«DIUTURNUM ILLUD». - Encyclical of LEO XIII, dated 29 June 1881 (Acta Leonis XIII, 2 [1882], pp. 269-87), concerning the correct concept of political power and civil authority, which has been distorted or demolished by the erroneous doctrines propagated by the Reformation and degenerated into theories and systems that are the death of civil society.
According to the doctrine of the Church, authority comes from God, whatever the form of government, even if the subject of that authority is designated by the people. Hence, authority possesses a superior dignity and the duty to govern according to justice; and for subjects, the obligation of respect and obedience. Fear and punishment alone are not sufficient to stimulate this obedience; rather, a more intimate and clear conscience of duty and the salutary impulse of the fear of God are required. All of this can be best achieved through religion; hence the necessity of leaving the Church full freedom to instruct and act upon civil society, all the more since, by word and example, it has always shown itself to be a friend of honest liberty and an enemy of every tyranny.