The Duties of Citizens
Cardinal Burke continues exploring the Fourth Commandment, its application to our participation in civic life, how legitimate authority has its origin in God, and how it must never violate the natural moral law or the dignity of the human person.
Transcript
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The Catechism of the Catholic Church sets forth with clarity the duties of citizens, grounding them in the Fourth Commandment and in the moral order established by Almighty God. All legitimate civil authority has its origin in God, who governs all things according to his justice and truth. For this reason, no human authority may command what is contrary to the dignity of the human person or to the natural moral law written upon the heart by the Creator. Citizens, therefore, are called to honor and respect just authority as a participation in God's providential governance.
Such respect is expressed through gratitude for the blessings of one's homeland, obedience to just laws, and the faithful fulfillment of civic responsibilities, including the exercise of the right to vote, the payment of taxes, and, when required by justice and charity, the defense of one's country. These are not merely social obligations, but acts of virtue ordered to the common good. At the same time, the Catechism teaches that Christians must never obey laws that violate the moral order or attack fundamental human rights.
In such moments, we recall the words of the Apostles as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 5, verse 29. We must obey God rather than men. Fidelity to God's law safeguards authentic freedom and protects society from the destructive effects of error and injustice.
In a culture often hostile to the truth, Christian citizenship demands courage, discernment, and charity. True patriotism becomes a form of discipleship, seeking not the triumph of ideology, but the reign of justice and peace, grounded in the sovereignty of Christ the King. To whom all earthly authority is accountable.
O sacred heart of Jesus, King of heaven and earth, I place today my nation, the United States of America, into your heart, pierced for love of us. On the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, I acknowledge that true liberty is your gift, and that our lasting homeland is the eternal kingdom of God. Under the mantle of Our Lady of Guadalupe, And through the intercession of her Immaculate Heart, bless my homeland anew, purify her from sin, and guide her leaders in truth, justice, and peace.
So that she may safeguard all human life, respect the integrity of marriage and the family, and honor the practice of religion, reign in my home and in my nation, draw every heart into communion with you, that your truth, love, justice, mercy, and peace may triumph in America and throughout the world. Amen.
