| 1918 "There is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God" (Rom 13:1). |
| 1919 Every human community needs an authority in order to endure and develop. |
| 1920 "The political community and public authority are based on human nature and therefore . . . belong to an order established by God" (GS 74 § 3). |
| 1921 Authority is exercised legitimately if it is committed to the common good of society. To attain this it must employ morally acceptable means. |