“For the lay faithful, political involvement is a worthy and demanding expression of the Christian commitment of service to others” (Compendium, no. 565). The Church names the criteria that should guide it: “The pursuit of the common good in a spirit of service, the development of justice with particular attention to situations of poverty and suffering, respect for the autonomy of earthly realities, the principle of subsidiarity, the promotion of dialogue and peace in the context of solidarity” (Compendium, no. 565).
The Church values democracy “inasmuch as it ensures the participation of citizens in making political choices” (Compendium, no. 406), and asks that any choice of party or political instrument be “rooted in charity” and tend “towards the attainment of the common good” (Compendium, no. 573). Voting, conscience, religious liberty and the honesty of public officials belong here. The pieces below keep to principles and conscience, and leave candidates and parties to the reader.
Three outlets banned from the White House, a network pool suspended. The Church says the right to information belongs to the citizen, not the newsroom or the state.
Inflation hit 3.4% and gas is up 27% six months into a war Congress never authorized. What Catholic social teaching says about who pays and who was asked.
Trump promised $5,000 to every adult citizen if Republicans win Congress. What Catholic social teaching says about public money and what a vote is for.
The AfD won 43.8% in Saxony-Anhalt. Catholic social teaching says democracy is a means, not an end, and no majority can confer what the moral law denies.
The Army secretary’s resignation, read through Catholic social teaching: public office as stewardship, and the duty to refuse an order you judge wrong.
