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The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has made
public today a Doctrinal Note on Some Questions Regarding the
Participation of Catholics in Political Life. That Note, which is
directed to "Bishops of the Catholic Church, Catholic politicians and
all lay members of the faithful called to participate in the
political life of democratic societies" is a most timely reminder of
"some of the principles proper to the Christian conscience, which
inspire the social and political involvement of Catholics in
democratic societies." I welcome this statement as it addresses some
of the profound challenges faced by Catholic politicians and voters
who are confronted with various moral and social issues in the
context of a democratic society.
I am pleased that the Note has recalled the tradition of
the Church that there exist various political opinions compatible
with faith and the natural moral law written into the hearts of every
man and woman. For this reason, Catholic men and women can make a
great contribution to the political sphere by their participation,
and by bringing to that process their properly formed convictions
based in moral principles and essential values which are rooted in
our nature as human beings and in our Catholic faith. Because, as the
Note reminds us, there are "non-negotiable ethical principles which are the underpinning of life in society" Catholic
politicians cannot subscribe to any notion which equates freedom or
democracy with a moral relativism that denies these moral
principles. Further, while acknowledging the differences between the
political and religious orders, the values brought by Christians to
the political process must not be muted or silenced by any intolerant
secularism which would deny the legitimacy of moral values espoused
by Christians who would speak or act according to their
conscience.
The Catholic Bishops of the United States have a long
tradition of adding their voices to the political and moral dialogue
of our democratic process. We too have stressed the fundamental and
inalienable ethical demands of our human nature which support the
life of every human person, from conception until natural death. This
respect for the human person extends to safeguarding the family,
promoting education, protecting minors, defending religious freedom,
assuring a just economy and fostering peace. Indeed Catholics
involved in politics recognize that in these essential moral
questions, our faith does not allow a commitment to support only one
or some of these areas of responsibility for the common good.
The Catholic Church is rightly proud of the contribution of
its members to the democratic process in this country. We owe a debt
of gratitude to those Catholics involved in politics on all levels
who work to enact policies which truly respect the most essential
moral values of our human nature. I hope that this letter will serve
as an encouragement to them and a reminder to all of the profound
duty and obligation which Catholics involved in politics have to work
without exception or reservation for all of the goods rooted in our
human nature.
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
Secretariat for Doctrine and Pastoral Practices
January 16, 2003 Copyright (c) by United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops
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