The Church and Politics

Back in October I posted a word of support for the U.S. Catholic bishops, as they reaffirmed the 2007 document, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizens, for the upcoming 2012 presidential election cycle.  The wisdom of that decision, and the document, continues to be applicable.  I wrote this for our parish bulletin last week.  The quotes are from FCFC.

"Why does the Church have to get involved in politics?"

How often I have heard this question!  Sometimes it is raised with the continuing issue of the federal Health and Human Services mandate to religious bodies to provide contraception, sterilization and the "morning after" pills, as part of "ordinary health care" for Americans as our country moves to near-universal health coverage.  Bishop David Zubik of Pittsburgh and the U.S. Catholic bishops nationally have been at the forefront of addressing the issue of religious liberty, and whether religious bodies have the right to define themselves and not violate their consciences.  Sometimes it is raised when the Catholic Church speaks out to oppose legal abortion on demand, or expansion of war in the Middle East, or when the Catholic Church stands up for the human rights of immigrants, unemployed, the elderly, families or the poor.

All these issues, and many more, are political issues.  Through politics we the people put our values into public policy.  In the words of the U.S. Catholic bishops, "The Church's obligation to participate in shaping the moral character of society is a requirement of our faith, a part of the mission given to us by Jesus Christ.  Faith helps us see more clearly the truth about human life and dignity that we also understand through human reason.  As people of both faith and reason, Catholics are called to bring truth to political life and to practice Christ's commandment to 'love one another.' "

It is important to distinguish between "political" and "partisan."  Agsin, in the words of the bishops, here are the urgent political moral choices facing us:  "We are a nation at war, with all of its human costs; a nation of immigrants strugging with immigration.  We are an affluent society where too many live in poverty; part of a global community confronting terrorism and facing urgent threats to our environment; a culture built on families, where some now question the value of marriage and family.  We pride ourselves on supporting human rights, but we fail even to protect the fundamental right to life, especially for unborn children."

These are political issues that every citizen has a duty to address.  What the Church is not is partisan.  The Catholic Church does not endorse or oppose any political party or particular candidate for public office.  The Catholic Church is not the chaplain to the Republican Party, nor the Democratic Party at prayer.  We are not beholden to any interest group or PAC.  No bishop, priest, or deacon can tell you from the pulpit whom to vote for.

Again, the bishops tell us, "In the Catholic tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation."  Those who serve in political life, whether in elective office, appointed or the judiciary, serve all of us, and deserve our prayers, support and yes, sometimes our criticism of positions or decisions which violate a consistent ethic of life.  All of us need to see beyond party politics, analyze campaign rhetoric critically, and to choose political leaders according to principle, not party affiliation or mere-self interest.  This is why Bishop Zubik is speaking out.  It is his right, and his responsibility.  We should follow his lead by reading closely the messages he has sent to his faithful, and share them with our elected officials.  Then we, the Church, the People of God, are being political in the best sense of the word.