Articles 22 & 23

 Wrote “Common Sense” during the American Revolution.  Said, “Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.” Think about the climate he said this in.  The Church disagrees

 “The responsibility for attaining the common good, besides falling to individual persons, belongs also to the State, since the common good is the reason that the political authority exists.”  So, why do we have government? St. Paul’s letter to the Romans 13:1-2

 In Peace on Earth, Pope John XXIII says the primary reason for civil authority is the achievement of the common good.  Government does this by creating “an overall climate in which the individual can both safeguard his own rights and fulfill his duties.  This climate exists when the necessary administrative, legislative, and judicial functions serve society and its citizens.

 Sees that essential services such as “road-building, transportation, communications, drinking-water, housing, medical care, ample facilities for the practice of religion, and aids to recreation” are provided and regulated.

 Provides laws to protect human rights and to ensure the harmonious functioning of society.  Does our legislative function provide harmony at the moment?

 Ensures the laws are fairly enforced and that citizens have a legal way to correct injustices and protect their rights.

 Pope John XXIII also teaches that a state is not just responsible for its own people, but also has the responsibility to promote the common good of all people of the world.  Our concern must be broader than just our own national interest.

 Romans 13:3-7 – role of the citizens  God created us to live in societies and societies need order.  Civil authority is part of God’s plan to create this order.  Because of this, we have a duty to work with civil authority to build up society “in a spirit of truth, justice, solidarity, and freedom.” CCC2255

 Each person has a responsibility to contribute to the material and spiritual good of society in a meaningful way.  Each person has a responsibility to be involved in the political life of society – voting, staying informed, educating others, advocating for morally just laws.  Each person has a responsibility to pay taxes – provides money necessary for the work of the common good.

 The basic Christian stance is to respect and obey civil authority.  However, if our human reason and God’s Law lead us to believe a civil law or civil authority is morally wrong, we are morally obligated to resist it.  We can voice objection to the law, work to change it, organize others to protest, directly disobey it. Directly disobeying an immoral law is civil disobedience. Examples of civil disobedience?