Human society can neither be 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. By authority one means the normal right, by virtue of which persons or institutions make laws and give orders and expect obedience to them
The authority required by the moral order derives from God. Let every person be subject to governing authorities for there is no authority except from God. The duty of obedience requires all to give due honor to authority and to treat holders of authority with respect, and, insofar as it is deserved, with gratitude and good will.
Equality and differences among people
Every form of social or cultural discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, color, language, or religion is incompatible with God’s design. All people created in the image of the God and with spiritual and immortal souls have been redeemed by the sacrifice of Christ. All are called to the same happiness of Heaven. All are equal in the sight of God.
When we come into the world we need the help of our parents and others. We have differences due to age, physical abilities, intellectual aptitudes, possessions, and wealth. We differ widely in our talents.
These differences belong to God’s plan: Who wills that each receive what he needs from others, and that those endowed with particular talents share the benefit with those who need them. These differences encourage and often oblige persons to practice generosity, kindness, and sharing of goods. They foster the mutual enrichment of cultures.
There exist also sinful inequalities that affect millions of men and women. They are in open contradiction of the Gospel. The equal dignity of all persons demands that we strive for more fair and humane conditions for all. Excessive economic and social disparities between individuals and peoples of the one human race are a source of scandal. Such scandals affront human dignity and stands in the way of social and international peace.
Human Solidarity
The principle of solidarity is a direct demand of human and Christian brotherhood. Solidarity is manifested in the first place by the fair distribution of goods and fair pay for work. We need to fulfill our human vocation in society. To achieve this we must have due respect for a just hierarchy of values.
Socioeconomic problems can be solved with the help of solidarity. Solidarity among the poor and solidarity between rich and poor: There should be solidarity among workers and between employers and employees. International solidarity is a moral priority and world peace depends on it.
Human society requires not only what is necessary for material well being but also what is for the good of the mind and the spirit. In society we are able to share our knowledge, exercise our rights and fulfill our obligations.
Society should help its members to seek and grasp genuine spiritual values. Together we should share our pleasure in appreciation of the beautiful things of nature and the best of our cultural heritage. We should be grateful for and honor the spiritual achievements of others and such achievements can give aim and scope to whatever has an influence on culture-al, economic and social values
And so throughout the centuries the Lord’s saying has been verified: “Seek first his kingship over you, his way of holiness, and all these things will be given to you besides.”
Second Vatican Council and Social Justice
Catholics should feel themselves obliged to promote the true common good, and thus to make the weight of their opinion felt, so that civil authority may act with justice, and laws may conform to the moral precepts and the common good. Let the laity, by their combined efforts, remedy any institutions and conditions of the world which are customarily an inducement to sin, so that all such things may conform to the norms of justice and favor the practice of virtue rather than hinder it.
