The priest is called “Father” and treated with reverence because of our high regard for his sacred office.įailure to recognize this authority through exterior signs weakens the office and the good order of society. When we address a judge as “Your Honor” and show him great respect, we recognize the high purpose of justice in society. Thus, the loving manners by which we honor our mothers, for example, are vastly different from the simpler manners shown to other ladies. One key way it is publicly manifested is by manners and etiquette. This implies a different treatment because there are others that are not so honored since they do not share this authority. We are commanded by God to honor our father and mother and all legitimate authority since all authority comes from God. The need to make distinctions is particularly clear in the case of offices and authority. Manners help us make these distinctions known to others. Thus, an array of different manners helps us exteriorize these distinctions that come from inequality in society. Pope Saint Pius X in his motu proprio Fin Dalla Prima states: “Human society, as established by God, is composed of unequal elements, just as the different parts of the human body are unequal to make them all equal is impossible, and would mean the destruction of human society.” That is to say, hierarchy is not fabricated but part of the natural order of society. Failure to recognize this authority through exterior signs weakens the office and the good order of society. This naturally tends to distill different manners of treatment and consideration. These inequalities of talents, abilities, and circumstances result in an ordered hierarchical society where individuals or groups have specific leadership roles and functions, just as members in a body play key roles. People are vastly different when we look at their virtue, talent, beauty, strength, family, tradition, and so many other defining characteristics. Things get complicated when you start to consider that humans are unequal in their accidents. That leads to the second problem-dealing with our accidents. Up to this point, I can well agree with my reader about this basic level of manners.
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We must respect their fundamental dignity. Everyone knows, for example, that we must not treat others rudely or brutally. There should be basic manners that are universally applicable and expected. These rights generate in turn certain universal manners of treatment that we deem humane since they are proper to our nature.Ĭlick Here if you Like Traditional Valuesįrom the perspective of the essence of our human nature, all should be treated equally. As such, we are all entitled to some fundamental rights, among them the right to life, honor, property, family and Faith. I am the first to admit that all men are equal in their essence as humans. The first is to clarify the confusion between essence and accidents in dealing with human nature. However, it now occurs to me that others might share the objection and so out of special (and unequal) consideration to them, I thought it would be good to provide an answer. Treating others differently seemed very natural to me. The e-mail surprised me since I had never really thought about such an objection. Learn All About the Prophecies of Our Lady of Good Success About Our Times Hierarchical distinctions are mere fabrications that create resentments and must be avoided. The reader took issue with these affirmations saying that all people are children of God and therefore everyone should have the right to be treated equally regardless of who they are or what they have achieved. I claimed crass egalitarianism leads to today’s uncivil society. At the same time, they allow us to show compassion and consideration toward those who are lesser or weaker.
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They call upon us to honor those who are excellent with special treatment. I had said that manners presuppose distinctions. I recently received an e-mail from someone who questioned me on a comment I made about manners.