The Church’s Mission 

The Church is a community of disciples of Jesus Christ, founded by him to continue his presence in the world by being its salt and light. In his priestly prayer, recorded in the Gospel of John, Jesus prayed that his disciples would be united (John 17:21). This unity is both the foundation of the Church and a source of its strength. Jesus also warned that a house divided against itself cannot stand. Every member therefore shares responsibility for preserving and strengthening the unity of the Church. 

The Second Vatican Council’s Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, Gaudium et Spes, offers a clear account of the Church’s relationship with society. The document, produced during Vatican II (1962–1965), affirms that the Church is in the world and not set apart from it. This presence shapes how Christians live and act in society. A Christian is someone who has made a fundamental choice for Christ, and that commitment becomes the guiding horizon for engaging with the world.

Serving the Common Good

The principle of the common good calls citizens to participate in the political life of their country and to “give Caesar what belongs to Caesar” (Matthew 22:21). Christians, therefore, have the responsibility for building a just and peaceful society and must play their part in advancing the common good. The particular responsibility of the Church and its sacred ministers, however, is to proclaim the Gospel to all people.

Political Independence

The Church does not belong to any political, economic or social system. It is neither a political party nor a supporter of any political power, and attempts to align it with a particular ideology or economic system compromise its mission. The Fathers of Vatican II made this clear: “the Church, by reason of her role and competency, is not identified with any political system” (Gaudium et Spes, 76). Clerics and other Church officials should therefore not use their positions to influence the people of God to vote for a particular party or political power. Priests, especially, are called to serve all people fairly and justly.

The Priest as a Source of Unity

As alter Christus (another Christ) a priest is expected to serve all the people of God, regardless of their economic, social or political affiliation. Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, reached out to everyone without discrimination. A priest who publicly embraces a particular political ideology risk dividing the community he has been sent to unite and serve. 

A priest should be a source of unity in his parish. The Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests, Presbyterorum Ordinis, states: “Priests exercise the role of Christ as Pastor and Head in proportion to their share of authority. In the name of the Bishop they gather the family of God as sisters and brothers endowed with the spirit of unity and lead it to Christ through the Spirit to God the Father…” (6). The priest’s task is to bring the diverse views within his parish into dialogue with the Gospel of Christ as taught by the Church.

What Canon Law Says

Canon 287 §2 states: “They [clerics] are not to play an active role in political parties or in directing trade unions unless, in the judgement of the competent ecclesiastical authority, this is required for the defence of the rights of the Church or to promote the common good.” In practice, clerics should not be seen to promote a political party. Their duty is to help people exercise their civic responsibilities according to conscience. Active partisan involvement by a cleric risk dividing the community. 

The canon nevertheless allows an exception: the competent ecclesiastical authority may permit a cleric to take an active political role when this is necessary to defend the rights of the Church or promote justice, equality and the common good. A cleric seeking such permission would first need to present the matter and the reasons for the request to the competent ecclesiastical authority. Those reasons must remain consistent with Church teaching and the pursuit of the common good. The authority would then evaluate the request prudently, taking account of the Church’s teaching and the distinctive ministry of clerics, and may grant or deny it. 

In 1994, and in the period that followed, Fr Simangaliso Mkhatshwa sought permission from his bishop to take an active role in politics in support of South Africa’s transition to democracy. His request was granted. The request was granted after deliberations and consultations.

End: 

Fr Nhlanhla Mchunu

SACBC Associate Secretary General