Bulletins

October 29, 2017

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Virginians go to the polls on Tuesday, November 7. Voting can be a decision of moral significance. A vote can be used to promote what is good and true; it can promote evil. Recall some of what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says about political authorities and their subjects.

CCC 2238 Those subject to authority should regard those in authority as representatives of God, who has made them stewards of his gifts: “Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution... Live as free men, yet without using your freedom as a pretext for evil; but live as servants of God” (1 Pet 2:13,16). Their loyal collaboration includes the right, and at times the duty, to voice their just criticisms of that which seems harmful to the dignity of persons and to the good of the community.

CCC 2240 Submission to authority and co-responsibility for the common good make it morally obligatory to pay taxes, to exercise the right to vote, and to defend one's country:

CCC 2246 It is a part of the Church's mission to pass moral judgments even in matters related to politics, whenever the fundamental rights of man or the salvation of souls requires it. The means, the only means, she may use are those which are in accord with the Gospel and the welfare of all men according to the diversity of times and circumstances.

CCC 2243 Armed resistance to oppression by political authority is not legitimate, unless all the following conditions are met: 1) there is certain, grave, and prolonged violation of fundamental rights; 2) all other means of redress have been exhausted; 3) such resistance will not provoke worse disorders; 4) there is well-founded hope of success; and 5) it is impossible reasonably to foresee any better solution.

It seems as though we are supposed to elect people and then consider them to be representatives of God. That sounds complicated. In some circumstances it is easy to understand. The Apostles chose candidates and then drew lots to decide whom the Holy Spirit wanted to be chosen as a replacement for Judas (Acts 1,15-26). Cardinal Electors cast ballots to decide who replaces St. Peter as Bishop of Rome but that vote cannot be misunderstood as revealing whom God wants to be His vicar but simply whom He permits to bear that burden. Remember that all authentic authority is no more than a share in the authority of God. We can love and obey imperfect representatives of God.

With regard to civil officials the Catechism mentions that we pass judgement on them and even possibly depose them even though they are representatives of God. That sounds really complicated but we need to be able to think through that for our benefit or for those who suffer under rulers who should be deposed. St. Thomas Aquinas has much to say about different forms of government and how Christians respond to unjust laws and unjust authority.

Mary, Queen of the Apostles, pray for us!
Mary, Mother of the Americas, pray for us!

Fr. Christopher J. Pollard