Evening star., 1963-04-10

those principles Whtcn we nave
outlined above. For, If a man
becomes conscious of his rights,
he must become equally aware
of his duties.
Part II
Relations between individual
and the public authorities with
In a single state,
Human society can be neither
well-ordered nor prosperous
unless it has some people in
vested with legitimate au-
thority to preserve its inStitu-
tions and to devote themselves
as far as is necessary to work
and care for the good Of all. e.
Where the civil authority
uses as its only or its chief
means either threats and fear
Of punishment or promises Of
rewards, it cannot effectively
move men to promote the COM
mon good of all. Even II it
did so move them, this would
be altogether opposed to their
dignity as men, endowed rea-
son and free will, AS authority
is chiefly concentrated with
moral force. it follows that civil
authority must appeal pri-
marily to the conscience Of
individual citizens, that is, to
each ones duty to collaborate
readily for the common good
of all. Since by nature all men
are equal in human dignity,
it follows that no one may be
coerced to perform inferior
acts. That is in the power Of
God alone. Who sees and
judges the hidden designs of
mems heart.
Since the right to command
is required by the moral order
and has its source in God, 1t
follows that, If civil authorities
legislate for or allow anything
that is contrary to that order
and therefore contrary to the
will of God, neither the laws
made nor the authorization
granted can be binding on the
consciences Of the citizen since
God has more right to be
obeyed than men. Otherwise,
authority breaks down COM
pletely and results in shameful
Would Have All Share
The very nature of the CON-
mon good requires that al
members Of the political COM
munity be entitled to. share in
it, although in different ways
according to each ones tasks
merits and circumstances. Fol
this reason every civil authority
must take pains to promote the
common good of all, without
preference for any single citi'
zen or civil group. -. F,'
II any government does moi
acknowledge the rights Of mar
or violates them, it not only
fails in its duty, but it'
orders completely lack juridica
force. ..
The common good requires
that civil authorities maintain
a careful balance between CO.
ordinating and protecting tht
rights OF the citizens, on thu
one hand, and promoting them
on the other. It should no
happen that certain individual,
or social groups derive specia
advantage from the fact tina
their rights have : received
preferential protection. =.
Dignity Stressed
It is keeping with their dig
nifty as persons that humal
beings should take an activ
part In government. although
; the manner in which the,
: share in 1t will depend on tn
! level OF development Of tn
political community TO whicl
I they belong. ..
The tendencies to which "
. have referred. however. clearl
show that the men OF our tim
have become increasingly con
!. scious OF their dignity q
I human persons. This awareneS
prompts them TO claim a shar
( in the public administration
+ their country while 1t also &C
r counts for the demand ths
o their own inalienable and in
e violable rights be protected b
a law. ss