Personal values and public choices of Catholic politicians

Abstract

According to most current social theorists, the world is experiencing a resurgence of religion and religious doctrines are no longer confined in private spheres but are influencing the political realm. In this study I will investigate whether Catholics should be concerned with politics and how they can give a positive contribution to a democratic political order, without imposing personal values on the larger community. I will then examine how a Catholic politician can bear witness to his faith without compromising his values for the sake of a political agenda. Through bibliographical research I will first present a number of authors and their respective positions on how and to what extent personal religious convictions of politicians can affect the political sphere. Then, I will give a detailed analysis of the abortion controversy during the 2004 United States presidential campaign, to demonstrate the relevance of this study and show how Catholic politicians can bear witness of their faith in the democratic public arena.