A summary of the catholic church teaching on social community, authority, government, and the common good 1897-1927

1. PARTICIPATION IN SOCIAL LIFE

2. 1 - AUTHORITY - "Human society can be neither 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”. 1897

3. By "authority" one means the quality by virtue of which persons or institutions
make laws and give orders to men and expect obedience from them.

4. Every human community needs an authority to govern it. The foundation of
such authority lies in human nature. It is necessary for the unity of the state.
Its role is to ensure as far as possible the common good of the society. 1898

5. The authority
required by the
moral order
derives from God:
"Let every person
be subject to
the governing
authorities.
For there is no
authority except
from God, and
those that exist
have been
instituted by God.
Therefore he
who resists the
authorities resists
what God has
appointed, and
those who resist
will incur
judgment.“ 1899

6. The duty of obedience
requires all 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. 1900

7. Pope St. Clement of Rome
provides the Church's most
ancient prayer for political
authorities: "Grant to them,
Lord, health, peace, concord,
and stability, so that they may
exercise without offense the
sovereignty that you have
given them. Master, heavenly
King of the ages, you give
glory, honor, and power over
the things of earth to the sons
of men. Direct, Lord, their
counsel, following what is
pleasing and acceptable in your
sight, so that by exercising with
devotion and in peace and
gentleness the power that you
have given to them, they may
find favor with you."

8. If authority belongs to the order established by God,
"the choice of the political regime and the appointment
of rulers are left to the free decision of the citizens” 1901

9. The diversity of political regimes is morally acceptable, provided they
serve the legitimate good of the communities that adopt them.

10. Regimes whose nature is
contrary to the natural
law, to the public order,
and to the fundamental
rights of persons cannot
achieve the common good
of the nations on which
they have been imposed.

11. Authority does not derive its moral legitimacy from itself. It must not
behave in a despotic manner, but must act for the common good as
a "moral force based on freedom and a sense of responsibility":
Rebjuilding Japan after tsunami

12. A human law has the character of law to the extent that it accords
with right reason, and thus derives from the eternal law. Insofar as it
falls short of right reason it is said to be an unjust law, and thus has
not so much the nature of law as of a kind of violence. 1902

13. Authority is exercised
legitimately only when it
seeks the common good
of the group concerned
and if it employs morally
licit means to attain it.
If rulers were to enact
unjust laws or take
measures contrary to
the moral order, such
arrangements would not
be binding in conscience.
In such a case, "authority
breaks down completely
and results in shameful
abuse.“ 1903

14. "It is preferable that each power be balanced by other powers
and by other spheres of responsibility which keep it within
proper bounds. This is the principle of the 'rule of law,' in
which the law is sovereign and not the arbitrary will of men”. 1904
King John signs the Magna Carta 1215

15. II. THE COMMON GOOD - In keeping with the social nature of man, the
good of each individual is necessarily related to the common good, which in
turn can be defined only in reference to the human person: - “Do not live
entirely isolated, having retreated into yourselves, as if you were already
justified, but gather instead to seek the common good together”. 1905

16. By common good is to be understood "the sum total of social conditions which allow people,
either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily."
The common good concerns the life of all. It calls for prudence from each, and even more
from those who exercise the office of authority. It consists of three essential elements: 1906

17. First, the common good presupposes respect for the person as such.
In the name of the common good, public authorities are bound to
respect the fundamental and inalienable rights of the human person.
Society should permit each of its members to fulfill his vocation 1907

18. In particular, the common good resides in the conditions
for the exercise of the natural freedoms indispensable for the
development of the human vocation, such as "the right to act
according to a sound norm of conscience and to safeguard . . .
privacy, and rightful freedom also in matters of religion."

19. Second, the common good requires the social well-being and development of the group itself.
Development is the epitome of all social duties. Certainly, it is the proper function of authority to
arbitrate, in the name of the common good, between various particular interests; but it should
make accessible to each what is needed to lead a truly human life: food, clothing, health, work,
education and culture, suitable information, the right to establish a family, and so on. 1908

20. Finally, the common good requires peace, that is, the stability and
security of a just order. It presupposes that authority should ensure by
morally acceptable means the security of society and its members. It is
the basis of the right to legitimate personal and collective defense. 1909

21. Each human community possesses a common good which permits it to be
recognized as such; it is in the political community that its most complete
realization is found. It is the role of the state to defend and promote the
common good of civil society, its citizens, and intermediate bodies. 1910

22. Human interdependence is increasing and gradually spreading
throughout the world. The unity of the human family, embracing people
who enjoy equal natural dignity, implies a universal common good. 1911

23. This good calls for an
organization of the
community of nations able
to "provide for the different
needs of men; this will
involve the sphere of social
life to which belong
questions of food,
hygiene, education, . . .

24. and certain situations arising here and there, as for example
. . . alleviating the miseries of refugees dispersed throughout
the world, and assisting migrants and their families."

25. The common good is always oriented towards the progress of persons: "The order
of things must be subordinate to the order of persons, and not the other way around.
"This order is founded on truth, built up in justice, and animated by love. 1912

26. III. RESPONSIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION - "Participation" is the voluntary
and generous engagement of a person in social interchange. It is necessary that all
participate, each according to his position and role, in promoting the common good.
This obligation is inherent in the dignity of the human person. 1913

27. Participation is achieved first of all by taking charge of the areas
for which one assumes personal responsibility: by the care taken
for the education of his family, by conscientious work, and so
forth, man participates in the good of others and of society. 1914

28. As far as possible citizens should take an active part in public life.
The manner of this participation may vary from one country or
culture to another. "One must pay tribute to those nations whose
systems permit the largest possible number of the citizens to
take part in public life in a climate of genuine freedom."1915

29. As with any ethical obligation, the participation of all in realizing the common good calls for a
continually renewed conversion of the social partners. Fraud and other subterfuges, by which some
people evade the constraints of the law and the prescriptions of societal obligation, must be firmly
condemned because they are incompatible with the requirements of justice. Much care should
be taken to promote institutions that improve the conditions of human life 1916

30. It is incumbent on those who exercise authority to strengthen the values that inspire
the confidence of the members of the group and encourage them to put themselves
at the service of others. Participation begins with education and culture. "One is
entitled to think that the future of humanity is in the hands of those who are capable
of providing the generations to come with reasons for life and optimism”. 1917

31. LIST OF PRESENTATIONS IN ENGLISH
Revised 13-3-2022
Advent and Christmas – time of hope and peace
All Souls Day
Amoris Laetitia – ch 1 – In the Light of the Word
Amoris Laetitia – ch 2 – The Experiences and Challenges of Families
Amoris Laetitia – ch 3 - Looking to Jesus, the Vocation of the Family
Amoris Laetitia – ch 4 - Love in Marriage
Amoris Laetitia – ch 5 – Love made Fruitfuol
Amoris Laetitia – ch 6 – Some Pastoral Perspectives
Amoris Laetitia – ch 7 – Towards a better education of children
Amoris Laetitia – ch 8 – Accompanying, discerning and integrating weaknwss
Amoris Laetitia – ch 9 – The Spirituality of Marriage and the Family
Beloved Amazon 1ª – A Social Dream
Beloved Amazon 2 - A Cultural Dream
Beloved Amazon 3 – An Ecological Dream
Beloved Amazon 4 - An Ecclesiastical Dream
Carnival
Conscience
Christ is Alive
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 1 – Church and Family today
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 2 - God’s plan for the family
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 3 – 1 – family as a Community
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 3 – 2 – serving life and education
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 3 – 3 – mission of the family in society
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 3 – 4 - Family in the Church
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 4 Pastoral familiar
Football in Spain
Freedom
Haurietis aquas – devotion to the Sacred Heart by Pius XII
Holidays and Holy Days
Holy Spirit
Holy Week – drawings for children
Holy Week – glmjpses of the last hours of JC
Human Community
Inauguration of President Donald Trump
Juno explores Jupiter
Laudato si 1 – care for the common home
Laudato si 2 – Gospel of creation
Laudato si 3 – Human roots of the ecological crisis
Laudato si 4 – integral ecology
Laudato si 5 – lines of approach and action
Laudato si 6 – Education y Ecological Spirituality
Life in Christ
Love and Marriage 12,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Lumen Fidei – ch 1,2,3,4
Martyrs of North America and Canada
Medjugore Pilgrimage
Misericordiae Vultus in English
Mother Teresa of Calcuta – Saint
Passions
Pope Franciss in Thailand
Pope Francis in Japan
Pope Francis in Sweden
Pope Francis in Hungary, Slovaquia
Pope Francis in America
Pope Francis in the WYD in Poland 2016
Passions
Querida Amazonia
Resurrection of Jesus Christ –according to the Gospels
Russian Revolution and Communismo 3 civil war 1918.1921
Russian Revolution and Communism 1
Russian Revolution and Communismo 2
Saint Agatha, virgin and martyr
Saint Albert the Great
Saint Anthony of Padua
Saint Francis de Sales
Saint Francis of Assisi
Saint Ignatius of Loyola
Saint James, apostle
Saint John N. Neumann, bishop of Philadelphia
Saint Joseph
Saint Maria Goretti
Saint Martin of Tours
Saint Maximilian Kolbe
Saint Mother Theresa of Calcutta
Saint Jean Baptiste MarieaVianney, Curé of Ars
Saint John N. Neumann, bishop of Philadelphia
Saint John of the Cross
Saint Patrick and Ireland
Saints Zachary and Elizabeth, parents of John Baptis
Signs of hope
Sunday – day of the Lord
Thanksgiving – History and Customs
The Body, the cult – (Eucharist)
Valentine
Vocation to Beatitude
Vocation – mconnor@legionaries.org
Way of the Cross – drawings for children
For commentaries – email – mflynn@legionaries.org
Fb – Martin M Flynn
Donations to - BANCO - 03069 INTESA SANPAOLO SPA
Name – EUR-CA-ASTI
IBAN – IT61Q0306909606100000139493

32. LISTA DE PRESENTACIONES EN ESPAÑOL
Revisado 13-3-2022
Abuelos
Adviento y Navidad, tiempo de esperanza
Amor y Matrimonio 1 - 9
Amoris Laetitia – ch 1 – A la luz de la Palabre
Amoris Laetitia – ch 2 – Realidad y Desafíos de las Familias
Amoris Laetitia – ch 3 La mirada puesta en Jesús: Vocación de la Familia
Amoris Laetitia – ch 4 - El Amor en el Matrimonio
Amoris Laetitia – ch 5 – Amor que se vuelve fecundo
Amoris Laetitia – ch 6 – Algunas Perspectivas Pastorales
Amoris Laetitia – ch 7 – Fortalecer la educacion de los hijos
Amoris Laetitia – ch 8 – Acompañar, discernir e integrar la fragilidad
Amoris Laetitia – ch 9 – Espiritualidad Matrimonial y Familiar
Carnaval
Conciencia
Cristo Vive
Dia de todos los difuntos
Domingo – día del Señor
El camino de la cruz de JC en dibujos para niños
El Cuerpo, el culto – (eucarisía)
Espíritu Santo
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 1 – iglesia y familia hoy
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 2 - el plan de Dios para la familia
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 3 – 1 – familia como comunidad
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 3 – 2 – servicio a la vida y educación
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 3 – 3 – misión de la familia en la sociedad
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 3 – 4 - participación de la familia en la iglesia
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 4 Pastoral familiar
Fátima – Historia de las Apariciones de la Virgen
Feria de Sevilla
Haurietis aquas – el culto al Sagrado Corazón
Hermandades y cofradías
Hispanidad
La Comunidad Humana
La Vida en Cristo
Laudato si 1 – cuidado del hogar común
Laudato si 2 – evangelio de creación
Laudato si 3 – La raíz de la crisis ecológica
Laudato si 4 – ecología integral
Laudato si 5 – líneas de acción
Laudato si 6 – Educación y Espiritualidad Ecológica
Libertad
Lumen Fidei – cap 1,2,3,4
Madre Teresa de Calcuta – Santa
María y la Biblia
Martires de Nor America y Canada
Medjugore peregrinación
Misericordiae Vultus en Español
Pasiones
Papa Francisco en Bulgaria
Papa Francisco en Rumania
Papa Francisco en Marruecos
Papa Francisco en México
Papa Francisco – mensaje para la Jornada Mundial Juventud 2016
Papa Francisco – visita a Chile
Papa Francisco – visita a Perú
Papa Francisco en Colombia 1 + 2
Papa Francisco en Cuba
Papa Francisco en Fátima
Papa Francisco en la JMJ 2016 – Polonia
Papa Francisco en Hugaría e Eslovaquia
Queridas Amazoznia 1,2,3,4
Resurrección de Jesucristo – según los Evangelios
Revolución Rusa y Comunismo 1, 2, 3
Santa Agata, virgen y martir
San Alberto Magno
San Antonio de Padua
San Francisco de Asis 1,2,3,4
San Francisco de Sales
Santa Maria Goretti
San Ignacio de Loyola
San José, obrero, marido, padre
San Juan Ma Vianney, Curé de’Ars
San Juan de la Cruz
San Juan N. Neumann, obispo de Philadelphia
San Martin de Tours
San Maximiliano Kolbe
Santa Teresa de Calcuta
San Padre Pio de Pietralcina
San Patricio e Irlanda
Santiago Apóstol
Santos Zacarias e Isabel, padres de Juan Bautista
Semana santa – Vistas de las últimas horas de JC
Vacaciones Cristianas
Valentín
Vida en Cristo
Virgen de Guadalupe
Virtud
Vocación a la bienaventuranza
Vocación – www.vocación.org
Vocación a evangelizar
Para comentarios – email – mflynn@lcegionaries.org
fb – martin m. flynn
Donations to - BANCO - 03069 INTESA SANPAOLO SPA
Name – EUR-CA-ASTI. IBAN – IT61Q0306909606100000139493