Leo XIII on abusive legislation

Pope Leo XIII in Au Milieu des Sollicitudes 24 (1892):

“Here is precisely the ground on which, political dissensions aside, upright men should unite as one to combat, by all lawful and honest means, these progressive abuses of legislation. The respect due to constituted power cannot prohibit this; unlimited respect and obedience cannot be yielded to all legislative measures, of no matter what kind, enacted by this same power. Let it not be forgotten that law is a precept ordained according to reason and promulgated for the good of the community by those who, for this end, have been entrusted with power. Accordingly, such points in legislation as are hostile to religion and to God should never be approved; to the contrary, it is a duty to disapprove them.”

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5 Comments

  1. Kathleen10 says:

    That makes it clear. The times are coming, even if we dodge this bullet with Obama, another is likely to arrive. If we pray, much, we may be able to elect a president in November who won’t see dismantling the Catholic church as on his to do list, and that would be a relief. This election is incredibly important, as we all know. We simply must substitute a Republican for a Democrat, I don’t even care which one anymore!
    I stand with my church, whatever comes.

  2. Laura says:

    I wonder if the Bishops that have compromised with the state already at the state level–and already accepting administering contraception to patients (to continue to receive federal funding), and have accepted near identical state laws (in New York and California) as well as organizations such as the CHA not being stripped of their Catholic status, will really hurt the Church at this point.
    It seems difficult to stand up for our ideals when they have already been compromised by many laws in many instances before. If it is a duty to disapprove of them, where are the Bishops speaking out against the laws in CA and NY? Where are the Catholics speaking out against DePaul university already paying for contraception for its employees and students?
    I don’t think there is a huge difference between the republicans and the democrats at this point…

  3. Supertradmum says:

    So, why was not the Church in America paying attention when these prophetic words, and others, warned us of the coming dangers?

  4. Amerikaner says:

    Would it be appropriate, and right, for Catholic Bishops to advise Catholics not to pay any Federal income tax until the ‘mandate,’ etc. are removed? (But also state that it is ok to pay one’s state taxes).

  5. Chris Garton-Zavesky says:

    Today we had printed copies of our bishop’s letter to the faithful, in which he insists that we may not “comply with this unjust law’.

    If your bishop is one who has stood up on the issue, however belatedly in some cases, write him a letter of honest gratitude.

    Here, in small part, is what my bishop urges:

    “First, as a community of faith we must commit ourselves to prayer and fasting that wisdom and justice may prevail, and religious liberty may be restored.”

    Pax vobiscum.

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