Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 324 – Part II.

YOUCAT Question n. 324 – Part II. On what principles does a society build?   

(Youcat answer - repeated) Every society builds on a hierarchy of values that is put into practice through justice and love.       

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 1888) It is necessary, then, to appeal to the spiritual and moral capacities of the human person and to the permanent need for his inner conversion, so as to obtain social changes that will really serve him. The acknowledged priority of the conversion of heart in no way eliminates but on the contrary imposes the obligation of bringing the appropriate remedies to institutions and living conditions when they are an inducement to sin, so that they conform to the norms of justice and advance the good rather than hinder it (Cf. LG 36).       

Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) (Youcat comment) No society can last unless it is based on a clear orientation toward values that are reflected in a just ordering of relationships and an active implementation of this justice. Thus man may never made into a means to an end of social action. Every society needs constant conversion from unjust structures. Ultimately this is accomplished only by love, the greatest social commandment. It makes it respect others. It demands justice. It makes conversion from inequitable condition possible.

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 1889) Without the help of grace, men would not know how "to discern the often narrow path between the cowardice which gives in to evil, and the violence which under the illusion of fighting evil only makes it worse" (CA 25). This is the path of charity, that is, of the love of God and of neighbor. Charity is the greatest social commandment. It respects others and their rights. It requires the practice of justice, and it alone makes us capable of it. Charity inspires a life of self-giving: "Whoever seeks to gain his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it" (Lk 17:33). (CCC 1896) Where sin has perverted the social climate, it is necessary to call for the conversion of hearts and appeal to the grace of God. Charity urges just reforms. There is no solution to the social question apart from the Gospel (cf. CA 3, 5).   

(The next question is: What is the basis for authority in society?)