Catechism index

1901. 1901 I. Authority 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." 20 The diversity … →
1902. 1902 I. Authority 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 … →
1903. 1903 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. 22 Authority is exercised legitimately only when it seeks the common good of the group concerned and if it employs morally licit means to attain it. If rulers were to enact unjust laws … →
1904. 1904 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. 22 "It is preferable that each power be balanced by other powers and by other spheres of responsibility which keep it within proper bounds. This is the principle of the 'rule of law,' … →
1905. 1905 II. The Common Good In keeping with the social nature of man, the good of each individual is necessarily related to the common good, which in turn can be defined only in reference to the human … →
1906. 1906 Do not live entirely isolated, having retreated into yourselves, as if you were already justified, but gather instead to seek the common good together. 25 By common good is to be understood "the sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily." 26 … →
1907. 1907 Do not live entirely isolated, having retreated into yourselves, as if you were already justified, but gather instead to seek the common good together. 25 First, the common good presupposes respect for the person as such. In the name of the common good, public authorities are bound to respect the fundamental and inalienable rights of the human … →
1908. 1908 Do not live entirely isolated, having retreated into yourselves, as if you were already justified, but gather instead to seek the common good together. 25 Second, the common good requires the social well-being and development of the group itself. Development is the epitome of all social duties. Certainly, it is the proper function of authority to arbitrate, … →
1909. 1909 Do not live entirely isolated, having retreated into yourselves, as if you were already justified, but gather instead to seek the common good together. 25 Finally, the common good requires peace, that is, the stability and security of a just order. It presupposes that authority should ensure by morally acceptable means the security of society and its … →
1910. 1910 Do not live entirely isolated, having retreated into yourselves, as if you were already justified, but gather instead to seek the common good together. 25 Each human community possesses a common good which permits it to be recognized as such; it is in the political community that its most complete realization is found. It is the role … →
1911. 1911 Do not live entirely isolated, having retreated into yourselves, as if you were already justified, but gather instead to seek the common good together. 25 Human interdependence is increasing and gradually spreading throughout the world. the unity of the human family, embracing people who enjoy equal natural dignity, implies a universal common good. This good calls for … →
1912. 1912 Do not live entirely isolated, having retreated into yourselves, as if you were already justified, but gather instead to seek the common good together. 25 The common good is always oriented towards the progress of persons: "The order of things must be subordinate to the order of persons, and not the other way around." 30 This order … →
1913. 1913 III. Responsibility and Participation "Participation" is the voluntary and generous engagement of a person in social interchange. It is necessary that all participate, each according to his position and role, in promoting the common good. This … →
1914. 1914 III. Responsibility and Participation Participation is achieved first of all by taking charge of the areas for which one assumes personal responsibility: by the care taken for the education of his family, by conscientious work, and … →
1915. 1915 III. Responsibility and Participation As far as possible citizens should take an active part in public life. the manner of this participation may vary from one country or culture to another. "One must pay tribute to … →
1916. 1916 III. Responsibility and Participation As with any ethical obligation, the participation of all in realizing the common good calls for a continually renewed conversion of the social partners. Fraud and other subterfuges, by which some people … →
1917. 1917 III. Responsibility and Participation It is incumbent on those who exercise authority to strengthen the values that inspire the confidence of the members of the group and encourage them to put themselves at the service of … →
1918. 1918 IN BRIEF "There is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God" (Rom 13:1). →
1919. 1919 IN BRIEF Every human community needs an authority in order to endure and develop. →
1920. 1920 IN BRIEF "The political community and public authority are based on human nature and therefore . . . belong to an order established by God" (GS 74 # 3). →