Printer-Friendly      Financial Assistance Requested    

AUTHORITY. -- It is the universal and perpetual teaching of the church that when the clergy, or even bishops rebel against the [ moral ] Pope, or the laws of God or the Church, it is not only the right but also the duty of the faithful to oppose them. St. Thomas Aquinas explains that bishops are not to be obeyed in all things, since sometimes the directives of bishops go against the law of God, and in such a case, "it is necessary to obey God rather than men." A bishop's order can directly oppose the Law, in which case, the subject is bound to obey the greater authority. Furthermore, a subject is not obligated to obey his superior "if he is given an order in a matter in which he is not subject." (Summa Theol. 2-2.104.5) The second Vatican Council expressly prescribes "reasoned obedience" to the legitimate ecclesiastical authority.

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS:

"Epikeia" or Equity -- ST 2,2,120,1 -- "it was not possible to lay down rules that would apply in every single case. ... if the law be applied to certain cases it will frustrate the equality of justice and be injurious to the common good, which the law has in view." "Without doubt he that transgresses the law who by adhering to the letter of the law strives to defeat the intention of the lawgiver."

Origin of Authority. p.652a -- Christian tradition has always taught that political power comes from God. ...Political power is mediately from God; immediately its form, its constitution, is determined by ***men who as free persons may never owe "blind" obedience to any human authority. In constituting political authority, men must order its competencies, form, etc., to the common good, which is the only source of the legitimacy of political authority and of all its acts.

VENGEANCE p.600a -- For those in a position of authority the infliction of penalties upon violators of the law is therefore a strict duty in justice. Under ordinary circumstances private individuals are not obliged to take a personal part in securing the punishment of the guilty. Indeed, where personal injuries are concerned the Christian is counseled to pardon wrongs without seeking vengeance (Rom 12.18-20), although ***in some cases personal injuries are grievously dishonoring to God, or are damaging to the Church or to the civil community, and in these circumstances an individual can be under strict obligation to take action against an offender.

Necessity of Authority. p.651d -- Those in authority and in power have the right to demand obedience, the free assent of free men; but ***if authority is gravely abused by the tyrant, by arbitrary and unjust laws, there is presented the severe problem not only of passive but of active resistance.

... Naturally, once an individual or a "collegium" of elders, a "senate," was established to rule, all owed obedience to laws and commands, ***so long as these served the common good, the realization of which is the categorical duty of rulers and ruled alike.

Virtue of Justice. ***According to the common definition of St. Thomas Aquinas, the virtue of justice is "the strong and firm will to give to each his due" (ST 2a2ae, 58.1). JUSTICE p.70. (The New Catholic Encyclopedia)

      HOME                      E-MAIL: Editor

  Contributions  Requested
        for Maintaining  Site

           Books and Religious Gift Items

    Document provided as a service of:
    LIFE ENTERPRISES UNLIMITED
           (A 501-c-3 Non-Profit Organization)
    P. O. Box 850307
    Mobile, AL  36685
    U. S. A.