Question:
Answer:
Based on the teachings of St. Paul (Rom. 13:1-7) the Church instructs Christians to obey all legitimate laws of the governing authorities. The only time the Church considers a law to be illegitimate would be if it violates the moral law (Catechism, 2242). Outside of a case of immoral laws the Church teaches that Christians are to obey the law even if they disagree with it.
In the modern world with great complex economies the line between immoral and prudential judgment can often seem blurred or gray. No law or policy can treat every societal issue and often have unintended consequences which may or may not make “the cure worse than the disease.” As such the Church does recognize that civil disobedience can be a legitimate means of effecting change.
When it comes to insurrection that includes violence the Church has a very narrow teaching as to when it can be considered legitimate:
Armed resistance to oppression by political authority is not legitimate, unless all the following conditions are met: 1) there is certain, grave, and prolonged violation of fundamental rights; 2) all other means of redress have been exhausted; 3) such resistance will not provoke worse disorders; 4) there is well-founded hope of success; and 5) it is impossible reasonably to foresee any better solution. (Catechism, 2243).
The phrase “defending my liberty” is a rather vague statement. Liberty to do what? Such language can refer to such trivial things as speed limits or such grave issues as freedom of religion.
It also not enough for the law to be “wrong.” There are many laws considered silly or stupid by large portions of the population, but that alone does not permit them to ignore the law or seek to change the law outside of normal peaceful means.
There must be a grave moral issue at stake and there must be no other means to rectify the situation before such resistance can be deemed moral.