The Catholic Church teaches that political engagement is a moral obligation for all citizens, rooted in their baptismal commitment to follow Jesus Christ and bear Christian witness in all aspects of life 1 2. This participation is considered a virtue and a lofty vocation, one of the highest forms of charity, as it seeks the common good 1.

Foundations of Catholic Political Engagement

• Dignity of the Human Person and Common Good: At the core of Catholic moral and social teaching is respect for the dignity of every person 3. Political engagement should be shaped by moral convictions focused on the dignity of every human being, the pursuit of the common good, and the protection of the weak and vulnerable 1 4. The common good embraces all conditions of social life that allow individuals, families, and organizations to achieve their fulfillment 5.
• Moral Obligation: The Catechism of the Catholic Church emphasizes that "it is necessary that all participate, each according to his position and role, in promoting the common good. This obligation is inherent in the dignity of the human person.... As far as possible citizens should take an active part in public life" 1 2.
• Charity and Justice: Political activity should be animated by charity, understood as "social charity" 3. Charity and justice are inseparable; both demand the full recognition of individual rights, to which society's structures and institutions are ordered 5. Working for a just order in society is a direct task of the lay faithful 6.

Roles of Clergy and Laity

• Complementary Roles: Clergy and lay people have complementary roles in public life 1 4.
• Bishops and Clergy: Bishops have the primary responsibility to hand on the Church’s moral and social teaching. Along with priests and deacons, they are to teach fundamental moral principles, provide guidance on the moral dimensions of public decisions, and encourage the faithful to fulfill their political responsibilities 1. Church leaders avoid endorsing or opposing candidates 1. The Church's role is to help form consciences and stimulate insight into the requirements of justice, not to take on the political battle or replace the State, but also not to remain on the sidelines in the fight for justice 1.
• Lay Faithful: The direct duty to work for a just order in society belongs to the lay faithful 1 6. They are called to participate actively in public life—in economic, social, legislative, administrative, and cultural areas—to promote the common good 5. Their involvement should be guided by moral convictions rather than attachment to a political party, and they should strive to transform their party if necessary, rather than letting the party transform them away from fundamental moral truths 1 4. They are called to bring their principles and political choices together to build a "civilization of truth and love" 1.

Principles for Engagement

• Moral Convictions over Partisan Attachment: Catholics should be guided more by their moral convictions than by loyalty to a political party or interest group 1 4.
• Service and Integrity: The spirit of service, competence, and efficiency are fundamental to exercising political power virtuously. This requires overcoming temptations such as disloyalty, falsehood, misuse of public funds, and illicit means of acquiring power 5.
• Autonomy and Witness: While respecting the autonomy of earthly realities, the lay faithful must bear witness to human and Gospel values intimately connected with political activity, such as liberty, justice, solidarity, unselfish dedication, a simple lifestyle, and a preferential love for the poor 5.
• Solidarity: Political solidarity involves the active and responsible participation of all in public life, from individual citizens to various groups and political parties. It is a "firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good, that is to say, to the good of all and of each individual, because we are all really responsible for all" 5 6.

Conclusion

In essence, the Church views political engagement as an indispensable aspect of Christian life, a means by which the faithful contribute to the common good and bear witness to Christ's teachings in the public square. This engagement is to be characterized by moral integrity, a focus on human dignity, and a commitment to justice and charity, with distinct but complementary roles for clergy and laity.