Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City writes a succinct article on the political responsibility of Catholics especially as it relates to the life issues. This is good reading to prepare for the 2008 elections. The Archbishop also podcasts his regular column "Life Will be Victorious."

One thing to note: When the Archbishop talks about the tradition in the Church in America of clergy not running for office, it does not mean that the Church should have no voice at all in politics. Quite the opposite. All Christians should vigorously voice their opinions and get involved however they can in the political process.

Too many times we hear the mantra of "separation of church and state" and people back off, thinking that their involvement somehow violates a sacred and unalterable idea. Scared to continue further, they disengage from the political process and write it off as something that cannot be changed.

This of course is the goal of those who oppose the Church and all she stands for. The Second Vatican Council stated clearly though that the "the member who fails to make his proper contribution to the development of the Church must be said to be useful neither to the Church nor to himself." (Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, para. 2)

If the Church does not exist to be a leaven and to effect change in accord with the good of the human person, especially in the political realm, then she is no good at all. Politics has the ability to effect the good in a way that other institutions cannot and so demands an effort from the Church and her laity in a way that is not needed for other institutions.

Are you involved?

Labels: Politics