A govt threatened by genuine goodness

A govt threatened by genuine goodness
By Editor
Tue 10 Nov. 2009, 04:00 CAT

It is not difficult to see and understand why today the Catholic Church’s relationship with the government has hit its lowest ebb since the re-introduction of the multiparty political system in the country. Why should the relationship with the Church that is doing so much to help the government fulfill its responsibilities to the people be so low?

Is it the Catholic Church that is at fault? Is it the government that is wrong?
We know that this government has accused the Catholic Church of many things, including having a tendency towards genocide. Whenever this government’s decisions and actions have been questioned by the Catholic Church, its reaction has been to challenge the leadership of this church to join politics and contest elections instead of hiding behind the pulpit.

It’s true that the rock of St Peter, on which the Catholic Church was built, is solid and lasting. Throughout history, that institution has demonstrated its experience, its wisdom, and its capacity to adapt to reality.

It must have had some very difficult trials, from the time Galileo was condemned to the nuclear age and space flights, theories on the origin of the galaxies, the laws of evolution, and the advances made in modern biology. But the theologians always came up with explanations; new religious concepts were developed, and steps were taken to adapt the institution to major political, economic and social changes, and scientific discoveries that have taken place in the world.

The Catholic Church is today supporting the legitimate claims of poor people and of all mankind. One doesn’t have to be very perspicacious to realise that we fully support – and this is absolutely consistent with everything we have been stating over the last 18 years – the Catholic Church’s position on many issues, especially its siding with the poor. The Catholic Church is today taking a correct position on the most serious social problems of our times.

The government’s relationship with the Catholic Church is low because this government doesn’t like anyone who pushes it to do good. This is not a government that wants to deal with honest people. It is a government that only welcomes those who support or don’t question its evil dealings. Anyone who tries to question or oppose the wrong things they are doing is an enemy who should be crushed.

There is no honest government that can today look at the Catholic Church as an enemy. We say this because the joys and hopes, the sorrows and anxieties of the men and women of our time, especially of those who are poor or afflicted in any way, are the joys and hopes, the sorrows and anxieties of the Catholic Church.
How can anyone feel threatened and see a church that preaches peace as an enemy? The Catholic Church says if peace is to be established, the primary requisite is to eradicate the cause of dissension between people. It also says that reconciliation cannot remain mere words; it has to be visible in concrete actions where the government has to show the way.

How can a government accuse of genocide a church that says that every person, whether rich or poor, educated or not, blood relative or not, has an equal right to receive health care?

How can a serious government turn against a church that says that the right of all individuals, families and organisations and their practical implementation must be acknowledged, protected and fostered, together with the public duties binding all citizens?

Is it possible for a church that says that the government is the instrument by which people co-operate together in order to achieve the common good to be, at the same time, undermining government? The Catholic Church teaches that an authority is needed to guide the energies of all towards the common good and Christians must be conscious of their specific and proper role in the political community. It also teaches that politics needs people with high credibility. How can such a church be seen to have a genocide attitude and an anti-government stance?

The Catholic Church says that if our country is to move forward, honesty and hard work is demanded of all of us and that work is rooted in respect for human dignity. How can a church that looks at things in this way be seen to be destructive, to be unconstructive in its observations and criticisms?

The Catholic Church is engaged in many social programmes in our country, including in education and health. And it states that its mission is to foster the integral development of the whole person through education. It teaches that authentic education of our children should be based on the conviction that there is more to truth than mere facts. It articulates and facilitates growth in the appreciation of truth, beauty and justice. How can such a church be seen to be an enemy of those in power, of the government?

And when it comes to economic matters, the Catholic Church preaches that economic justice requires that each individual has adequate resources to survive, to develop and thrive, and to give back in service to the community.

The Catholic Church also calls for the responsible use of public funds and believes that economic growth depends, in the first place, on social progress.
When it comes to the fight against corruption and dishonesty, the Catholic Church invites Christians to avoid corruption at all costs and condemn it whenever and wherever they see it.

This is so because the Catholic Church believes that corruption destroys social structure and Christians have a mission to promote transparency, accountability and honesty in society. This church also classifies corruption as a sin that has drastic evil effects because it robs our nation of scarce resources. How can a government that seeks transparency and honesty in its dealings be hostile towards the Catholic Church?
The Catholic Church acknowledges or recognises the fact that there are people in our country who each day cannot meet the basic needs necessary for a decent human life; and accordingly, urges Christians to be more involved in the provision of basic material needs for living, like food, education, health care and housing. And this church urges Christians to advocate just government policies because it is a strict duty of justice and truth not to allow fundamental needs to remain unsatisfied.

And to achieve all these things, the Catholic Church teaches us that as Christians, we must vote wisely and only for people who are known for their honesty, ability, dedication, and concern for the welfare of all. It also says that citizenship demands a positive contribution of everyone, old and young, to build our nation’s future. This includes voting, running for office, volunteering in a civil society organisation, fighting corruption, paying taxes, obeying the laws. How can a church that urges all these things be seen to be an enemy of government?

The Catholic Church urges all our people to make full use of their right to vote and consider it a Christian responsibility to do so. And it urges the participation of Christians in the political life to be guided by gospel values and that as they exercise their freedoms, citizens are bound to responsible behaviour and to respect the freedoms of others. How can such a church be seen to be a bad one?

The Catholic Church sees politics as an area of great importance for promoting justice, peace, development and community among all. It believes that the state has the authority to make final decisions but the people themselves have the right and duty to share in that authority. It regards politics as a vocation, a way of building up society for the common good. Again, how can a church that looks at politics in such a positive way be seen to be an enemy of the government?

But it is not difficult to see why the Catholic Church’s genuinely good intentions are sneered at by this government, why there appears to be a permanent quest to discredit this church and bring it down. Our own and only explanation is that genuine goodness is threatening to those at the opposite end of the moral spectrum.