Can I be a Christian in private?
In politics, Catholics cannot live a 'private faith.' Pope Francis recently emphasized the importance of Catholics sharing their faith in the public sphere and combating political polarization by supporting person-centered democracy.
"Let us not be deceived by easy solutions. Instead, let us become passionate about the common good," he urged.
The pope spoke strongly about the value of democracy, encouraging participation rather than partisanship, and comparing ideologies to "seductresses."
"As Catholics, we cannot be content with a marginal or private faith on this horizon," the pope stated. "This means not just being heard, but above all having the courage to propose justice and peace in public debates."
The pontiff explained that democracy is intended to give meaning to everyone's commitment to transforming society. It should pay attention to those who are left out or marginalized in economic processes, and provide space for social solidarity in all its forms.
Democracy should also support the return of a caring ethic for the common good and give significance to the development of the country, understood as an overall improvement in quality of life, collective coexistence, democratic participation, and genuine freedom.
He emphasized the importance of solidarity and subsidiarity and condemned a certain "welfare-ism" attitude that fails to recognize the dignity of people, labeling it as "social hypocrisy."
Solidarity among individuals is necessitated by the fundamental equality of all people who share the same rational nature. Society is not just a collection of individuals; it is strengthened by organic connections among its members, who are called to form a unified family. The interests and concerns of each member should not be alien to the others.
All individuals are destined for the same goal, namely God Himself, as they have been created in the likeness of God, who "made every nation of men who live on all the face of the earth."
Solidarity is also required by the supernatural end to which all human beings are called. God desires humans to attain salvation as members of a society. Therefore, He has established the Church, in which everyone cooperates for the common good. This type of solidarity is expressed in the dogma of the communion of saints.
Alongside the principle of solidarity, the principle of subsidiarity must also be applied. What individuals can achieve through their own initiative should not be taken away and given to the community; it would be unjust to assign to a larger organization what smaller and subordinate ones can do. Hence, the higher association should never destroy or absorb the smaller one.
The supreme authority of the State should, therefore, allow subordinate groups to handle matters and concerns of lesser importance. By doing so, the State can freely and effectively carry out its unique responsibilities, such as directing, monitoring, encouraging, and restraining, as the situation requires and necessity demands.
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