Page 12 - Michael 2024 May

The virtue of justice:

to everyone what is due to them

Since the beginning of 2024, Pope Francis has person is upright, simple and straightforward. He
been addressing the theme of vices and virtues at his does not wear masks, he presents himself for what
Wednesday general audiences. In the March-April he is and he speaks the truth. The words “thank you”
2024 issue, we published his catechesis on the vice are often on his lips. He knows that no matter how
of anger. We are now publishing his catechesis on generous we strive to be, we always remain indebted
the virtue of justice, as delivered on April 3, 2024: to our neighbour. If we love, it is also because we
Here we are at the second of the were loved first.
cardinal virtues: today we will talk In tradition we can find count-
about justice. It is the quintessential less descriptions of the righteous
social virtue. The Catechism of the person. Let us look at some of them.
Catholic Church defines it as “the The righteous person reveres laws
moral virtue that consists in the con- and respects them, knowing that
stant and firm will to give their due they constitute a barrier protecting
to God and neighbour” (no. 1807). the defenceless from the tyranny
This is justice. Often, when justice of the powerful. The righteous per-
is mentioned, the motto that repre- son does not only think of his own
sents it is also quoted: “unicuique individual well-being, but desires
suum ” — that is, “to each his own”. the good of society as a whole.
It is the virtue of law, that seeks to Therefore, he does not give in to the
regulate relations between people temptation to think only of himself
equitably. and of taking care of his own affairs,
It is represented allegorically by however legitimate they may be,
the scales, because it aims to “even as if they were the only thing that
the score” between people, espe- exists in the world. The virtue of jus-
cially when they risk being distorted tice makes it clear — and places this
by some imbalance. Its purpose is that everyone in need in the heart — that there can be no true good for
society be treated in accordance with the dignity oneself if there is not also the good of all.
proper to them. But the ancient masters had already Therefore, the righteous person keeps watch
taught that in order for this to occur, other virtuous over his own behaviour, so that it is not harmful to
attitudes are also necessary, such as benevolence, others. If he makes a mistake, he apologizes. The
respect, gratitude, affability, and honesty: virtues that righteous man always apologizes. In some situations,
contribute to a good coexistence between people. he goes so far as to sacrifice a personal good to make
Justice is a virtue for the good coexistence of people. it available to the community. He desires an orderly
We all understand that justice is fundamental for society, where people give lustre to the office they
peaceful coexistence in society: a world without laws hold, and not the office that gives lustre to people.
respecting rights would be a world in which it is im- He abhors special treatments and does not trade fa-
possible to live; it would resemble a jungle. Without vours. He loves responsibility and is exemplary in
justice, there is no peace. Indeed, if justice is not re- promoting legality. That [legality] indeed, is the path
spected, conflicts arise. Without justice, the law of of justice, the antidote to corruption: how important
the prevalence of the strong over the weak becomes it is to educate people, especially the young, in the
entrenched, and this is not just. culture of legality! It is the way to prevent the cancer
of corruption and to eradicate crime, pulling the rug
But justice is a virtue that acts on both a large and from under its feet.
small scale. It has to do not only with the courtroom, Furthermore, the righteous person shuns harm-
but also with the ethics that characterize our daily ful behaviour such as slander, perjury, fraud, usury,
lives. It establishes sincere relations with others: mockery and dishonesty. The righteous person keeps
it realizes the precept of the Gospel, according to his word, returns what he has borrowed, pays fair
which Christian speech is “simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; any- wages to all labourers: a man who does not pay fair
thing more than this comes from evil” (Mt 5:37). Half- wages to workers is not just; he is unjust. He is care-
truths, double-talk intended to deceive one’s neigh- ful not to make reckless judgments of his neighbours,
bour, the reticence that conceals true intentions, are and defends the reputation and good name of others.
not attitudes in keeping with justice. The righteous

12 MICHAEL May/June/July 2024 www.michaeljournal.org