Trumped Up Charges

 On Friday, January 20, 2017, Donald J. Trump will be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States of America, after the nastiest and most contentious election in U.S. history. He lost the popular vote, but won the Electoral College, the method used to decide the president since this nation was founded. The reaction of the left-wing was disturbing, from signs proclaiming "He's not my president," to demonstrations planned for the Inauguration. Had this happened eight years ago when Obama was sworn in, there would have been cries of "racism" against any such protesters. (For the record, Obama was not the "first black president," he is bi-racial. He was, however, the first Communist in all but name). Trump is far from perfect, but the reactions of many (including members of the Vatican II sect), are outrageous. People are claiming it's their "right" not to recognize him as president and to oppose everything he does, regardless of the merits.

 What does the One True Church teach about the duties owed by citizens to the State? That is the topic to be covered in this post.

Catholic Principles on the Authority of the State and the Duties of Citizens

 I will turn to the most eloquent teacher on such principles, His Holiness Pope Leo XIII.

1. All authority comes from God, but the person invested with authority can be designated by the people by different methods at various times. 

" It is of importance, however, to remark in this place that those who may be placed over the State may in certain cases be chosen by the will and decision of the multitude, without opposition to or impugning of the Catholic doctrine. And by this choice, in truth, the ruler is designated, but the rights of ruling are not thereby conferred. Nor is the authority delegated to him, but the person by whom it is to be exercised is determined upon."--Diuturnum # 6

"There is no question here respecting forms of government, for there is no reason why the Church should not approve of the chief power being held by one man or by more, provided only it be just, and that it tend to the common advantage. Wherefore, so long as justice be respected, the people are not hindered from choosing for themselves that form of government which suits best either their own disposition, or the institutions and customs of their ancestors."--Diuturnum # 6

2. Authority exists so that the common good (and the good of individuals) may be more easily and perfectly obtained.

"But in order that justice may be retained in government it is of the highest importance that those who rule States should understand that political power was not created for the advantage of any private individual; and that the administration of the State must be carried on to the profit of those who have been committed to their care, not to the profit of those to whom it has been committed."---Diuturnum # 16

3. Authority must be exercised with justice and in a fatherly manner for the advantage of all members of society.

"... God has always willed that there should be a ruling authority, and that they who are invested with it should reflect the divine power and providence in some measure over the human race... They, therefore, who rule should rule with evenhanded justice, not as masters, but rather as fathers, for the rule of God over man is most just, and is tempered always with a father's kindness. Government should, moreover, be administered for the well-being of the citizens, because they who govern others possess authority solely for the welfare of the State. Furthermore, the civil power must not be subservient to the advantage of any one individual or of some few persons, inasmuch as it was established for the common good of all."---Immortale Dei # 4 and 5

4. Legitimate authority must be respected and obeyed conscientiously. 

"Whence it will behoove citizens to submit themselves and to be obedient to rulers, as to God, not so much through fear of punishment as through respect for their majesty; nor for the sake of pleasing, but through conscience, as doing their duty."---Diuturnum # 13

"Both the natural and the Christian law command us to revere those who in their various grades are shown above us in the State, and to submit ourselves to their just commands."---Graves de Communi Re # 9

5. If lawful authority commands anything contrary to natural and/or Divine Law, there is a duty not to obey the command (an intrinsically unjust law like abortion).

"The one only reason which men have for not obeying is when anything is demanded of them which is openly repugnant to the natural or the divine law, for it is equally unlawful to command to do anything in which the law of nature or the will of God is violated."---Diuturnum # 15 

Conclusion

Ask yourself, "Are the protesters against Donald Trump adhering to the principles defined by Pope Leo XIII?"  Traditionalists suffered through the presidency of Barack Obama without questioning his designation by the people to rule. We prayed and fought against his disastrous policies with dignity and in the manner consistent with Church teaching. We resisted in appropriate ways when sodomite "marriage" was foisted upon the nation with the help of two of his Supreme Court nominees, and when he declared that determining the humanity of unborn children was "above his pay grade." (Good thing Lincoln didn't think determining the humanity of slaves was above his pay grade, Mr. Obama). 

 Has the Vatican II sect admonished anyone for this unprincipled behavior? Perish the thought. Traditionalists should protest outside the Modernist Vatican with signs that read, "He's not my (or anyone else's) pope."