Questions and Answers

1957. By whom have the existing authorities been instituted? (CCC 1918) The existing authorities have been instituted by God.
1958. Why does every human community need an authority? (CCC 1919) Every human community needs an authority so that it may endure and develop.
1959. Why do the political community and public authority belong to an order established by God? (CCC 1920) The political community and public authority belong to an order established by God, because they are based on human nature.
1960. When is authority exercised legitimately? (CCC 1921) Authority is exercised legitimately if it is committed to the common good of society.
1961. Under what condition is the diversity of political regimes legitimate? (CCC 1922) The diversity of political regimes is legitimate under the condition that they contribute to the good of the community.
1962. In which limits must political authority be exercised? (CCC 1923) Political authority must be exercised within the limits of the moral order.
1963. What is the common good? (CCC 1924) The common good is the sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfilment more completely and more easily.
1964. Of which three essential elements does the common good consist? (CCC 1925) The common good consists of:
1. respect for the person
2. social well-being and development
3. peace and security of the group and of its members.
1965. What requires the pursuit of the common good? (CCC 1926) The dignity of the human person requires the pursuit of the common good.
1966. Whose role is it to defend and promote the common good of civil society? (CCC 1927) It is the state’s role to defend and promote the common good of civil society.