By Ajay Raj –
Aristotle called politics as master science. We may be prejudiced, but we think he was right. The study of politics is the study of people and societies struggling with great and enduring issues – war and peace, order and freedom, and justice and equality. Understanding how and why those issues are resolved, or fail to be resolved, is at the heart of what we study. Well, this is what political science is all about.
Here I’m going to make an attempt to discuss the question “Should Priests bother about politics”? or “Should priests comment on politics” based on my personal understanding and views regarding the same.
In today’s world, there’s politics everywhere. While few enjoy this, others have cultivated a strong aversion and loath towards it. Politics is not about whether you enjoy it or not rather it is an integral part of our social responsibility.
The other day, one of my friends was talking about religion. To be more specific he was talking about Catholicism. As he was making his arguments he said: “It is disheartening to know that some Catholic priests are actively sharing political posts and commenting on political issues on Facebook and WhatsApp”. I immediately asked him what was wrong in it. Though he tried to persuade me by presenting his argument, I was not convinced because he spoke about the “religious” side of it whereas my question dealt upon reality side of it. His approach was spiritual and abiding by the Canon Law whereas mine was a pragmatic approach.
As per my understanding, the Canon Law says that:
- A priest cannot run for a political office or hold any political office.
- He, by any means, should not demand his parishioners to take any political side or ask them to vote for a particular party.
Nowhere it is mentioned that a priest is forbidden to share political posts or comment on them. Today, especially in India, there’s a need for raising or creating political awareness in the people. In order to create this awareness, we have to be aware of the current affairs and be consciously clear about our principles.
I strongly support those priests who are aware of the current affairs and current political phenomena of the country and are creating awareness by commenting on political issues and sharing political posts on social platforms.
During an informal question-and-answer session with members of Italy’s Christian Life Community and the Student Missionary League — groups inspired by Ignatian spirituality, Pope Francis said that “Catholics must get involved in politics even if it may be “dirty,” frustrating and fraught with failure! Given today’s “throwaway” culture and so many problems unfolding in the world, “Do I as a Catholic watch from my balcony? No, you can’t watch from the balcony. Get right in there!”
Pope Francis categorically says that we including priests cannot simply watch over the injustice and malice that’s done in the society by the evil forces rather we have to get into the field and work towards the betterment of the society.
To be simple and understandable, here I quote Fr. Dwight Longenecker, a columnist who writes… “The Church is clear that a priest is not supposed to run for political office. We are also advised not to tell our people who to vote for. Nor are we supposed to actively campaign, endorse or publicly support particular candidates or parties. But should we comment on politics? Maybe we shouldn’t get involved in politics, but we can certainly comment on morality. Indeed it is our duty to comment on the morality or immorality of certain issues.
If a party or candidate supports abortion, genocide or euthanasia we must speak out about it. If a candidate or party support indiscriminate deportation or incarceration we should speak out about it. If a party or candidate supports torture, killing of innocent civilians and indiscriminate bombing we should speak out about it. If a candidate or party support the widespread and indiscriminate use of capital punishment we should speak out about it. If a candidate or party supports the oppression of the poor, an unfair wage and destruction of the family we should speak out about it. If a candidate or party supports the breakdown of a marriage, sexual immorality and moral corruption of the young we should speak out about it”.
Again it’s a choice. To comment or not, to share or not depends upon the personal understanding of a priest about politics and social issues. In India, we have priests who well know about politics and are comprehensively aware of the need to voice out our opinions but sadly the majority of them are hesitant or afraid or wish to be on the safer side of it. I’m happy to see priests who are in my friend list on Facebook sharing posts and commenting on social issues. This not only shows their concern towards a better society but also raises a silent yet powerful socio-political awareness among the ignorant masses.
Ajay Raj is a freelance journalist and author.