YOUCAT Question n. 440 - Are Christians obliged to become involved in politics and society?
(Youcat
answer) It is a special duty of the Christian laity people to become involved
in politics, society, and commerce in the spirit of the Gospel: in charity,
truth, and justice. Catholic Social Teaching offers them clear guidance in this
endeavor.
A deepening through CCC
(CCC 2442)
It is not the role of the Pastors of the Church to intervene directly in the
political structuring and organization of social life. This task is part of the
vocation of the lay faithful, acting
on their own initiative with their fellow citizens. Social action can assume
various concrete forms. It should always have the common good in view and be in
conformity with the message of the Gospel and the teaching of the Church. It is
the role of the laity "to animate temporal realities with Christian
commitment, by which they show that they are witnesses and agents of peace and
justice" (SRS 47 § 6; cf. 42).
Reflecting and meditating
(Youcat comment) Partisan political activity is, however,
incompatible with the ministry of bishops, priests, and religious, who must be
of service to everyone.
(CCC Comment)
(CCC 899)
The initiative of lay Christians is necessary especially when the matter
involves discovering or inventing the means for permeating social, political,
and economic realities with the demands of Christian doctrine and life. This
initiative is a normal element of the life of the Church: Lay believers are in
the front line of Church life; for them the Church is the animating principle
of human society. Therefore, they in particular ought to have an ever-clearer
consciousness not only of belonging to the Church, but of being the Church,
that is to say, the community of the faithful on earth under the leadership of
the Pope, the common Head, and of the bishops in communion with him. They are
the Church (Pius XII, Discourse, February 20, 1946: AAS 38 (1946) 149; quoted
by John Paul II, CL 9).
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