Day 251: Authorities in Society (2025)

In this episode of the Catechism in a Year podcast, Father Mike Schmitz discusses the concept of authority within the context of social life, drawing from paragraphs 1897 to 1904 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. He defines authority as the quality that allows institutions to make laws and expect obedience, emphasizing its necessity for a well-ordered and prosperous society. Father Mike explains that while authority ultimately derives from God and deserves respect and obedience, it is not absolute and must be exercised for the common good, in accordance with right reason, and through morally licit means. Unjust laws, he notes, are a form of violence and not binding in conscience, highlighting the importance of checks and balances to prevent abuse of power and ensure the rule of law.