The Popes and Democracy - PART II. Specific Concepts 14. The Source of Authority

That the concept of popular sovereignty was spread by philosophers who had lost their Christian faith is an important point which should not be overlooked. God is the only true Sovereign of the Universe. As such, He is the only source of authority. And Christ, the Son of God, the King of Kings, was the only person empowered to delegate it. He delegated it to the Bishops. From the Bishops, authority flowed into the Kings through the coronation ceremonies and the anointing, then to the temporal rulers appointed by the Kings. Moses too, received authority directly from God and passed it onto lesser rulers who were designated by the people. But when the authority of God is rejected, and the Kingship of Christ no longer recognised, the source of authority has to be sought elsewhere. The 18th century philosophers placed it in man, and this new concept, i.e. popular sovereignty, is the basis of Modern Democracy. It is a concept wholly contrary to Christian doctrine: "The Sillon (the 1910 Christian Democrats) primarily places public authority in the people, from whom it then flows into the government in such a manner, however, that it continues to reside in the people." But Leo XIII absolutely condemned this doctrine in his Encyclical 'Diuturnum illud' on political government, in which he said: "Modern writers in great numbers, following in the footsteps of those who called themselves philosophers in the last century, declare that all power comes from the people; that consequently those who exercise power in society do not exercise it from their own authority, but from an authority delegated to them by the people and on the condition that it can be revoked by the will of the people from whom they hold it. Quite contrary is the sentiment of Catholics who hold that the right of governing derives from God as its natural and necessary principle." Admittedly, the Sillon holds that authority - which it first places in the people - descends from God, but in such a way 'as to return from below upwards, whilst in the organisation of the Church, power descends from above downwards.' But besides it being abnormal for the delegation of power to ascend since it is in its nature to descend, Leo XIII refuted in advance this attempt to reconcile Catholic doctrine with the error of philosophism. For, he continues: "It is necessary to remark here that those who preside over the government of public affairs may indeed in certain cases, be chosen by the will and judgment of the multitude without repugnance or opposition to Catholic doctrine. But while this choice marks out the ruler, it does not confer upon him the authority to govern; it does not delegate the power, it designates the person who will be invested with it. Moreover, if the people retains the power, what becomes of authority? A shadow, a myth; there is no more law properly so called, no more obedience." (St. Pius X, "Our Apostolic Mandate, August 25, 1910) (The emphasis is mine). To sum up this excerpt: 1) Authority comes from God alone. 2) Authority does not reside in the community. 3) Authority (therefore) does not come from the community. 4) (More specifically), the authority of the government does not come from the community. 5) Authority does not (even) flow from God into the Community. 6) Authority (therefore) cannot flow from the community into the government. 7) The government may, in some cases, be chosen by the community. 8) But this choice does not confer authority upon the government. 9) It merely designates those who will be invested with it. 10) The community cannot retain authority (assuming that it had it in the first place). 11) Any contrary claims are absolutely condemned, and constitute an attempt to reconcile Catholic doctrine with the error of philosophism. This may come as a blow to many sincere Christian Democrats who have been influenced by modern ideas; yet, the doctrine of the Church as explained by St. Pius X and Leo XIII leaves no room for doubt or specious interpretation. Besides, it is confirmed by other Popes as well: "It is trampling upon the most certain principles of reason, (to) dare cry out together that the will of the people, manifested by what they call public opinion, or in any other way, constitutes the supreme law." (Pius IX. "Quanta cura") "In political and economic matters, the laws ... are not determined by the deceptive wishes of the multitude, but by truth and justice; the authority of rulers is vested with a sacredness more than human."

(Leo XIII. "Immortale Dei") "The life of the nations is now disintegrating through a blind cult for the force of numbers. Every citizen is now a voter, but ... as such, he is only a unit of a number making up the majority. His position, his place in the family or in the professions are not taken into account." (Pius XII - Message of 6th Apr. 1951) Majority rule results in sociocracy, wherein Society, seen as a physical organism, has precedence over human persons. Modern democracy leads to it, because it places authority in the masses.