325 AUTHORITY IN SOCIETY

YOUCAT Lesson 325, March 26, 2015

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

325  What is the basis for authority in a society?

Every society relies on a legitimate authority to ensure that it is orderly, cohesive, and smooth-running 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.  [1897-1902, 1918-1919, 1922]

Signing the Constitution of the United States of America, September 17, 1787. …325

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.

“There is no society without an ultimate authority.”  Aristotle (382-322 B.C.)

1897-1902, 1918-1919, 1922

PARTICIPATION IN SOCIAL LIFE
I. AUTHORITY

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."( Pope St. John XXIII, Pacem in Terris 46.)¹⁵ –Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

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. –CCC

1898 Every human community needs an authority to govern it.( Compare Leo XIII, Immortale Dei; Diuturnum illud.)¹⁶ The foundation of such authority lies in human nature. It is necessary for the unity of the state. Its role is to ensure as far as possible the common good of the society. –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."( Romans 13:1-2; compare  1 Peter 2:13-17.)¹⁷  --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(Compare as early as 1 Timothy 2:1-2.)¹⁸ "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:Sources Chretiennes 167,198-200.)¹⁹ –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."( Gaudium et Spes 74 § 3.)²⁰

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. –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":(Gaudium et Spes 74 § 2)²¹

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, Summa Theologiae I-II,93 3, ad 2.)²² –CCC

IN BRIEF

1918 "There is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God" (Romans 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. –CCC