Participating in Political Life

Participating in Political Life

1.       Can we try looking at the possibility of non-negotiable choices in the political scene? What might be the position of the Church here?

2.      To help us, let us look at a document entitled “DOCTRINAL NOTE on some questions regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life”. This document was composed by the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; it was signed by Joseph Card. RATZINGER-Prefect and by Tarcisio BERTONE, S.D.B. on November 24, 2002. You might want to read the whole text: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20021124_politica_en.html.

3.      The document is modest. It wants to remind us of certain principles proper to our Christian conscience. In other words, form our conscience. The document says that in any political choice the whole dignity and integration of the human person must be considered.

a)     So, the human dignity is respected from the moment of conception to the end of life. Therefore euthanasia and abortion are “no no”. In this case, the human embryo must be respected—there is humanity there already.  

b)     Human dignity is respected also in the promotion of the human family founded on monogamous marriage between man and woman. So the “same sex” marriage is a “no no”.

c)      Human dignity is respected in the freedom of education of children. Children must be given the opportunity—the guarantee—of education so that they can grow and understand life.

d)     Human dignity is respected in the social respect of minors.

e)     Human dignity is respected in the liberation from modern forms of slavery.

f)       Human dignity is respected in religious freedom.

g)     Human dignity is respected in developing an economy that is in the service of the human person and common good.

h)     Human dignity is respected in justice for all and in the promotion of human solidarity and subsidiarity.

i)       Human dignity is respected in the promotion of peace.

4.      The list given above, though not exhaustive, shows nonetheless the concern of the Church for human dignity and the integration of the human person.

5.      Notice how the document moves. It starts with the promotion of life at its beginning—so in conception, the family and the child. Notice the emphasis on developing the person from the start—with education and respect of minors, for example.

6.      The whole integral person however is not just in the family. It is also in the whole social system. This is why it is important to talk about “modern slavery”. Just imagine the work in factories or hospitals. In the economic world today what is important is “what makes money”. So even labour is not given dignity.

7.      If what is most important is “what makes money” and “what makes us secured and surviving”, then we open the door to things like getting rid of the sick and the weak—in terms of abortion and euthanasia, for example. Some persons are “not acceptable” because they hinder our “making money” and our “security”.

8.      Also, if all social life is reduced to “making money” and surviving, then there is no need for solidarity with the poor—or with the weak and the ill and the handicapped. Anything that is a hindrance to survival is deleted.

9.      The document may not give a complete list of the non-negotiables, but it is clear that it is concerned with human dignity and the integration of the whole person. Human dignity and the integration of the whole person require moral-ethical approach to society.

10.   When making a political choice, then, we have some guidelines here. Choose those who will promote human dignity.

11.    But what exactly is a “non-negotiable”? It is in line with ethics and morality. It is not just juridical. A “non-negotiable” is that which is seen in line with basic Christian principles…such as those we mention above. Check out the political party-and-candidates. Do we see basic Christian principles in them?

12.   We may be divided according to our choices of candidates and parties. But we should be one in the concern for human dignity and integration. We might be arguing and debating regarding concrete policies in economics and politics. But we need to be coherent in the fact that we operate according to moral principles…not just according to the principles of “survival”.

13.   Now, one point needs to be kept. Political life does not end with the vote. We need to keep forming our conscience so that we can participate deeper into the political life of our society.