authority in society must never originate in the raw usurpation of power but must have legitimacy under law. Who rules and what form of government is appropriate are left to the will of the citizens. The Church is not committed to particular forms of government but only says that they must not contradict the Common Good.

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 1918) "There is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God" (Rom 13:1). (CCC 1919) Every human community needs an authority in order to endure and develop. (CCC 1922) The diversity of political regimes is legitimate, provided they contribute to the good of the community.

(This question: What is the basis for authority in society? is continued)

Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 325 – Part I.

YOUCAT Question n. 325 – Part I. What is the basis for authority in society?

(Youcat answer)  Every society relies on a legitimate authority to ensure that it is orderly, cohesive, and smoothrunning and to promote its development. It is in keeping with human nature, as created by God, that men allow themselves to be governed by legitimate authority.

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 1897) "Human society can be neither well-ordered nor prosperous unless it has some people invested with legitimate authority to preserve its institutions and to devote themselves as far as is necessary to work and care for the good of all" (John XXIII, PT 46). By "authority" one means the quality by virtue of which persons or institutions make laws and give orders to men and expect obedience from them.   

Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) Of course an authority in society must never originate in the raw usurpation of power but must have legitimacy under law. Who rules and what form of government is appropriate are left to the will of the citizens. The Church is not committed to particular forms of government but only says that they must not contradict the Common Good. 

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 1899) The authority required by the moral order derives from God: "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment" (Rom 13:1-2; cf. 1 Pet 2:13-17).

(This question: What is the basis for authority in society? is continued)

Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 324 – Part II.

YOUCAT Question n. 324 – Part II. On what principles does a society build?   

(Youcat answer - repeated) Every society builds on a hierarchy of values that is put into practice through justice and love.       

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 1888) It is necessary, then, to appeal to the spiritual and moral capacities of the human person and to the permanent need for his inner conversion, so as to obtain social changes that will really serve him. The acknowledged priority of the conversion of heart in no way eliminates but on the contrary imposes the obligation of bringing the appropriate remedies to institutions and living conditions when they are an inducement to sin, so that they conform to the norms of justice and advance the good rather than hinder it (Cf. LG 36).       

Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) (Youcat comment) No society can last unless it is based on a clear orientation toward values that are reflected in a just ordering of relationships and an active implementation of this justice. Thus man may never made into a means to an end of social action. Every society needs constant conversion from unjust structures. Ultimately this is accomplished only by love, the greatest social commandment. It makes it respect others. It demands justice. It makes conversion from inequitable condition possible.

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 1889) Without the help of grace, men would not know how "to discern the often narrow path between the cowardice which gives in to evil, and the violence which under the illusion of fighting evil only makes it worse" (CA 25). This is the path of charity, that is, of the love of God and of neighbor. Charity is the greatest social commandment. It respects others and their rights. It requires the practice of justice, and it alone makes us capable of it. Charity inspires a life of self-giving: "Whoever seeks to gain his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it" (Lk 17:33). (CCC 1896) Where sin has perverted the social climate, it is necessary to call for the conversion of hearts and appeal to the grace of God. Charity urges just reforms. There is no solution to the social question apart from the Gospel (cf. CA 3, 5).   

(The next question is: What is the basis for authority in society?)

Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 324 – Part I.

YOUCAT Question n. 324 – Part I. On what principles does a society build?  

(Youcat answer) Every society builds on a hierarchy of values that is put into practice through justice and love.

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 1886) Society is essential to the fulfillment of the human vocation. To attain this aim, respect must be accorded to the just hierarchy of values, which "subordinates physical and instinctual dimensions to interior and spiritual ones" (CA 36 § 2). Human society must primarily be considered something pertaining to the spiritual. Through it, in the bright light of truth, men should share their knowledge, be able to exercise their rights and fulfill their obligations, be inspired to seek spiritual values; mutually derive genuine pleasure from the beautiful, of whatever order it be; always be readily disposed to pass on to others the best of their own cultural heritage; and eagerly strive to make their own the spiritual achievements of others. These benefits not only influence, but at the same time give aim and scope to all that has bearing on cultural expressions, economic, and social institutions, political movements and forms, laws, and all other structures by which society is outwardly established and constantly developed (John XXIII, PT 36).     

Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) No society can last unless it is based on a clear orientation toward values that are reflected in a just ordering of relationships and an active implementation of this justice. Thus man may never made into a means to an end of social action. Every society needs constant conversion from unjust structures. Ultimately this is accomplished only by love, the greatest social commandment. It makes it respect others. It demands justice. It makes conversion from inequitable condition possible.   

(CCC Comment)  

(CCC 1895) Society ought to promote the exercise of virtue, not obstruct it. It should be animated by a just hierarchy of values.    

(This question: On what principles does a society build? is continued)