On April 22, I attended a seminar on the socioeconomic aspects of Pope Francis’s Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), at the Seminary in Tal-Virtù.

The main speakers were Paul Pace SJ, Jesuit provincial, Michael Bonello, former Central Bank governor, and Sue Vella, social policy university lecturer.

It was heartening to see among the audience President Emeritus George Abela and former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi. But where were our present parliamentarians? Has morality become anathema to our politicians?

The Pope’s Exhortation is primarily addressed to politicians and the Church.

How long are we going to hear from our leaders the same mantra – render to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s, alluding to the separation of powers between Church and State?

Shouldn’t we build bridges rather than walls? Why don’t leaders of both parties admit that as a Christian population, the social teaching of the Church helps us build a more just society?

The Pope’s document, des-cribed as “the spiritual government’s policy statement”, deals with peace, social justice, the role of women, the family, faith and politics and the economy. Are not these areas the main concern of our politicians?

The Church’s social doctrine is there to enlighten our leaders when formulating policies and not to dictate what has to be done.

The politicians are the decision makers but the Church’s teaching on social issues helps one reach a more holistic and balanced solution to the daily problems that come up in our secular and pluralistic society.

Let us, once for all, stop looking at the Church as a taboo. With its insistence on the absolute values of subsidiarity, solidarity and the common good, the Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium helps our politicians embrace those values that are timeless and is a stepping stone towards more cooperation between Church and State.