As we kick off the political conventions this week, and especially in light of the violence at Saturday’s presidential campaign event, it seems appropriate to reflect upon the proper role of politics and democracy in society.

Our Catholic social teaching makes a distinction between the civil society, which is prior to the political community. Additionally, as people of faith, the priority of God, Creator and redeemer of all, source of all life and its ultimate destiny, precedes all else. For Christians, the Gospel values inform our vision of the common good of all society.

The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church speaks of democracy in these terms:

  • An authentic democracy is not merely the result of a formal observation of a set of rules but is the fruit of a convinced acceptance of the values that inspire democratic procedures: the dignity of every human person, the respect of human rights, commitment to the common good as the purpose and guiding criterion for political life. If there is no general consensus on these values, the deepest meaning of democracy is lost, and its stability is compromised. (Compendium, paragraph 407)

In a July 7 visit to Trieste, Pope Francis spoke about a healthy democracy, in which he had a number of things to say worthy of our prayerful consideration. His early remarks in this address seem helpful this summer during this election cycle:

  • Blessed Giuseppe Toniolo, who initiated this event in 1907, stated that democracy can be defined as “that civil order in which all social, legal, and economic forces, in the fullness of their hierarchical development, cooperate proportionally for the common good, ultimately benefiting the lower classes predominantly.” This is what Toniolo said. In light of this definition — let’s be honest — it is evident that democracy is not in good health in today’s world. This concerns and worries us because the well-being of mankind is at stake, and nothing human can be alien to us. — Pope Francis, July 7, 2024

The Holy Father goes on to reflect upon the importance of healing the wounds of our present society for democracy to truly flourish. All of us are aware of the many divisions that plague the human family today, especially within the political community. One observation of Pope Francis seemed particularly acute for our needs today, in that he calls us to recognize our unity as a “people”:

  • Fraternity makes social relationships flourish; and on the other hand, taking care of each other requires the courage to think of ourselves as a single people. It takes courage to think of oneself as a people, not as I or my clan, my family, my friend. Unfortunately, this category — “people” — is often misunderstood and “could lead to the elimination of the very notion of democracy as ‘government by the people’. If we wish to maintain that society is more than a mere aggregate of individuals, the term ‘people’ proves necessary”, which is not the same as populism. No, it is something else: the people. Indeed, “it is extremely difficult to carry out a long-term project unless it becomes a collective aspiration”. A democracy with a healed heart continues to cultivate dreams for the future, engages, and calls for personal and community involvement. Dream of the future. Do not fear that. — Pope Francis, July 7, 2024

Five years ago, the U.S. bishops introduced a campaign titled Civilize It, aimed at a better political process. I encourage you to take a look at this website and take the pledge to engage in the political process with respectful and civil dialogue. This is another good source of information that allows our faith to inform our actions, which as missionary disciples are always to be concrete and charitable, aimed at building the Kingdom of God in society today.

From the Mass readings today, we hear a timely instruction: “Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow” (Isaiah 1:17). Justice, the common good of all people, is the goal of a healthy society, and of politics. Christ does send his disciples into the world to proclaim the Gospel, but we must be wise in the distinction of how we carry out this core mission of the Church. Another quote from the Compendium of Social Doctrine seems helpful:

  • For the Church, therefore, tending to the needs of man means that she also involves society in her missionary and salvific work. The way people live together in society often determines the quality of life and therefore the conditions in which every man and woman understand themselves and make decisions concerning themselves and their vocation. For this reason, the Church is not indifferent to what is decided, brought about or experienced in society; she is attentive to the moral quality – that is, the authentically human and humanizing aspects – of social life. Society – and with it, politics, the economy, labor, law, culture – is not simply a secular and world reality, and therefore outside or foreign to the message and economy of salvation. (Compendium, paragraph 62)

May the Lord purify our hearts that we may be capable of building a better society through a healthy democratic process.