Doctrinal Note on Some Questions
Regarding the Participation
of Catholics in Political LifeQuestions and Answers
What is the purpose of this note?
Cardinal Ratzinger says in the letter that accompanies the Note that it "intends to recall certain fundamental principles proper to the Christian conscience which must govern and inform the social and political involvement of Catholics in pluralistic and democratic societies." Thus it primarily addresses citizens and politicians in democracies, reminding them to play their full role as citizens based on fundamental ethical principles. As the note says, "Democracy could not be productive without the active, responsible and generous involvement of everyone" in a diversity of ways. The document's emphasis is on the proper formation of Christian conscience and its role in shaping policy and culture. It does not treat juridical issues.
What are these principles?
They can be summed up as respect for dignity of the human person and a commitment to the common good. More specifically they would include the promotion of such public goods as respect for human life, protection for the family as a founded on a monogamous union of man and woman peace, education and the protection of minors, freedom, including religious freedom, fostering a just economy and working for peace. They would exclude whatever violates the respect for the dignity of the human person including abortion and euthanasia, the violation of the rights of the embryo, and modern forms of slavery such as drug abuse and prostitution.
What does the Note say about democracy?
The Church recognizes that democracy is the best expression of the direct participation of citizens in political choices. However, it succeeds only to the extent that it is based on a correct understanding of the human person. It is respect for the truth about the human person that makes democratic participation possible.
What dangers does democracy face?
Primarily, a moral and cultural relativism which causes some citizens to claim complete autonomy in their moral choices and politicians to enact laws which ignore the principles of natural ethics as if every possible outlook on life were of equal value.
But aren't pluralism and a tolerance for different points of view basic to democracy?
As the Note points out, the history of the 20th century shows the falsehood of relativism and the notion that there is no moral law rooted in the nature of the human person. Ironically, "tolerance" in often invoked to discourage the lay faithful from basing their contribution to society and political life – through the legitimate means available to everyone in a democracy – on their understanding of the human person and the common good.
What about the separation of "church and state"?
The Note fully supports the rightful autonomy of the political or civil sphere from that of religion or the Church. It points out that the identification of religious law with civil law can stifle religious freedom and restrict or deny other inalienable rights. Also, the state does not have the right to interfere in specifically religious activities.
However this does not mean that there is an autonomy from morality. Christians and all citizens must defend, by legitimate means, moral truths concerning society including respect for human life and other rights of the person, justice and freedom.
The fact that some of these truths may also be taught by the Church does not lessen the political legitimacy or the rightful "autonomy" of the contribution of those citizens who are committed to them.
Some may have come to these truths through reasoned inquiry or from their being taught by the Christian faith or both. In whatever way a person has come to these fundamental moral truths, in a democratic society all proposals are freely discussed and examined. To disqualify Christians from political life for acting in accord with their consciences amounts to a form of intolerant secularism.
What are the responsibilities of the lay faithful in civil and political life?
This is an arena that is worthy and appropriate for the baptized faithful as they fulfill their mission in the Church to the world. Their legitimate autonomy to deal with many matters and issues which do not involve fundamental moral principles is fully respected. However, the well-informed Christian conscience does not permit one to vote for a political policy or an individual law which contradicts the fundamental contents of faith and morals. The Christian faith is an integral unity, and one cannot support one of these teachings to the neglect of the others or to omit support for one of them while supporting others. Christians should collaborate in the shaping of a culture that is informed by the true dignity of the human person and the common good.
"Questions and Answers" was developed as a resource by Staff of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). It was reviewed by Bishop Donald W. Trautman, Chairman
of the USCCB Committee on Doctrine, and is approved for publication by the undersigned.
Msgr. William P. Fay
General Secretary
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Secretariat for Doctrine and Pastoral Practices
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20017-1194 (202) 541-3000