CSDC 355

Tax revenues and public spending take on crucial economic importance for every civil and political community. The goal to be sought is public financing that is itself capable of becoming an instrument of development and solidarity. Just, efficient and effective public financing will have very positive effects on the economy, because it will encourage employment growth and sustain business and non-profit activities and help to increase the credibility of the State as the guarantor of systems of social insurance and protection that are designed above all to protect the weakest members of society. Public spending is directed to the common good when certain fundamental principles are observed: the payment of taxes ⁷³⁹ Cf. Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, 30: AAS 58AAS — Acta Apostolicae Sedis (official gazette of the Holy See)Volume 58 (1966) at vatican.va — scanned PDF (1966), 1049-1050. as part of the duty of solidarity; a reasonable and fair application of taxes;⁷⁴⁰ Cf. John XXIII, Encyclical Letter Mater et Magistra: AAS 53AAS — Acta Apostolicae Sedis (official gazette of the Holy See)Volume 53 (1961) at vatican.va — scanned PDF (1961), 433-434, 438. precision and integrity in administering and distributing public resources.⁷⁴¹ Cf. Pius XI, Encyclical Letter Divini Redemptoris: AAS 29AAS — Acta Apostolicae Sedis (official gazette of the Holy See) (1966), 103-104. In the redistribution of resources, public spending must observe the principles of solidarity, equality and making use of talents. It must also pay greater attention to families, designating an adequate amount of resources for this purpose.⁷⁴² Cf. Pius XII, Radio Message for the fiftieth anniversary of Rerum Novarum, 21: AAS 33AAS — Acta Apostolicae Sedis (official gazette of the Holy See)Volume 33 (1941) at vatican.va — scanned PDF (1941), 202; John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Centesimus Annus, 49: AAS 83AAS — Acta Apostolicae Sedis (official gazette of the Holy See)Volume 83 (1991) at vatican.va — scanned PDF (1991), 854-856; John Paul II, Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio, 45: AAS 74AAS — Acta Apostolicae Sedis (official gazette of the Holy See)Volume 74 (1982) at vatican.va — scanned PDF (1982), 136-137.