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PAGE 2—The Southern Cross, May 4, 1963
TEXT OF ENCYCLICAL PACEM IN TERRIS
The following is the second in a series
of installments of the text of the ency
clical Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth)
of His Holiness Pope John XXIII.
Part II
Relations Between Individuals
And The Public Authorities
Within A Single State
Necessity
and Divine
" Origin of
Authority
Human society can be neither
well ordered nor prosperous
unless it has some people in
vested with legitimate author
ity to preserve its institutions
and to devote themselves as far
as is necessary to work and
care for the good of all.
These, however, derive
their authority from God, as
St. Paul teaches in the words;
' ‘There exists no authority ex
cept from God/ ’ These words of
St. Paul are explained thus by
St. John Chrysostom:
“What are you saying? Is
every ruler appointed by God?
I do not say that, he replies,
for I am not dealing now with
individual rulers but with au
thority itself. What I say is,
that it is the divine wisdom and
not mere chance, that has or
dained that there should be gov
ernment, that some should com
mand and others obey.”
Moreover, since God made
men social by nature, and since
no society "can hold together
unless some one be over all, di
recting all to strive earnestly
for the common good, every
civilized community must have
a ruling authority and this au
thority, no less than society
itself, has its source in nature,
has, consequently, God for its
author.”
But authority is not to be
thought of as a force lacking
all control. Indeed, since it is
the power to ..command accord
ing to right reason, authority
must derive its obligatory force
from the moral order, which in
turn has God for its first source
and final end. Wherefore Our
predecessor of happy memory,
Pius XII, said.
“That same absolute order of
beings and their ends which pre
sents man as an autonomous
person, that is, as the subject
of inviolable duties and rights,
and as at once the basis of
society and the purpose for
which it exists, also includes
the State as a necessary so
ciety invested with the authority
without which it could not come
into being or live . . . And
since this absolute order—^as
we learn from sound reason,
especially from the Christian
Faith—can have no origin save
in a personal God who is our
Creator, it follows that the dig
nity of the State’s authority is
due to its sharing to some ex
tent in the authority of God Him
self.”
Where the civil authority uses
as its only or its cheif means
either threats and fear of pun
ishment and promises of re
wards, it cannot effectively
MISS GEORGIA MOORE, a
Junior at Aquinas High School,
Augusta, has been chosen to
represent the Louis Battey
Post Auxiliary, at the eigh
teenth Annual Georgia Girls
State which will open on Sun
day, June 16th. It will be held
on the campus of the Georgia
Military Academy, College
Park, Georgia. Six days of
companionship, recreation,
enjoyment and education will
be given. Miss Moore was
chosen for her physical and
mental ability, cooperative
and dependable qualities and
her potential for developing
further qualities of leader
ship.
move men to promote the com
mon good of all. Even if it
did so move them, this would
be altogether opposed to their
dignity as men endowed with
reason and free will,
Since authority is chiefly con
cerned with moral force, it
follows that civil authority
must appeal primarily to the
conscience of individual citi
zens, that is to each one’s duty
to collaborate readily for the
common good of all. Sine e by
nature all men are equal in hu
man dignity, it follows that no
one may be coerced to perform
interior acts. That is in the pow
er of God alone, who sees and
judges the hidden designs of
men’s hearts. Those, therefore
who have authority in the State
ma y oblige men in conscience
only if their authority is intrin
sically related with the author
ity of God and shares in it,
By this principle the dignity
of the citizens is protected.
When, in fact, men obey their
rulers, it is not at all as men that
they obey them. Through their
obedience it is God, the provi
dent Creator of all things,
whom they reverence , since He
has decreed that men’s dealings
with one another should be re
gulated by an order which he
Himself has established, More
over, in showing this due rev
erence to God, men not only
do not debase themselves but
rather perfect and ennoble
themselves. For "to serve God
is to rule.”
Since the right to command is
required by the moral order and
has its source in God, it fol
lows that if civil authorities leg
islate for or allow anything that
is contrary to that order
and therefore to the will of
God, neither the laws made nor
the authorizations granted
can be binding on the conscien
ces of the citizens, since "we
must obey God rather than
men.”
Otherwise, authority breaks
down completely and results in
shameful abuse. As St. Thomas
Aquinas teaches: “Human law
has the true nature of law only
in so far as it corresponds to
right reason, and therefore is
derived from the eternal law.
In so far as it falls short of
right reason, a law is said to
be a wicked law; and so, lack
ing the true nature of law, it
is rather a kind of violence.”
It must not be concluded,
however, because authority
comes from God, that men
therefore have no right to
choose who are to rule the
state, to decide the form of
government, and to determine
both the way in which authority
is to be exercised and its lim
its. It is thus clear that the
doctrine which We have set
forth is fully consonant with
any truly democratic regime.
Attainment of the
Common Good Is the
Purpose of the
Public Authority
Individual citizens and in
termediate groups are obliged
to make their specific contri
butions to the common welfare*,
One of the chief consequences
of this is that they must bring
their own interests into har
mony with the needs of the com
munity, and must dispose of
their goods and services as
civil authorities have prescrib
ed, in accord with the norms of
Justice, in due form, and within
the limits of their competence.
This they must do by means of
formally perfect actions, the
content of which must be mor
ally good, or at least capable
of being directed towards good.
Indeed since the whole reas
on for the existence of civil
authorities is the realization of
the commond good, it is clearly
necessary that in pursuing this
objective they should respect its
essential elements, and at the
same time conform their laws
to the needs of a given histor
ical situation.
Essentials of the
Common Good
Assuredly, the ethnic charac
teristics of the various human
groups are to be respected as
constituent elements of the
common good. But these values
and characteristics by no means
exhaust the content of the com
mon good. For the common good
is intimately bound up with hu
man nature. It can never exist
fully and completely unless, its
intimate nature and realization
being what they are, the human
person is taken into account.
In the second place, the very
nature of the common good re
quires that all members of the
political community be entitled
to share in it, although in dif
ferent ways according to each
one’s tasks, merits and circum
stances. For this reason, every
civil authority must take pains
to promote the common good
of all without preference for
any single citizen or civic
group.
As our predecessor of im
mortal memory, Leo XIII, has
said: "The civil power must
not serve the advantage of any
one individual, or of some few
persons, inasmuch as it was es
tablished for the common good
of all.”'
Considerations of justice and
equity, however, can at times
demand that those involved in
civil government give more at
tention to the less fortunate
members of the -community,
since they are less able to de
fend their rights and to assert
their legitimate claims.
In this context, We judge that
attention should be called to the
fact that the common good
touches the whole man, the
needs both of his body and of
his soul. Hence it follows that
the civil authorities must
undertake to effect the common
good by ways and means that are
proper to them. That is, while
respecting the hierarchy of val
ues, they should promote si
multaneously both the material
and the spiritual welfare of the
citizens. ov
These principles are clearly
contained in the doctrine stated
in Our encyclical, "Mater Ma-
gistra,” where We emphasized
that the common good of all
"Embraces the sum total of
those conditions of social liv
ing whereby men are enabled to
achieve their own integral per
fection more fully and more
easily.
Men, however composed as
they are of bodies and immortal
souls, can never in this mortal
life succeed in satisfying all
their needs or in attaining per
fect happiness. Therefore all
efforts made to promote the
common good, far from endan
gering the eternal salvation of
men, ought rather to serve to
promote it.
Responsibilities of
the Public Authority
and Rights and Duties
of Individuals
It is agreed that in our time
the common good is chiefly
guaranteed when personal
rights and duties are maintain
ed. The chief concern of civil
authorities must therefore be
to ensure that these rights are
acknowledged, respected, coor
dinated with other rights, de
fended and promoted, so that in
this way each one may more
easily carry out his duties,
For “to safeguard the inviolable
rights of the human person, and
to facilitate the fulfilment of
his duties, should be the es
sential office of every public
authority.
This means that is any gov
ernment does not acknowledge
the rights of man or violates
them, it not only fails in its
duty, but its orders completely
lack juridical force.
Reconciliation and
Protection of Rights
and Duties of
Individuals
One of the fundamental duties
of civil authorities, therefore,
is to coordinate social relations
in such fashion that the exer
cise of one man’s rights does
not threaten others in the ex
ercise of their own rights nor
hinder them in the fulfilment of
their duties. Finally, the rights
of all should be effectively safe
guarded and, if they have been
violated, completely restored.
Duty of Promoting
the Rights of
Individuals
It is also demanded by the
common good that civil author**
ities should make earnest ef
forts to bring about a situation
in which individual citizens can
easily exercise their rights and
fulfill their duties as well. For
experience has taught us that,
unless these authorities take
suitable action with regard to
economic, political and cultur
al matters, inequalities between
citizens tend to become more
and more widespread, es
pecially in the modern world,
and as a result human rights
are rendered totally ineffective
and the fulfilment of duties
is compromised.
It is therefore necessary that
the administration give whole
hearted and careful attention to
the social as well as to the ec
onomic progress of citizens,
and to the development, in keep
ing with the development of the
productive system, of such es
sential services as the building
of roads, transportation, com
munications, water supply,
housing, public health, educa
tion, facilitation of the practice
of religion and recreational fa
cilities. It is necessary also that
governments make efforts to
see that insurance systems are
made available to the citizens so
that, in case of misfortune or
increased family responsibil
ities, no person will be without
the necessary means to main
tain a decent standard of liv
ing.
The government should make
similarly effective efforts to
see that those who are able to
work can find employment in
keeping with their aptitudes,
and that each worker receiv
es a wage in keeping with the
laws of justice and equity.
It would be equally the concern
of civil authorities to ensure
that workers be allowed their
proper responsiblity in the
work undertaken in industrial
organization, and to facili
tate the establishment of inter
mediate groups which will make
social life richer and more ef
fective. Finally, it should be
possible for all the citizens to
share as far as they are able
in their country’s cultural ad
vantages. ■ rr ,,r
Harmonious Relation
between Public Auth
ority’s Two Forms of
Intervention
The common good requires
that civil authorities maintain
a careful balance between coor
dinating and protecting the
rights of the citizens, on the one
hand, and promoting them,
on the other. It should not happen
that certain individuals or
special groups derive special
advantage from the fact that
their rights have received pre
ferential protection. Nor should
it happen that governments in
seeking to protect these rights,
become obstacles to their full
expression and free use.
“For this principle must al
ways be retained: that State
activity in the economic field,
no matter what its breadth or
depth may be, ought not to be
exercised in such a way as to
curtail an individual's freedom
of personal initiative. Rather it
should work to expand that free
dom as much as possible by the
100TH BIRTHDAY COMMUNION—One-hundred-year-old
John Joseph Sullivan received Holy Communion from Bishop
Patrick Shanley, O.C.D., on his birthday in the chapel at
Villa Maria Home for the Aged in Miami, Fla. His son,
Daniel P. Sullivan, director of the Greater Miami Crime
Commission, serves the Mass. The elder Sullivan, who
was born in County Cork, Ireland, and came to the U. S.
in 1884, once served as a construction worker on the
Washington Monument.—(NC Photos)
effective protection of the
essential personal rights of
each and every individual.
The same principle should in
spire the various steps which
governments take in order to
make it possible for citi
zens more easily to exercise
their rights and fulfill their
duties in every sector of social
life.
Structure and
Operation of the
Public Authority
It is important to determine,
once and for all, what is the
most suitable form of govern
ment, or how civil authorities
can most effectively fulfill their
respective functions, i.e., the
legislative, judicial and execu
tive functions of the State. In
determining the structure and
operation of government which a
State is to have, great weight
has to be given to the historical
background and circpinstances
of given political communities,
circumstances which will vary
at different times and in dif
ferent places.
We consider, however, that
it is in keeping with the innate
demands of human nature that
the State should take a form
which embodies the threefold
division of powers correspond
ing to the three principal func
tions of public authority. In
that type of State, not only
the official functions of gov
ernment but also the mutual
relations between citizens and
public officials are set down ac
cording to law, which in itself
affords protection to the citi
zens both in the enjoyment of
their rights and in the fulfil
ment of their duties.
If, however, this political and
juridical structure is to produce
the advantages which may be
expected of it, public officials
must strive to meet the prob
lems which arise in a way that
conforms both to the complexi
ties of the situation and the
proper exercise of their func
tion. This requires that, in
constantly changing conditions,
legislators never forget the
norms of morality or constitu
tional provisions or the objec
tive requirements of the com
mon good.
Moreover, executive author
ities must coordinate the ac
tivities of society with discre
tion, with a full knowledge of the
law and after a careful consid
eration of circumstances. And
the courts must administer jus
tice impartially and without be
ing influenced by favoritism or
pressure. The good order of
society also demands that indi
vidual citizens and intermed
iate organizations should be
effectively protected by
law whenever they have rights
to be exercised or obligations to
be fulfilled. This protection
should be granted to citizens
both in their dealings with each
other and in their relations with
government agencies.
Law and Conscience
It is unquestionable that a le
gal structure in conformity with
the moral order and corres
ponding to the level of develop
ment of the political community
is of great advantage to achieve
ment of the common good.
And yet, social life in the
modern world is so varied,
complex and dynamic that even
a juridical structure which has
been prudently and thoughtfully
established is always inade
quate for the needs of society.
It is also true that the re
lations of citizens with each
other, of citizens and inter
mediate groups with public au
thorities, and finally of the pub
lic authorities with one another
are often so complex and so
sensitive that they cannot be
regulated by inflexible legal
provisions. Such a situation
therefore demands that the civil
authorities have clear ideas
about the nature and extent
of their official duties if they
wish to maintain the existing
juridical structure in its basic
elements and principles, and
at the same time meet the ex
igencies of social life, adapting
their legislation to the chang
ing social scene and solving new
problems. They must be men of
great equilibrium and integrity,
competent and courageous
enough to see at once what the
situation requires and to take
necessary action quickly and
effectively.
Citizens’
Participation in
Public Life
It is in keeping with their
dignity as persons that human
beings should take an active
part in government, although
the manner in which they share
in it will depend on the level
of development of the politi
cal community to which they
belong.
Men will find new and ex
tensive advantages in the fact
that they are allowed to parti
cipate in government. In this
situation, those who administer
the government come into fre
quent contact with the citizens,
and it is thus easier for them
to learn what is really needed
for the common good. The fact
too that ministers of govern
ment hold office only for a lim
ited time keeps them from
growing stale and allows for
their replacement in accord
ance with the demands of social
progress.
Characteristics of
the Present Day
In modern times, where there
is a question of organizing po
litical communities juridical
ly, there is observable first of.
all the tendency to write in
concise and limpid phraseol
ogy a charter of fundamental
human rights, which is, as of
ten as not, inserted in State
constitutions or is an integral
part of them.
Secondly, there is also an in
clination to determine, by the
compilation of a document call
ed the constitution, the pro
cedures through which the gov
erning powers are to be creat
ed, along with their mutual re
lations, the spheres, of their
competence, the forms and sys
tems they are obliged to follow
in the performance of their
office.
The relations between the
government and the governed
are then set forth in terms of
rights and duties. And it
is clearly laid down that the par
amount task assigned to gov
ernment officials is that of rec
ognizing, respecting, reconcil
ing, protecting and promoting
the rights and duties of citi
zens.
It is of course impossible
to accept the theory which pro
fesses to find the original and
single source of civic rights and
duties, of the binding force of
the constitution, and of a gov
ernment’s right to command,
in the mere will of human be-
ings, individually or collective
ly.
The tendencies to which We
have referred, however, do
clearly show that the men of
our time have become increas
ingly conscious of their dig
nity as human persons. This
awareness prompts them to
claim a share in the public ad
ministration of their country,
while it also accounts for the
demand that their own inalien
able and inviolable rights be
protected by law. It also re
quires that government offi
cials be chosen in conformity
with constitutional procedures
and perform their specific func
tions within the limits of law.
Pope Gives Thanks For
Favorable Reception Of
His Encyclical On Peace
VATICAN CITY, (Radio, NC)
—His Holiness Pope John XXIII
has expressed his gratitude for
the favorable worldwide recep
tion given to his peace encycli
cal, Pacem in Terris.
The Pope said at his weekly
general audience (April 24):
“We consider it a sacred duty
to spread this peace throughout
the whole world from this cen
ter of Catholic unity. Seeing
that good Providence blessed
Our efforts is a comfort to Our
heart. The encyclical Pacem in
Terris received a favorable
echo everywhere. We say this
with a sentiment of profound
gratitude.”
In his talk on peace the Pon
tiff noted that he spoke on the
eve of the feast of St. Mark,
patron of Venice where he
served as patriarch, and that
the words “Peace be with you,
0 Mark, my evangelist” are
on the shield of Venice.
Referring to his encyclical
Pope John said;
“We have lighted a torch for
the men of Our age. Therefore
you can well imagine the joy and
emotion of Our heart in seeing
this light spreading, penetrat
ing hearts and minds grad
ually.”
Present at the audience were
50 women from 15 countries
representing the Women’s
Strike for Peace movement.
Among them were Dorothy Day,
editor of the Catholic Worker
monthly, and 32 other Ameri
cans. Also attending was Mrs.
Therese Gasgrain of the Cana
dian Voice of Women organiza
tion.
The Women’s Strike for
Peace group had earlier sent
a statement to the Pope declar
ing:
"Impelled by your inspiring
leadership and most particular
ly by your Easter encyclical,
Pacem in Terris, we have come
to show by our presence tie
measure of our support and
concern. We are all workers
for peace—Catholics, Jews,
Protestants, Orthodox, Quakers
and nonbelievers from many
countries but united in our com
mon goal.”
The group presented the Pope
with hundreds of letters ex
pressing gratitude to him for
his encyclical, including one
letter signed by 800 residents
of Los Angeles. Among the
visitors was a victim of the
atomic bombing of Hiroshima,
Youko Miriki.
The Westminster London
Boys’ Choir and the Little Sing
ers of the Wooden Cross from
Paris sang at the audience, and
the Pope received two lamps
lit at the Holy Sepulcher from
two Austrian students.
Pope Asks Prayers
For Council
VATICAN CITY, (Radio, NC)
—His Holiness Pope John XXIII
has asked the Catholics of Rome
and the world to pray for the
success of the ecumenical coun
cil during May, the month of
Our Lady.
The Pope’s appeal was sent
to Clemente Cardinal Micara,
Vicar General of Rome. But the
Pontiff added: “Our voice is
turned at the same time and
with the same confidence toward
the dioceses of the whole
world.”
Pope John said the Second
Vatican Council “was convoked
for the good of souls and is
providentially destined to have
beneficial effects on everyday
life through a more just
arrangement of institutions
and of international life in truth,
justice and love and in the free
dom of Christ. This most noble
aim, which human efforts alone
cannot achieve, depends on the
all-powerful gift of the Lord.”
The Pope asked for the pray
ers of bishops, priests, nuns,
families, youths, small child
ren “and particularly those who
suffer in body and spirit and who
offer their hidden sorrows to
the Lord and who are called
upon to offer a collaboration of
irreplaceable value for the
Mystical Body of Christ.”
