Does the Church prohibit Catholics from joining political parties that have platforms containing positions contrary to faith/morals? I read that as late as the 1950’s Catholics (in I think it was the Netherlands) couldn’t be members of a socialist party.
Now could Catholics theoretically be members of a political party that has positions contrary to what the Church believes in, if they don’t subscribe to the party platform? Is there an Encyclical or something on this that is out there?
I feel like I saw something about this once upon a time…
Dear friend,
A quote that reveals more than first reading:
Luke.16
[1] He also said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a steward, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his goods.
[2] And he called him and said to him,
What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.' [3] And the steward said to himself, What shall I do, since my master is taking the stewardship away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg.
[4] I have decided what to do, so that people may receive me into their houses when I am put out of the stewardship.’
[5] So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first,
How much do you owe my master?' [6] He said, A hundred measures of oil.’ And he said to him,
Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.' [7] Then he said to another, And how much do you owe?’ He said,
A hundred measures of wheat.' He said to him, Take your bill, and write eighty.’
[8] The master commended the dishonest steward for his shrewdness; for the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.
[9] And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous mammon, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal habitations.
[10] "He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and he who is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much.
[11] If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will entrust to you the true riches?
In the end everything is wrong here in this fallen world. Within certain guides set by God, the Law, we oft have to get our hands a little bit dirty to get things done here. We have to put up with some **** always, if we are going to vote. Some things are uncompromisable, but if we do not allow Catholics to run for high office when all political parties in the offing are rotten. What will happen? Only the most evil politicians will rise. So we must try to find the best options and support people who will improve things as best we can. If all options are just out, we need good men to get into the political arena. We need Catholic action, especially today. In the meantime Jesus tells us we will be faced by dilemmas like this. He seems to praise the wise steward, but He is really just explaining similar things to what I say. That is how I see it. Could be right, wrong or a mix. Choose best you can, and encourage the best people into and in politics I suggest.
Blessings & peace:thumbsup:
