Christian politics

I HAVE commented on this before, but I really think it is worth reiterating. Besides, no one seems to make mention of it in the public fora, it remains largely unknown to many, and yet I feel it is of capital importance that we know it well.

I am referring to a document issued November 24 last year, Solemnity of Christ the King, by the Vatican's Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith, entitled "Doctrinal note on some questions regarding the participation of Catholics in political life."

It's worth noting the date of the document. The solemnity of Christ the King is a strong reminder to all Catholic faithful that they have to subject themselves and everything else, including their politics, to Christ.

Right now, there seems to be that shameless implicit belief, quite widespread, that there are certain human affairs where God has no business interfering, or where the indications of moral law can be ignored.

Everything comes from God and belongs to God. Though not everyone may accept that, it does not prevent the faithful from asserting that truth and making it accepted by all by means that always respect people's freedom and consciences. We cannot force anyone.

The title may sound laid-back and all that, but the document actually contains radical ideas and very challenging words addressed to all Catholics, but especially the politicians. It tries no less than to make deep changes in people's attitudes toward politics, if not the current political systems themselves.

Yes, it tries to shake us up and rouse us from some kind of political lethargy and indifference, and to cure us of a harmful strand of relativism that most democratic systems now are prone to.

That may be a quixotic dream, but the Vatican, discerning what it thinks is really needed by people these days, will never stop from issuing reminders, clarifications and updates if only to be true to its God-given mission.

This combination of widespread indifference and dangerous relativism should be seen as a public enemy against which everyone should try to fight earnestly, promptly recognizing its many if subtle manifestations and defeating it.

This is what the document in effect is saying. We have had enough of dichotomy between what we believe and what we do, what we profess and what we practice, between faith and life. More consistency is demanded, especially in people's political life.

That, sad to say, is where the most gaping inconsistencies in people's beliefs and practices can be found. All of a sudden, it seems that when it comes to politics, most ordinary people can think they have hardly any part in it. This apathy is wrong and can be dangerous.

Or those actively involved may feel they can suspend the moral law, and just behave in any way they find convenient and practical.

This can include outright lying, defaming, sowing intrigues and discord, even planning public disorder. This can include bribing, vote-buying, the many other forms of corruption, and ignoring the indications of delicacy and refinement.

Or they may even feel they have the right to violate basic rules of logic, as their reasoning can go to some frenzied spasms of twisted rationalizations and justifications.

These, to say the least, are below human dignity. These convert men into some kind of animals and slaves to erroneous values.

And this effort at consistency is not fanaticism, it is not trying to put up some kind of confessional state. It is simply asserting, always with due respect to everyone's rights and freedoms, what is the human and Christian way to do politics.

Again, this does not mean having some kind of uniform political systems, ideas or positions. It, in fact, fosters a certain variety of things. But it's a variety that has nothing to do with disorder, chaos, licentiousness and irresponsibility.

It's a variety that acknowledges the legitimate differences of views and positions of people in matters that are subject to opinion. In this respect, the bigger the variety the better for all, in fact.

As to the problem of the dangerous kind of relativism that the document also talks about, it refers again to a sadly widespread mentality that considers just any position as having equal weight. Conflicts among these positions are resolved simply by voting or by consensus or by some other human processes.

It is blind to the fact that there are certain things that, though unpopular, cannot be compromised because they simply are absolute or fixed truths about us and about things in general. These are as basic as the right to life, sanctity of sex and marriage, religious freedom, etc.

Let's hope that more and more Catholic faithful take the time to study this document, start implementing it into their own lives, and contribute to making our political life as human and Christian as possible.