A Topic of Moral Theology

Civil authority and the duties of citizens

Authority as of divine right; love of country; obedience to civil rulers; voting.

Within this topic

Also asked about as…

civil disobedience · government · obeying the state · patriotism · unjust laws · voting (ed.)

In the index as State · Patriotism · Law · Obedience · Capital Punishment · Civil authority · Civil Society · Officials, Public · People · Punishment · Suffrage · Citizens · Killing · Offices · Polity · Power · Rousseau · Democracy · Government · Judge · Leo the Thirteenth · Prince · Religion · Aristotle

In the manuals

A Manual of Moral Theology for English-Speaking Countries

Vol. I, Bk. VI, Pt. IV, Chapter I. Duties of Children to Parents, n. 1 — CHILDREN owe their existence to their parents, and for many years, until they come to maturity, they stand in need of their constant care and direction. It is but right, therefore, that children should love, reverence, a… Read in context →

Vol. I, Bk. VI, Pt. IV, Chapter VII. Duties of Ecclesiastical and Civil Rulers and their Subjects, nn. 3 & 4 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Manual of Moral Theology (Manuale Theologiae Moralis)

Vol. I, Bk. II, Tr. II, Diss. I, Pt. IV, Section VII. On the Duties of Civil Rulers and Subjects, nn. 726 & 727 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Moral Theology: A Complete Course (McHugh & Callan)

Vol. II, Pt. II, Q. II, Art. 6. The Remaining Pote…, Piety, n. 2346 — Definition of Piety. Definition of Piety.—Piety in the strictest sense is defined as “a moral virtue that inclines one to pay to father and fatherland the duty of respect and assistance that is owed them as the authors and sustainers of our … Read in context →

Vol. II, Pt. II, Q. III, Art. 2. Duties of Members of Domestic and Civil Society, Voting, nn. 2643, 2644 & 2645 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Commentaries on the Nature of Moral Theology, on Conscience and Probabilism, on the Fourth Precept, and on the Sixth and Ninth Precepts of the Decalogue (Commentarii)

Bucceroni, Commentaries (1910), Third Commentary: On the F…, XIV. On the Obligations As Regards Civil Authority, nn. 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193 & 194 (30 passages — hover a number to read it)

Institutions of Moral Theology (Institutiones Theologiae Moralis)

Vol. I, On the Fourth Precept of t…, V. Obligations of Inferiors and Superiors, nn. 705, 706 & 707 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Cases of Conscience, Proposed by Cardinal de Lugo, by Fr. Beniamino Elbel, by Fr. Ioannes Petrus Gury and by Other Authors, and Resolved (Casus conscientiae)

57. On the Obligations of Masters, Disciples, Subjects, nn. 1, 2 & 3 (13 passages — hover a number to read it)

92. On the Provincial Prefect, on Judges, on the Mayor, nn. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 (24 passages — hover a number to read it)

Compendium of Moral Theology of Fr. John Peter Gury, S.J., with the Notes of Antonio Ballerini, S.J.

Vol. I, Treatise On the Precepts o…, On the Fourth Precept of t…, Ch. IV, Article III. On the Obedience and Reverence of Citizens toward Temporal Authority, nn. 386 & 387 (7 passages — hover a number to read it)

Synopsis of Moral and Pastoral Theology

Vol. III, Contracts, and the Obligat…, On the Obligations of Stat…, Chapter I: On the Duties of Laymen, nn. 991, 992, 993, 994, 995, 996, 997, 998 & 999 (9 passages — hover a number to read it)

A Handbook of Moral Theology (Koch–Preuss)

Vol. V, Pt. II, Ch. III, Section 1: Nature and Purpose of the State, nn. ¶1, ¶2, ¶3, ¶4, ¶5, ¶6, ¶7, ¶8 & ¶9 (9 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. V, Pt. II, Ch. III, Section 2: The Duties of Public Officials, nn. ¶1–¶24 (24 passages)

Vol. V, Pt. II, Ch. III, Section 3: The Duties of Citizens, nn. ¶1–¶30 (30 passages)

Institutiones Morales Alphonsianae

Vol. II, Pt. IV, Tr. III, Chapter I: On The Offices Of Those Who Are Over The Republic, n. ¶2283 — 2283. - Those who are over others, these Divine Wisdom itself gravely admonishes in this manner: "Give ear, you who contain multitudes, and please yourselves in the crowds of nations: because power has been given to you … Read in context →

Vol. II, Pt. IV, Tr. III, Ch. I, Article I: On The Offices Of Those In Whose Hands Is Supreme Power, nn. ¶2284 & ¶2285 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. II, Pt. IV, Tr. III, Ch. I, Article II: On The Offices Of Those In Whose Hands Is Legislative Power, nn. ¶2286, ¶2287 & ¶2288 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. II, Pt. IV, Tr. III, Ch. I, Article III: On The Offices Of Those In Whose Hands Is Executive Power, nn. ¶2289, ¶2290, ¶2291 & ¶2292 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)

Summa Theologiae Moralis

Vol. II, Special Moral Theology: On…, Treatise: On the Cardinal …, Second Part: Concerning Le…, Question Two: Concerning the Procuration of the Common Good, nn. 270 & 271 (9 passages — hover a number to read it)

Compendium of Moral Theology

Vol. I, Tr. VI, On the Fourth Precept of t…, Ch. III, Article IV. On the Obedience and Reverence of Citizens toward Temporal Authority, nn. 261 & 262 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Moral Philosophy: Ethics, Deontology and Natural Law

Pt. III, Ch. VIII, Section I. Of the Monstrosities called Leviathan and Social Contract, nn. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12 (12 passages — hover a number to read it)

Pt. III, Ch. VIII, Section II. Of the theory that Civil Power is an aggregate formed by subscription of the powers of individuals, nn. 1, 2 & 3 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Pt. III, Ch. VIII, Section III. Of the true state of Nature, which is the state of civil society; and consequently of the Divine origin of Power, nn. 1–15 (15 passages)

Pt. III, Ch. VIII, Section IV. Of the Variety of Polities, nn. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12 (12 passages — hover a number to read it)

Pt. III, Ch. VIII, Section V. Of the Divine Right of Kings and the Inalienable Sovereignty of the People, nn. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9 (9 passages — hover a number to read it)

Pt. III, Ch. VIII, Section VI. Of the Elementary and Original Polity, nn. 1, 2 & 3 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Pt. III, Ch. VIII, Section VII. Of Resistance to Civil Power, nn. ¶1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 (8 passages — hover a number to read it)

Pt. III, Ch. VIII, Section VIII. Of the Right of the sword, nn. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 (8 passages — hover a number to read it)

Pt. III, Ch. VIII, Section IX. Of War, nn. 1, 2, 3 & 4 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)

Pt. III, Ch. VIII, Section X. Of the Scope and Aim of Civil Government, nn. 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 (5 passages — hover a number to read it)

Pt. III, Ch. VIII, Section XI. Of Law and Liberty, nn. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 (6 passages — hover a number to read it)

Pt. III, Ch. VIII, Section XII. Of Liberty of Opinion, nn. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10 (10 passages — hover a number to read it)

The Catechism of the Council of Trent (The Roman Catechism)

Pt. III, The Fourth Commandment, nn. ¶34, ¶35, ¶36 & ¶37 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)

A Brief Text-Book of Moral Philosophy

Chapter III: Civil Society, nn. 221, 222, ¶461, 223, ¶463, 224, 225, ¶466, 226, 238, ¶529, 251, 252, 253, 254, ¶534, ¶535, ¶536 & ¶537 (19 passages — hover a number to read it)

Religion and Human Interests

Chapter VII: Religion and Liberty, nn. ¶46 & ¶47 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Back to Morality

Chapter XIII: Christian Patriotism, nn. ¶222, ¶223, ¶224, ¶225, ¶226, ¶227, ¶228, ¶229, ¶230, ¶231, ¶232, ¶233 & ¶234 (13 passages — hover a number to read it)

Public School Education

CHAPTER IX. The State.—Its Usurpation of the Individual Rights.—Its Incompetency to Educate, nn. ¶1–¶37 (37 passages)

CHAPTER X. The State a Robber.—Violation of Our Constitution and Common Law, nn. ¶1–¶33 (33 passages)

Tolerance

Pt. II, Second Section: Civil Tole…, Chapter I: Preliminary Definitions and General Plan of the Section, nn. ¶407–¶424, ¶426, ¶427, ¶428, ¶429 & ¶430 (23 passages — hover a number to read it)

Pt. II, Second Section: Civil Tole…, Chapter II: Civil Tolerance Down to the Sixteenth Century, nn. ¶431, ¶432, ¶433, ¶434, ¶435, ¶442, ¶447, ¶450, ¶451, ¶455, ¶465, ¶466, ¶470, ¶471, ¶473, ¶474, ¶475, ¶476, ¶477, ¶478, ¶481, ¶482, ¶487, ¶489, ¶490, ¶494, ¶495, ¶496, ¶499, ¶500, ¶503, ¶504, ¶507, ¶508, ¶513, ¶514, ¶517, ¶518, ¶519, ¶523, ¶524, ¶529, ¶532, ¶533, ¶534, ¶536, ¶537, ¶543, ¶545, ¶547, ¶549, ¶550, ¶551, ¶557, ¶558, ¶559, ¶563, ¶567, ¶570, ¶571, ¶575, ¶584, ¶585, ¶587, ¶588, ¶589, ¶593, ¶597, ¶601, ¶602, ¶603, ¶604, ¶605, ¶607, ¶608, ¶609, ¶610, ¶613, ¶614, ¶615, ¶619, ¶625, ¶627, ¶628, ¶629, ¶630, ¶631, ¶632, ¶634, ¶638, ¶642, ¶643, ¶644, ¶645, ¶648, ¶649, ¶650, ¶652, ¶653, ¶654, ¶661, ¶666, ¶667, ¶676, ¶677, ¶678, ¶681, ¶682, ¶683, ¶687, ¶688 & ¶689 (112 passages — hover a number to read it)

Pt. II, Second Section: Civil Tole…, Chapter III: Civil Tolerance From the Reformation to the French Revolution, nn. ¶690, ¶691, ¶693, ¶697, ¶705, ¶706, ¶708, ¶709, ¶711, ¶712, ¶713, ¶714, ¶717, ¶718, ¶720, ¶721, ¶722, ¶724, ¶725, ¶726, ¶729, ¶730, ¶731, ¶732, ¶733, ¶734, ¶738, ¶739, ¶743, ¶744, ¶745, ¶746, ¶751, ¶752, ¶753, ¶754, ¶755, ¶756, ¶757, ¶758, ¶759, ¶760, ¶763, ¶770, ¶776, ¶777, ¶788, ¶789, ¶798, ¶799, ¶800, ¶807, ¶808, ¶809, ¶818, ¶819, ¶825, ¶826, ¶827, ¶833, ¶834, ¶835, ¶839, ¶846, ¶847, ¶848, ¶855, ¶856, ¶857, ¶858, ¶862, ¶863, ¶864, ¶865, ¶866, ¶868, ¶869, ¶870, ¶873, ¶874, ¶875 & ¶876 (82 passages — hover a number to read it)

Pt. II, Second Section: Civil Tole…, Chapter IV: Civil Tolerance of the Present Day, nn. ¶881, ¶882, ¶883, ¶884, ¶885, ¶886, ¶889, ¶892, ¶893, ¶894, ¶895, ¶896, ¶897, ¶898, ¶899, ¶900, ¶901, ¶907, ¶908, ¶910, ¶911, ¶912, ¶913, ¶915, ¶916, ¶917, ¶918, ¶919, ¶921, ¶922, ¶925, ¶926, ¶927, ¶928, ¶931, ¶934, ¶935, ¶941, ¶945, ¶946, ¶947, ¶948, ¶949, ¶950, ¶952, ¶953, ¶954, ¶960, ¶961, ¶964, ¶965, ¶966, ¶967, ¶968, ¶970, ¶973, ¶974, ¶975, ¶977, ¶978, ¶979, ¶980, ¶981, ¶984, ¶985, ¶987, ¶988, ¶991, ¶992, ¶995, ¶996, ¶997 & ¶999 (73 passages — hover a number to read it)

Pt. II, Second Section: Civil Tole…, Chapter V: The Theory of Right Civil Tolerance, nn. ¶1000, ¶1001, ¶1002, ¶1003, ¶1004, ¶1005, ¶1006, ¶1008, ¶1009, ¶1011–¶1025, ¶1027, ¶1028, ¶1033, ¶1034, ¶1035 & ¶1036 (30 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vermeersch, Tolerance, Third Part: Corollaries an…, Introduction, nn. ¶1039, ¶1040, ¶1041 & ¶1042 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vermeersch, Tolerance, Third Part: Corollaries an…, First Section: Doctrinal Questions, nn. ¶1216, ¶1217, ¶1218, ¶1219, ¶1220, ¶1221, ¶1222, ¶1225, ¶1226, ¶1227, ¶1228, ¶1229, ¶1230, ¶1233, ¶1234, ¶1235, ¶1236, ¶1237, ¶1238, ¶1239, ¶1240, ¶1244, ¶1245, ¶1249, ¶1250, ¶1251, ¶1252, ¶1255, ¶1258, ¶1259, ¶1262, ¶1263, ¶1264, ¶1265, ¶1266, ¶1267 & ¶1269 (37 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vermeersch, Tolerance, Third Part: Corollaries an…, Second Section: Historical View, nn. ¶1270, ¶1271, ¶1272, ¶1273, ¶1274, ¶1275, ¶1276, ¶1278, ¶1279, ¶1281, ¶1286, ¶1287, ¶1288, ¶1290, ¶1291, ¶1292, ¶1295, ¶1296, ¶1299, ¶1300, ¶1301, ¶1302, ¶1303, ¶1304, ¶1305, ¶1307, ¶1308, ¶1309, ¶1314, ¶1315, ¶1316, ¶1317, ¶1318, ¶1319, ¶1321, ¶1325, ¶1326, ¶1332, ¶1333, ¶1334, ¶1339, ¶1340, ¶1341, ¶1342, ¶1343, ¶1344, ¶1345, ¶1348, ¶1349, ¶1351, ¶1352 & ¶1353 (52 passages — hover a number to read it)

Palladium Theologicum, Tome V: On the Virtues

Tr. I, Disputation II: On Unbelief, Question VI: Whether the rites of unbelievers are to be permitted, nn. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10 (10 passages — hover a number to read it)

Tr. I, Disputation II: On Unbelief, Question VII: Whether it is lawful to make agreements with unbelievers about the toleration of their rites, nn. 1–28 (28 passages)

Tr. I, Disputation II: On Unbelief, Question VIII: Whether unbaptized unbelievers can retain power over the faithful, and whether they can be deprived of it, nn. 1–26 (26 passages)

Treated under the broader heading Duties of Ecclesiastical and Civil Rulers and their Subjects — Noldin, Summa of Moral Theology · Vermeersch, Theologia Moralis · Prümmer, Manuale Theologiae Moralis · Merkelbach, Pastoral Questions — these works do not divide the matter as finely as we do here, so their treatment stands one heading up (ed.)