CATHOLICS AND POLITICS 3

 CATHOLICS IN ACTIVE POLITICS III 

THE MAGISTERIUM AND CATHOLICS OF TODAY

Rev FR Utazi Prince Marie Benignus Zereuwa

THE MAGISTERIUM PROPOSES TRUTH TO ENLIGHTEN THE CONSCIENCE OF PEOPLE

One of the special tasks of the Magisterium is to propose the truth of the faith, so that it may enlighten, educate and sustain the conscience of individual believers as a guarantee of their membership in the ecclesial community. The conscience of each individual member of parliament remains always and in all cases the ultimate and inalienable measure for judgment that nothing and no one will ever be able to supplant. It is before God alone that the conscience finds itself in the dramatic situation of having to choose.

As with any decision, the political decision also entails the duty to give people something that is considered worthwhile and positive. It is not an easy situation; hence, it is dramatic, since from the decision an orientation is born that will not only determine the individual's own life but that of entire generations to come.

For this reason, the Magisterium desires to support the commitment of those who dedicate their life to the service of politics. By showing the truth of the consistency between the content of faith and the specific historical circumstances of the present time, parliamentarians are placed in a position of having greater confidence in their own conduct, backed by the conviction of the decisions they are required to make.

AVOIDING THE TRAP OF A PLURALISM OF PUBLIC POLICIES

Catholic politicians should do everything possible to avoid the cultural diaspora of those who share the Christian faith. The historical situations in different countries (Nigeria inclusive), according to their various systems of democratic representation, allow Catholic parliamentarians to be forceful in various political parties. On the essential values of faith, no Catholic legislator or politician can think of acting in accordance with a rigid pattern of party membership as though this were superior to his membership in the Church. In matters essential to the faith and to the achievement of the common good, the politician-believer must be committed to inspiring the greatest possible consensus, for he or she knows that such matters are based on principles which, even before they are explained by faith, are inscribed in nature that has no specific denominational character in itself. A law drafted on the basis of ethical relativism would have such weak foundations that it could not even claim to be passed on the grounds of the universal consent of citizens.

In this regard, Catholic politicians are required to do their best to recover that form of political rationality in order to give their action the credibility of the choices they make and in which they ask people to share, independently of their own faith and over and above other ideological models. Moreover, no policy can embrace every aspect of personal life. The ability to recognize the historical moment and the power to impress upon it an approach that will herald a more judicious future constitute the personal commitment that must motivate politicians. In this case, they might picture Thomas More's Utopia as the highest form of expression for their political action founded on justice, in which the encounter between the actual situation and historical contingence is possible.

THERE IS NEITHER PUBLIC NOR PRIVATE IN FAITH

Yes, a politician is a public figure. He acquires this connotation above all from the fact that he is a believer, and as such, a subject of the Church. Of course, faith is always a personal act, but for this very reason it is an admission to an ecclesial faith which makes a community life possible. Christians, whoever they may be, are always ecclesial subjects; this rules out the possibility of a schizophrenia that would relegate them to being politicians during the week and Christians on Sundays. They must get out of the trap of those who want to restrict the faith exclusively to the private sphere.

Public leadership must recognize the responsibility political commitment demands. There is neither public nor private in faith. Believing has always been a public act and only a hypocritical Puritan vision, which does not belong to us, can enclose it in a vicious circle of this kind. Membership of politicians in the Church is a free choice of life, but demands consistency.

The autonomy of the two spheres is not damaged when, as believers, they strive to have passed laws that depend on the ethical code to which they adhere. It is this double presence, in fact, that is the only guarantee of authentic freedom for every citizen. It is not necessary, from this viewpoint, to recall that the principle of lay autonomy is a precious heritage which the Christian faith has integrated into the progress of history, and which we are all keen to preserve and defend.

The secular nature of the State is a fundamental presupposition for politicians who believe they can express themselves in conformity with their conscience.

Moreover, the secular commitment of Catholic politicians is based precisely on the possibility of their being present in a legislative context as representatives of people who, as believers, have a conscience of their own. To raise the lay factor to an ideology in order to marginalize the action of Catholics would be the worst form of service a politician could render. He would disqualify himself, because he would be showing that secular intolerance which, by the same standard of religious intolerance, presages violence.

If there were no moral authority that could go beyond the sphere of the State, then yes, freedom really would be destroyed since, in fact, a political power would become the foundation of an ethical code. In that case, the lapse into exploitation of power for one's own advantage would no longer be merely a risk, and the door to totalitarianism would be thrown open. Autonomy and the lay aspect the Catholic politician undertakes to guarantee is sustained by a concept of freedom to which every law must be oriented. It is rooted in every human heart, and no one can tear it out without offending the dignity of the person and of the law itself.

THE SACREDNESS OF LIFE CAN NEVER BE ASSERTED ENOUGH

The Note of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith contributes a further clarification to the discussion taking place in various countries on the role and presence of Catholics in political life. Ethical problems, especially in this historical situation, are reflectors that challenge the conscience of citizens as never before (cf. n. 4). The provocations that surface are often new and unheard of, and for this reason give rise to bewilderment and confusion in many. The sacredness of life can never be asserted often enough with the strength of conviction in the various civil, social and religious walks of life.

Catholics engaged in politics, however, are responsible for being the first guarantors of the dignity of life. This commitment requires them to be convinced interpreters, promulgating laws that sustain the mysterious and intangible character of human life in all its manifestations.

John Paul II, in his historical visit to the Italian Parliament, was able to give a global and profound meaning to this entire discussion when he said; "The challenges facing a democratic State demand from all men and women of good will, irrespective of their particular political persuasion, supportive and generous cooperation in building up the common good of the nation" (Address to the Italian Parliament, 14 November 2002, n. 5; ORE, 20 November 2002, p. 2).

Therefore, those whose task is political representation and who bear the holy name of Christian, that they should perform their service every day with impeccable competence and morality that is second to none.

RECONCILIATION

Our country is divided majorly, APC from PDP, Christians from Muslims, Hausa/Fulani from Igbos and so on. In such a divided nation, we need reconciliation; that is, the feeling of forgiveness, and that we are right with one another. Reconciliation is so important to Catholics that it is a sacrament, the one formerly referred to as Confession. Our leaders should come together in a spirit of national unity and to commit themselves to dialogue and compromise for the common good. Who should those leaders be? They are Catholic Politicians.

HEAL THE SICK

In imitation of Jesus Christ, the Catholic community has always felt an obligation to care for the sick. The first hospitals were in monasteries and convents where the sick came for care. Today, with greater scientific understanding, there is much more we can do to heal the sick and to prevent disease.

SUMMARY

I am of the affirmation that Catholics should take an active, vocal and morally consistent role in public debates, particularly on issues such as abortion, the death penalty, lack of salary payment to workers, and other matters they consider central to social justice. Their active involvement in politics of the nation nowadays should be of an encouraging progress.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Carol Glatz. Catholics must be active in politics, no matter how 'dirty,' pope says. May 1, 2015. Catholic News Service Vatican https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/francis-chronicles/catholics-must-be-active-politics-no-matter-how-dirty-pope-says August 23 2021

Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Doctrinal Note on Some Questions Regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life.

https://cacatholic.org/article/making-practical-decisions-using-themes-principles-catholic-social-teaching August 23 2021

Stephen Schneck. How Catholics should think about politics and government. November 1, 2017 https://uscatholic.org/blog/how-catholics-should-think-about-politics-and-government/ August 23 2021

Rino Fisichella. The Duty of Catholic Politicians. L'Osservatore Romano Weekly Edition in English 25 June 2003, page 10. https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/duty-of-catholic-politicians-3134 August 23 2021

© Rev Fr Utazi Prince Marie Benignus Zereuwa

Updated January 17 2023