The first amendment to the Constitution states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” So, the Church may speak out with regard to policies and the common good. And the Church does! She speaks out against injustice. She speaks out for human dignity. She speaks out for what is good and true and beautiful.
Sometimes this means the Church has a position on important issues, such as abortion, same-sex, so-called, marriage, immigration reform, freedom of religion, physician-assisted suicide, embryonic stem cell research, and so forth. She is protected by the Constitution to speak out. This is not getting involved with politics. This is providing a moral compass for society.
What the Church does not do, and is prohibited by the Internal Revenue Code from doing, is participate or intervene in a political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate. This is where the Church draws the line. However, the Church encourages us to be involved in politics!
Read more about participation in social life in the Catechism, paragraphs 1897-1927.
Know your faith. Live your faith. Teach your faith.
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