Authority

Initial Reaction• In your notes, write down the word

“Authority” and underneath it write 5 words or phrases that first come to mind when you hear that word.

• Then list 5 authority figures that come to mind.

Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)

• CCC ¶1897: Authority allows society to be well-ordered and prosperous.– Definition of Authority: the quality that

allows persons or institutions to make laws and give orders to people and expect obedience from them.

• Do the authority figures you listed fit this definition?

CCC 1898

• “Every human community needs an authority to govern it.”– Political, economic, education, family, etc.

• It is necessary for unity. Communities cannot function without such legitimate authorities.

• What would happen to the community if one of the authorities on your list was removed?

Moral Authority and Obedience• CCC ¶1899: moral authority (determining

good and evil) is derived from God.– Morally, authorities must remember the dignity

of persons and natural law which both come from God.

• ¶1900: Obedience is a duty in which we are required “to give due honor to authority and to treat those who are charged to exercise it with respect, and, insofar as it is deserved, with gratitude and good-will.”– What is the “due honor” owed to the authority

figures in your list? What commandment would this relate to?

Legitimate Authority• ¶1903: What is legitimate authority? – Authority that seeks the common good

and uses moral means in all it does. – If not, the authority undermines itself

and breaks down. – Unjust laws are not binding in

conscience.– Do the ends justify the means?

• Example: DRT, MLK Jr. • “An unjust law is no law at all.” –St.

Augustine• What is the cross-reference?

The Church and Politics• ¶1901: Will the Church determine which

type of political system a society should have? – No, it’s up to the citizens.– **Diversity in political structures is a good

thing as long as they are promoting the common good.

– What makes an “unacceptable regime”?• What paragraph is cross-referenced?• What is the topic of ¶2242?– Civil Disobedience

• What 2 Scripture references are found in this paragraph? – Mt 22:21 and Acts 5:29

Civil Disobedience• How should civil disobedience be

done according to the block quote in ¶2242?–Within the limits of the natural law and

the Law of the Gospel• Is armed resistance ever a legitimate

way of responding to political authority according to ¶2243?

Skits• Your skit should demonstrate: – Legitimate authority and obedience.

– And then an abuse of authority and civil disobedience.

–Make it clear who the authority is and what is done legitimately and as an abuse.

– Consider how civil disobedience should and should not be done.

Competence: Spheres of Influence• What is the Church’s competence?• ¶2245: What is the relationship of

the Church and politics?• ¶2246: Why does the Church stick its

nose in everything?– The Church is competent in areas of

morality because she is the teacher of dignity and natural law.

The Question of Questioning Authority

• Is it right to question authority? Is it wrong?

• What does it depend on? • How do you question? • Why do you question? • Do you question just for the sake of

questioning? • Do you still maintain the respect that

the authority deserves? • When do you question?

What might it cost to challenge an abuse of authority?

• Questioning the authority of your parents?

• Your teachers?• Your government?• To avoid the cost, what would you

have to simply do?– Violate your conscience

Which is more valuable? The things you might lose if you

challenge the authority or the integrity of your conscience?

Violate your conscience

Lose your lifeGo to prison

Pay fines

How do you handle frustrations when questioning authority?

• If you are in the right, how do you handle the possible frustration of the authority not listening to you?

• The frustration of the cost of questioning?

• The frustration at the lack of change?• The slow pace of change?