It may surprise you to learn that Catholic moral teaching does not assert that civil governments must or should be democracies. Recall that over the course of history, the Catholic Faith has dwelt in many different kinds of political and economic systems. That is still the case today as the Church pursues its mission across the globe. With all of these varied settings and experiences, Catholic moral teaching is not concerned so much for systems as for persons.
In the Lord’s own time, the government was highly unjust and yet Jesus did not call for any kind of political revolution nor did He suggest some new economic philosophy. He proclaimed God’s sovereignty: “The kingdom of God has drawn near!” (Mark 1:15) Jesus’ ministry was about overturning hearts and summoning His disciples to radical compassion and solidarity. That call found its mark in the life of the early Church which engaged in the care of the sick, the elderly and the poor.
While Catholic moral teaching does not demand one system over another, it does exhort the faithful, the wider society, and political and economic leaders to recognize and protect the dignity of persons. It summons all to work for a society where people thrive in all the dimensions of what it means to be human. Catholic teaching warns against exploitation, oppression, and violence and asks those with authority to exercise that authority for the sake of the common good.
The U.S. Constitution establishes a democratic republic where leaders are elected. It provides for such elected authority in a context of defined rights and defined limits to government authority. The system is characterized by a principle called “the rule of law,” the conviction that all in society, including rulers, are subject to the same law – equal under the law. If you want to appreciate how important this principle is to democratic leadership, look to the tragic example of Venezuela where elected officials grow rich as the nation descends into chaos. We might also consider the less chaotic example of oppression in Communist China where party leaders enjoy rights and privileges denied to ordinary people.
The rule of law is not an explicit part of Catholic moral teaching. Nonetheless, this principle dovetails nicely with the Catholic moral concern for the dignity of persons and for the common good. For human beings to live and thrive in dignity, they need a society where they need not fear violence and coercion or the greed of corrupt officials. St. Paul who ever reminds us of the sovereignty of God also counsels us to pray for “all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity” (1 Timothy 2:2).
September 29 is the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, the patron of police officers and all those who protect the vulnerable. This week, I will also have the blessing of celebrating the “Red Mass” (A Mass invoking the Holy Spirit) for Judges, attorneys, court officers, and all those who serve and uphold the law. We pray for these men and women who exercise authority over us. We ask God to give them wisdom and compassion in their public service and to protect them from the physical and spiritual dangers inherent in their calling. I hope we all take time to express our gratitude for their devotion to their work and their critical role in upholding justice, defending the innocent, and providing for the common good.
