“Politics is necessary!” said Pope Francis in his address to the leaders present at the G7 Summit at Borgo Egnazia, Italy on 14 June 2024. It is necessary for creating universal fraternity and social peace. Therefore, we need to encourage and support the lay people in fulfilling their political responsibility.
Lay People and Politics
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) teaches that “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” (n. 2442). Pope Benedict XVI says that “The direct duty to work for a just ordering of society, … is proper to the lay faithful. As citizens of the State, they are called to take part in public life in a personal capacity. So they cannot relinquish their participation ‘in the many different economic, social, legislative, administrative and cultural areas, which are intended to promote organically and institutionally the common good’.” (Deus Caritas Est, n. 29).
We cannot say that we do not want to participate in politics or that we do not want to be involved in politics. This is because politics in its most fundamental sense refers to the activity of a group of people discerning together the course of action to be taken to promote the common good. We cannot survive and achieve a truly human life all alone. We need others, a group, a community to survive and to grow. And in such a group we cannot only be receivers. We have to be also givers. This puts on us the obligation to make our specific contribution to the group, which will have a bearing on the good of all, on the common good. This is why the CCC says, “It is necessary that all participate, each according to his position and role, in promoting the common good” (n. 1913). Pope Francis states, “Not one of us can say: this doesn’t affect me, they are the ones who govern. No, I too am responsible for the way they govern and I must do what I can to help them govern well, by participating in politics when I can. Politics, according to the Social Doctrine of the Church, is one of the highest forms of charity, because it serves the common good.” (Homily during the Holy Mass at Santa Marta, 16-09-2013).
JOSE KUTTIANIMATTATHIL, SDB
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