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Close Topic OptionsPolitics & The Catholic Church
Politics Catholic Church - Studies of Catholicism - Posted: 28th Feb, 2006 - 9:10pm
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Why do they get so involved with what political leaders do and say?
Post Date: 26th Jan, 2006 - 11:47am / Post ID: #
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Politics & The Catholic Church
POPE STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF LOVE IN CHRISTIAN FAITH
Pope Benedict XVI said in his first encyclical Wednesday that the Roman Catholic Church has a duty through its charitable work to influence political leaders to ease suffering and promote justice.
Ref. deseretnews.com/dn/view/1%2C3949%2C%2C00.html
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Church Catholic and Politics
Here is an article from 2004 prior to the last US presidential elections in which two Catholic leaders present their viewpoint on why the Catholic church should be involved in current political issues. I will quote some of the statements that directly targeted this issue:
| QUOTE |
| Young Catholics are not only the future of the Church but will be the moral and political back bone of our society. They are answering Pope John II's call for faithful citizenship by getting involved in the civic life of their community. Church leaders should not only encourage but actively support these dedicated and loyal Catholics who want to make a positive contribution to our church and nation. They are responding to the Pope's message that "man can not be separated from God, nor politics from morality." The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, in its recent document, "Faithful Citizenship, a Catholic Call to Political Responsibility", thoroughly lays out a clear agenda for Catholics to follow in this election year. As Catholics, who we vote for and our policy choices are all matters of conscience, but as Catholic citizens and residents of the United States, we have the duty to participate now and in future debates and choices over the values and visions that will guide our nation. The dual calling of faith and citizenship is at the heart of what it means to be a Catholic in the United States. Faithful citizenship calls us to seek "a place at the table" of life for all God's children in the elections of 2004 and beyond. This is what our Catholic Church teaches and these positions are not based on polls, focus groups or what is politically correct. It comes from the Good News of God and the teachings are not subject to political manipulation. |
https://www.catholic.org/featured/headline.php?ID=888
I would think this is a similar case for most religious organizations since religion and its activities must co-exist with the world and the politics that control it. Also, Catholicism is the largest branch of Christianity in the world, numbered at over 1 billion people worldwide. This means that politics will affect a large number of Catholics around the world, so the expectation should be that the church will have a vested interest in these political issues.
TOPIC: Politics & The Catholic Church