Seperation of Church and State

  • Thread starter Thread starter Polska
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
P

Polska

Guest
Hello all,

Why doesn’t the Vatican become more involved in politics? Why aren’t pro-catholic political parties being formed to support the values of catholics? Catholics are such a huge block of voters, and if the Church supported this specific candidate/party, we could bring change to our society, laws, media etc. that are some of the factors that are degrading our society initself? Why is this not happening? We all know that there is basically a war on Catholicism decreed by world governments, so why not fight back and take over?
 
Polska said:
Hello all,

Why doesn’t the Vatican become more involved in politics? Why aren’t pro-catholic political parties being formed to support the values of catholics? Catholics are such a huge block of voters, and if the Church supported this specific candidate/party, we could bring change to our society, laws, media etc. that are some of the factors that are degrading our society initself? Why is this not happening? We all know that there is basically a war on Catholicism decreed by world governments, so why not fight back and take over?
Click to expand...
Good points. But one possible pitfall is the Church could lose its tax-exempt status if it becomes too political. But maybe, “so what?”
 
Polska said:
Hello all,

Why doesn’t the Vatican become more involved in politics? Why aren’t pro-catholic political parties being formed to support the values of catholics? over?
Click to expand...
many European countries have had such political parties, usually called Christian Democrats or something similar. such a party would of course be contrary to the American political system. get any good college survey book on European history and look at the disasters that did result when the Vatican became involved in European politics.
 
Polska said:
Hello all,

Why doesn’t the Vatican become more involved in politics? Why aren’t pro-catholic political parties being formed to support the values of catholics? Catholics are such a huge block of voters, and if the Church supported this specific candidate/party, we could bring change to our society, laws, media etc. that are some of the factors that are degrading our society initself? Why is this not happening? We all know that there is basically a war on Catholicism decreed by world governments, so why not fight back and take over?
Click to expand...
There is currently a debate on in Britain about taxes on motorway use. There is another one about the correct way to fund pensions, and another about the use of external consultants as advisors to Civil Servants.

For the Church to speak on any of these issues would be absurd. However a Catholic political party would have to have a policy on them.

The there are other issues on which the Church should speak, but doesn’t have perfect competence. For instance the National Curriculum is based on a false idea of the purpose of education, and ultimately of the dignity of the children. On the other hand, a bishop’s message would be blunted if he made much more disputable comments about the relative value of examinations versus coursework. It is far better if the bisop can enunciate general principles and leave actual policy to politicians.

Finally there are issues, such as Third World debt, abortion, civil divorce, where the Church must take a line and insist that Catholics in good standing follow her policy. However these should be as few in number as possible, and kept to really essential matters.
 
Malcolm, good points. Never thought about it from that angle. Thanks
 
Polska said:
Hello all,

Why doesn’t the Vatican become more involved in politics? Why aren’t pro-catholic political parties being formed to support the values of catholics? Catholics are such a huge block of voters, and if the Church supported this specific candidate/party, we could bring change to our society, laws, media etc. that are some of the factors that are degrading our society initself? Why is this not happening? We all know that there is basically a war on Catholicism decreed by world governments, so why not fight back and take over?
Click to expand...

God forbid.​

Every time Rome does that, it ends up by prostituting faith to politics; which damages both.

If “Catholic Parties” were formed, this would imply that Catholics who joined a different party were somehow second-class or inferior - & there is more than enough of that stupid factionalism in the Church already; we do not need another.

As for a “war”, that’s the first anyone has told me about it. There’s no war - unless “war” is another name for the Church’s not always getting its own way; why should it ?

Most importantly, Jesus said “My Kingdom is not of this world” (John 18.36). It certainly isn’t, & nothing can make it so. If Christ had wanted to be a politician, he would have taken up the devil’s offer of an earthly kingdom.

Besides: society (which means, the people who comprise it) cannot be made virtuous by diktat, Papal or any other - only by interior conversion. And no political or other parties can bring that about; so there is no need for such a party anyway.

Clerics have no right to get involved in politics - to do so, is for the laity; & if the clergy butt in, they are trespassing by usurping a vocation which is not theirs. They have as much business to make policy as laymen have to offer Mass - IOW, none whatsoever. If clerics wish to be in politics, they can resign from the priesthood. Otherwise, they should shut up, & stick to leading by preaching & example.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top