.- Speaking
earlier today to a group of parliamentarians from Europe’s Popular
Party, Pope Benedict affirmed the need for a Catholic voice in the
public square that informs consciences and helps citizens act “freely
and responsibly.”
The Church has
come under heavy fire in recent years--particularly in the U.S.--for
engaging in political debate where some say it has no place. Critics
charge that many politicians worldwide seek to relegate faith life
merely to the private sphere.
Benedict
reminded the parliamentarians however, "that when Churches or ecclesial
communities intervene in public debate, expressing reservations or
recalling various principles, this does not constitute a form of
intolerance or interference.”
He said that the
Church’s political interventions “are aimed solely at enlightening
consciences, enabling them to act freely and responsibly, according to
the true demands of justice, even when this should conflict with
situations of power and personal interest."
In this light,
the Pope said that the main area of the Church's intervention in the
public sphere "is the protection and promotion of the dignity of the
person.” “…She is thereby consciously drawing particular attention to
principles which are not negotiable."
Here, he listed
a number of principles for which Catholics must continue to fight.
Namely, these are: "Protection of life in all its stages, from the
first moment of conception until natural death; recognition and
promotion of the natural structure of the family, as a union between a
man and a woman based on marriage, and its defense from attempts to
make it juridically equivalent to radically different forms of union
which in reality harm it and contribute to its destabilization,
obscuring its particular character and its irreplaceable social role;
and the protection of the right of parents to educate their children.”
While he
admitted that "These principles are not truths of faith, even though
they receive further light and confirmation from faith,” he stressed
that “they are inscribed in human nature itself and therefore they are
common to all humanity.”
The Pope
explained that “The Church's action in promoting them is therefore not
confessional in character, but is addressed to all people, irrespective
of any religious affiliation they may have."
He closed by
calling on the politicians "to be credible and consistent witnesses of
these basic truths through your political activity, and more
fundamentally through your commitment to live authentic and consistent
lives."
