My dear Parishioners,
Peace! There are eleven (11) “In Brief” articles in the Catechism of the Catholic Church addressing the Fourth Commandment of the Decalogue, ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ The following is a reflection on CCC 2256.
The Fourth Commandment, “Honor your father and your mother” besides the nuclear family (mommy, daddy, babies) includes the family of society. Again, the Catechism addresses the family of society as a part of the Fourth Commandment.
The Catechism here draws from both Saint Augustine of Hippo and Saint Thomas Aquinas (De Libero Arbitrio I, 5; Summa Theologiae I-II Q. 96, A. 4 respectively), to the effect that “a law that is not just, seems to be no law at all.” So, precepts contrary to the exigencies of the moral order are not to be followed. Human slavery, segregation, abortion on demand… and the like have all been “legal” according to various legislative bodies, but are not in accord with reason or justice and so should have no standing. Imagine an officer of the Waffen SS of the National Socialist Workers Party in Germany (1920–1945) asking your children “Have your parents spoken against the Fuhrer?” The response to this question would determine the fate of the family. Such questioning and the authority of the SS “legal” but nevertheless circumvented the requirements of justice.
The family of society is made up of citizens. Citizens have both rights and responsibilities. Among the obligations incumbent upon citizens is maintenance of the common good. Moral living is a part of the common good, not only for each person but for society as a whole. When laws are proposed or passed which disregard truth, goodness and justice, as followers of Jesus Christ we are to do all in our power to change such “laws.” We are bound in conscience to not follow such “laws.” Our conscience is well formed in light of the Cross, the Commandments of God, the sure and certain teaching of the Church and examples and teachings of the Saints.
Citizens are obliged in conscience to follow the precepts and prescriptions of civil authorities when these conform or at least do not conflict with a well formed conscience. To pay taxes on 15 April (or quarterly) is such a precept. When tax dollars are used for immoral purpose(s) the requirement to pay taxes becomes weaker.
The Catechism, following Saint Thomas, cites Sacred Scripture when considering just and unjust laws: “It is better to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). This scene from the earliest days of the Church presents Saint Peter as spokesman for the Apostles in the face of the leaders who wanted to silence the nascent Church from proclaiming the Holy Name of Jesus and salvation in His blood to all of Jerusalem. Faced with threats of further imprisonment and bodily harm the Apostles maintained their fidelity to the moral order and the One who establishes and judges the moral order, namely God.
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr