"Justice" The Moral Teaching of the Catholic Church

“Justice” The Moral Teaching of the Catholic Church

“Justice is the moral virtue that consists in the constant and firm will to give their due to God and neighbor. Justice toward God is called the “virtue of religion”  Justice toward men disposes one to respect the rights of each and to establish in human relationships the harmony that promotes equity with regard to persons and to the common good.  The just man, often mentioned in the Sacred Scriptures, is distinguished by habitual right thinking and the uprightness of his conduct toward his neighbor.  You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.  Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.”  (CCC 1807).

Not too many years ago, we were taught that living a righteous life was very necessary and from its premise justice would be found to protect the disenfranchised or poor persons in our world. 

Something of a disguised nature has entered our society and one must try to discern the meaning of justice as many persons and their liberal counterparts have successfully turned the rights of too many to a new way of understanding the word righteousness.

Righteousness is the ability to make good moral decisions, standing up for the rights of others, especially those whose faith is being attacked, and spreading sound teaching on Roman Catholic issues that were taught by Jesus and are currently promoted by the Holy Spirit.  If anyone wants to refresh their minds on these dictates, open the Sacred Scriptures and read the truth that has never waned.  They are as valid now as they were when written almost 2,000 years ago.

However, it appears that closing our eyes or covering our ears to the words written or spoken is easier that adhering to prophecies still being promoted, and is becoming the new-age philosophy.  Wrong lies, perpetrated by the Devil are very present, and in the most subtle manner he makes the bad choices appear as new teaching of the Church.  We may be led by inaccurate signs that allow our once sound beliefs to be subjugated.      

It seems that catechetical dictates have been blinded by what the Church calls “Cafeteria Catholic” choices.  The choices indicate, to some, that instead of accepting certain teachings of the Church, it’s ok to sidestep an interference that otherwise strangles their comfort zone.  Abortion on demand is one.  Rejecting the needs of persons in dire straits is another.  Bad enough that dismissing these guidelines found with Moral Virtue, our decision to dismiss these requirements change the integrity of our once-held beliefs.  The plight of so many who are weak in their faith will be compromised and pulled away from sound Catholic Teaching.

All requirements in the CCC are more than suggestions; they are dogmatic in their essence and we are to adhere to the Church’s Teaching.  

“The Church’s Magisterium exercises the authority it holds from Christ to the fullest extent when it defines dogmas, that is when it proposes truths contained in divine Revelation or having a necessary connection with them, in a form obliging the Christian people to an irrevocable adherence of faith.”

(CCC 88 - The dogmas of the faith).  

“The mutual connections between dogmas and their coherence can be found in the whole of the Revelation of the mystery of Christ.  In Catholic doctrine there exists an order of hierarchy of truths, since they vary in their relation to the foundation of the Christian faith.”  (CCC 90 - The dogmas of the faith).

Ralph B. Hathaway, Spring 2021