Catholic living and a Political Career

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Seanhg12

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Hi everyone, this is my first ever post on Catholic Answers Forum.
I am texting here today because I am slightly worried about how to proceed in my career hopes and still live a good catholic life. I desire to enter politics, in some form or another, as an analyst, politician, or some other position. I am wondering how to live and act as an authentic catholic in politics when unholy compromise, dishonesty, and luxury pervades politics. How can I be catholic if I am in the spotlight or am forced to be vague and dishonest in politics to properly move policy ahead? There sadly is not rea catholic political party in America, and the Republicans are the closest thing I can find to tolerable. Yet we disagree on certain issues. I don’t really expect a perfect answer of course, but perhaps just some advice from someone pursuing or active in this career already as a devout Catholic would be helpful.
God be with you all, and thanks for any help you can provide!
 
You will have to be a bit of a loner, independent, but stay true to your own convictions. It would be great to have a nonpartisan analyst.
 
It is difficult to remain faithful to God and have a political career but it is not impossible.
Ask for the intercession of Giorgio La Pira, Italian politician and Third Order Dominican soon to be officially declared ‘blessed’ by the Catholic Church.
 
Olympians prepare and condition themselves physically. A Catholic holding political office needs to be a regular at a “spiritual gym” - regular Mass attendance, participation in the sacraments, and a powerful prayer life are all part of the package. I would also suggest finding a trusted spiritual advisor.

A famous aphorism misattributed to Lincoln is that holding power is the ultimate test of your integrity. Aquinas named money and power as 2/4 things (pleasure and honor/ego begin the others), with the potential to pull us away from God; they can be good things, too, of course.

I hate to sound dramatic, but doing God’s work while holding a position of power will make you spiritually vulnerable. Make St. Michael the Archangel your patron to do the battles you’ll need to fight. These battles won’t just be spiritual; a lot of people will try to bring you down, so thick skin and a strong character are essential.

Finally, God truly is calling you to this, please move to my district, m-kay? 😉 Welcome to CAF.
 
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You can always work for a Catholic think tank or Catholic nonprofit that wields political influence. If you actually run for public office, you’re probably going to have to compromise a lot.
 
“Search for the Kingdom of God first, and everything else shall be added unto you”.

A good politician serves the people in his sincere intent. In fact, if the people sees you as not very sincere, most probably you’ll lose their support.

So I think it’s not impossible to be a good catholic first, while serving the people as a politician. Lying and immoral behaviors are not required neither they are criteria to become a good politician.
 
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Thank you all for the wonderful responses and I will certainly put into action much of what you’ve written! It’s wonderful to see such optimistic responses and positive support to off set my pessimism lmao! God bless you all!
 
I’ve spent my whole career Of 25+ years in a political/policy environment, and have never once been in a position where my Catholicism was an issue.

In fact, most of the work I’ve found myself involved in has been in crafting policies and legislation in social justice issues that are familiar to all Catholics, like homelessness, mental health, veterans affairs, juvenile justice, education, substance abuse, intellectual disabilities, etc. And I don’t work for a Catholic organization but for a state government.

So I would say it’s entirely possible to do the work you feel called to do without compromising your values.

I would say this, though: I wouldn’t hire you if you have the attitude that politicians are necessarily corrupt or dishonest, or that they naturally don’t share your values.

Stop reading the Internet and meet some real people doing real work. You’ll be surprised how often Conservative Republicans can be social justice “worriers” and how often Progressive Democrats set aside their sound bites to do good work together.
 
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