Religion and the Nation State: Home

"The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, having received the opinion of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, has decided that it would be appropriate to publish the present Doctrinal Note on some questions regarding the participation of Catholics in political life. This Note is directed to the Bishops of the Catholic Church and, in a particular way, to Catholic politicians and all lay members of the faithful called to participate in the political life of democratic societies ... "

"With elections looming in a number of countries this month, including all 28 European Union member states, a key issue will be whether right-wing and nationalist parties can maintain their surge in support. In many of these countries, that question also involves the role of the Catholic Church ... "

"Looks at how when the bishops intervene in controversial questions of a secular character they stir up opposition to themselves from within the church and undermine their own authority to teach and govern ... "

" ... Similar concerns about the separation of church and state have been heard at the United Nations. There is distress regarding the increased role religion is playing in the forging of public policy. Since the 1992 Rio Conference on the environment, many diplomats and nongovernmental organizations have noticed increasing activity by the Roman Catholic Church, which has a unique and privileged status at the UN ... "

" ... The great lesson of this period is that appeasement did not work in the confrontation with Hitler, nor did it work for the church in the communist years. Despite great suffering, successful resistance to communists was only seen in a strong sense of Catholic identity and persistence in upholding the values of human nature, community and ultimate destiny. Sometimes the church is also defined by what we oppose and—as John Paul II knew—if we oppose nothing, Catholicism is lost ... "

" ... it is possible to identify three general areas in which the special interests of the leadership machinery of the Roman Catholic church clash sharply with the interests of the general public, including the vast majority of individual Catholics. These three areas may be labeled: (1) special recognition and privilege; (2) compulsory financial support; and (3) excessive influence over individual and family life ... "

" ... The power of the Church is not bound by the limits of 'matters strictly religious', as they say, but the whole matter of the natural law, its foundation, its interpretation, its application, so far as their moral aspects extend, are within the Church's power." Since natural law is those rules of right conduct perceived by the spark of Divine Reason which is in man to guide him to his last end, i.e. eternal bliss with God, then the Church's authority properly covers "all moral activity, which is nearly every aspect of human behaviour ... "

"The Church is often accused of “interfering in politics” when she speaks on issues that affect society. What should the relationship between religion and politics be? This article explores the distinct but complementary relationship between Church and State ... "