Podstawy i obszary uczestnictwa katolików w życiu publicznym

Abstract

Participation of Catholics in public life is, on the one hand, a moral obligation, and on the other, a pastoral and apostolic task and vocation implemented in the social dimension. Use of social means and facilities is an important feature of social pastorate and apostolate. This is especially important in the dimension of public social life that requires exerting a broad evangelization influence. Engagement of Catholics in public life has natural and supernatural grounds. Natural grounds include: the desire for personal development, realization of man’s social nature and creating common good. The supernatural ground is constituted by God’s call for carrying on the work of creation and for making the earth subject to man (Gen. 1, 28), participation in Christ’s work of redemption and the call for developing God’s kingdom on earth. Participation of Christians in public life should include three vast areas of social activity: culture, politics and economy. However, just indicating these areas is not enough. The dynamics of civilization processes requires constant revision of Catholics’ tasks in the sphere of social life and establishing priorities that result from reading the signs of the times.