427 PRIVATE PROPERTY

YOUCAT Lesson 427

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

427  Why is there no absolute right to private property?

There is no absolute right but only a relative right to private property because God created the earth and its goods for all mankind.  [2402-2406, 2452]

Soles 4 Souls volunteer  Stephanie May visits with Haiti children suffering the consequences of the devastating eathquake of 2010.  Stepanie is an early childhood teacher in Idaho who easily connected with kiddos at Goals Beyond The Net.  I am Stephanie’s proud great uncle! ….. 427

Before parts of created reality can “belong” to individuals, because they have been obtained legally, inherited, or received as gifts, these owners must know that there is no property without social obligation.  At the same time, the Church contradicts those who conclude from the social obligation associated with property that there should be no private property and that everything should belong to everybody, or to the State.  The private owner who manages, tends, and increases a plot of land in keeping with the Creator’s plan and divides the proceeds in such a way that each person gets what is his due is by all means acting according to the divine commission for creation.

“The right to private property is not absolute and unconditional.”  Pope Paul VI, Populorum Progressio

“When there is no property, there is no joy in giving, either; then no one can have the pleasure of helping his friends, the traveler, or the afflicted in their need.”  Aristotle (382-322 b.c.)

Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”-- Luke 6:38

[2402-2406, 2452]

I. THE UNIVERSAL DESTINATION AND THE PRIVATE OWNERSHIP OF GOODS

2402 In the beginning God entrusted the earth and its resources to the common stewardship of mankind to take care of them, master them by labor, and enjoy their fruits. (Compare Genesis 1:26-29.)¹⁸⁷ The goods of creation are destined for the whole human race. However, the earth is divided up among men to assure the security of their lives, endangered by poverty and threatened by violence. The appropriation of property is legitimate for guaranteeing the freedom and dignity of persons and for helping each of them to meet his basic needs and the needs of those in his charge. It should allow for a natural solidarity to develop between men. –Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

2403 The right to private property, acquired or received in a just way, does not do away with the original gift of the earth to the whole of mankind. The universal destination of goods remains primordial, even if the promotion of the common good requires respect for the right to private property and its exercise. --CCC

2404 "In his use of things man should regard the external goods he legitimately owns not merely as exclusive to himself but common to others also, in the sense that they can benefit others as well as himself." (Gaudium et Spes 69 § 1.)¹⁸⁸ The ownership of any property makes its holder a steward of Providence, with the task of making it fruitful and communicating its benefits to others, first of all his family.  --CCC

2405 Goods of production - material or immaterial - such as land, factories, practical or artistic skills, oblige their possessors to employ them in ways that will benefit the greatest number. Those who hold goods for use and consumption should use them with moderation, reserving the better part for guests, for the sick and the poor.  --CCC

2406 Political authority has the right and duty to regulate the legitimate exercise of the right to ownership for the sake of the common good. (Compare Gaudium et Spes 71 § 4; Sollicitudo Rei Socialis 42; Centesimus Annus 40; 48.)¹⁸⁹ --CCC

IN BRIEF
2452 The goods of creation are destined for the entire human race. The right to private property does not abolish the universal destination of goods.  --CCC