We are not obligated to follow civil law blindly without conscience if it goes contrary to God’s law and moral order. “Citizens are not obligated in conscience to follow the prescriptions of civil authorities if their precepts are contrary to the demands of the moral order, to the fundamental rights of persons or to the teachings of the Gospel.

Unjust laws pose dramatic problems of conscience for morally upright people: when they are called to cooperate in morally evil acts they must refuse.”

We therefore must object to such laws through legitimate means which ought to be recognised if we are living in a just and democratic society which allows the citizen to participate.  This should allow us to voice our concerns in a manner that is informed and respectful, and which can influence those with authority to make and defend laws so that we have some impact on societal policies.

Further, our choice to object in this manner must not result in us experiencing any disadvantage. The Church tells us: “Besides being a moral duty, such a refusal is also a basic human right which, precisely as such, civil law itself is obliged to recognise and protect.

Those who have recourse to conscientious objection must be protected not only from legal penalties but also from any negative effects on the legal, disciplinary, financial and professional plane”.

The Church encourages us to strongly object to civil legislation which is contrary to God’s laws. Catholics worldwide have been at the centre of debate in areas such as legitimising abortion and same-sex marriages, for example.

In some countries such policies are permitted, but based on the teachings of our Church they go against God’s moral order. We therefore cannot stay quiet on such issues. “It is a grave duty of conscience not to cooperate, not even formally, in practices which, although permitted by civil legislation, are contrary to the Law of God.

Such cooperation in fact can never be justified, not by invoking respect for the freedom of others nor by appealing to the fact that it is foreseen and required by civil law. No one can escape the moral responsibility for actions taken, and all will be judged by God himself based on this responsibility (cfRom 2:6; 14:12).”

Next week we take this discussion further by looking at the right to resist and possible avenues for resisting.

Persons interested in purchasing the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church may contact the Justice Desk, Archbishop’s House at 622-6680. Also on sale at the Justice Desk is Responses to 101 Questions on Catholic Social Teaching.