Should the Catholic church be showing the world an alternative system to what politicians promote?

Question

To my way of thinking the Church (Catholic church for this example, but could be any religious faith) always comes out with rhetoric about forgiveness, sharing, love one another and so on. All totally right. However, should the Church come forward with a viable and workable plan for all countries to adopt so we can all live in a better world? I feel, at times, that although the Church always promotes the right message regarding moral issues, for most people living in the real world it is often impossible to live their lives in tune with the teachings. I, for example, am totally against abortion, but if there is an impoverished young girl who is unable to feed her child because she cannot get any income to buy food then she is in a terribly difficult situation. What, in this, and many other cases, can the Church do to put pressure on governments to change the way the system operates so that the young girl in my example can have her child and can feed it.

Answer 1

http://supplytheword.blogspot.com/2006/07/there-is-only-one-high-priest.html#links

Answer 2

Actualy the Catholic Church does have an alternate social program.

Buy these books

OFFICIAL CATHOLIC POSITIONS
Compendium Of The Social Doctrine Of The Church (Paperback)
by Pontifical Council For Justice And Peace

POSITIONS BY CATHOLICS
City of God by St. Augustine
Liberalism Is a Sin by Don Felix Sarda Y. Salvany
Utopia by St. Thomas More

There are plenty more where that came from.

The Catholic Church can only place so much pressure on governments that reject her moral authority. It can also only place so much pressure on Catholics. Look at the posts on this site by so called "Catholics".

We live in an age where the Church is very weak politically, especially in Europe and America. Thus I would not look for the Church to speak forcefully at government, but rather softly and seek to affect change through the peoples of the Church, as witnesses to truth rather than dictators. In some ages the Church will have that authority and it is appropriate for that age.

To answer the poster above, Vatican II does not promote an absolute separation between Church and State. That is being read into the document. The Church is not the State. The Church has power over the State, but the State has no power over the Church. In other words, the Church is not a part of the State and never should attempt to be a part of the State. However, aspects of the State are a part of the Church (by the very nature of the State being comprised of the people). The more the State follows natural law and the larger percentage of the population of the State is a part of the Church, the more the Church and the State will walk hand in hand. When the State is far from the Church, then the Church is called on to correct and inform the State. The Church envisions that sometimes there will be Catholic States, and sometimes not.

One more thing, the Catholic Church very clearly teaches that any attempt, especially that of a political power, that tries to establish a kingdom on earth that is cut off from God, and looking towards God, is anti-Christ. So in a very real sense, a political "utopia" is not from God.

Answer 3

The Church can only recommend that governments change for the better. That is one of the utmost purposes of the separation of Church and State. (Also because at the time they were one in the same...well, it just got ugly.)

The Church urges its people to do what is right and be responsible citizens, and that is all it can do. From there, people choose their government perhaps based on their beliefs, perhaps not. It's up to them. The resulting governing body SHOULD follow the will of the people for whom they were elected, but which people and how gets very sketchy in the political process.

In essence the Church already has a plan that it believes every nation should adopt: one of social justice and compassion, but not many countries accept it, for whatever reason.

It all goes back to the fact that the Church as an institution cannot affect the change in the government. However, the PEOPLE can. And should.

Answer 4

Although what you say sounds like a good idea it has many faults.
Do you honestly think that every Christian church is actually Christian?? They are only when you agree with them.

The Church, although they all talk a good game have no real sympathy for the poor or they would stop keeping the money they receive and give it all to the poor.

Most evangelical ministers live like kings.

The Catholic church is more interested in controlling than saving. I know this because I was raised a Catholic.

There are many fine true Christians mixed in with all of this mess and I am not putting them down. But to expect any organized religion to do anything that is not self serving is to expect more than they are capable of. And to suggest that they show governments what to do is to impose religion on people who may not want it. Sorry good premise --bad idea.

Answer 5

I think you have an excellent point. Churches (like it or not) are in a position of great influence, but to say "hey don't do that" or "the answers are in the bible" simply isn't enough. I think to an extent, some church communities will work within their own communities' shelters, food banks/soup kitchens, etc, but these services are only putting a bandaid on a much MUCH bigger problem. Does anyone have a solution for a perfect world? Clearly not, but why not use your influence to inspire practical change?!

Answer 6

Most questions on this forum are upset that the Catholic Church already tells people what to do too often. You are suggesting that they increase these efforts.

I disagree. It is our (not the Church's) responsibility as citizens of our countries to apply Christian principles in all aspects of our lives including the government.

We are adults and need to act like adults, not look for others to make all decisions for us.

It is the Church leadership's job to teach and sanctify. They have to govern the Church but not the world.

With love in Christ.

Answer 7

The Catholic Church experimented with temporal power for a millenium and a half. I think it would be an understatement to say that it did not work out.

Instead, at Vatican II, the church sought to define a new way of seeing its role in society, and the document Gaudium et Spes is the document where it expressed that role:

http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_cons_19651207_gaudium-et-spes_en.html