Catholic leaders in a secular world

In today’s secular world, devout Catholics have to fight for their dignity. They are often belittled when they show any sign of compassion, patience, charity, kindness or humility. They are also humbled and ridiculed.

Like all good citizens, they should both be subject to their lawful superiors, and if need be seek these positions of authority themselves.

The Catholic Church states that it is the role of the laity to govern the secular world in accordance with divine law. As Catholics we possess the fullness of truth; we possess the key to suffering in the world. True leadership and sacrifice are indivisible.

All great leaders face great sacrifice for a righteous cause. They not only give orders but also gain the respect of their subordinates and work well under pressure.

They endure ostracism, taunts, threats, fears and insults. They try to win over these evils by facing them with love and consideration for their persecutors, and complete trust in the wisdom of God for their salvation.

It is not easy for them to act in this way but Christ is with them, every step of the way.

Secularism in terms of political leadership simply means the separation of Church and state. It does not mean leaders have to be immoral, or that they should necessarily support morally relativistic laws, and they do not have to be meek all the time. But very often, secular leaders forfeit moral honesty and truth to appeal to the masses.

They have to sacrifice some moral principle of theirs if they want to stay in. They may vote against abortion and then enter an unjust war for oil.

If more politicians were less concerned with their re-election the world would surely have better governments.

In Animal Farm, George Orwell shows that those in a position of power cannot remain true to their original aims or beliefs. I agree completely. It is very difficult for Catholics who base their entire existence on God through Church teaching to be solid leaders in today’s secular world.