Pasaulietiškumo samprata Bažnyčios mokyme dėl katalikų veiklos politikoje
The church’s doctrine on the conception of secular concerning catholic political activities

Summary/Abstract: In today’s democratic societies the citizens both Christians and non-Christians participate in politics. Their interdialogue is one of great importance. Unfortunately, this dialogue is not always properly formulated. The conception of “secular” is erroneously interpreted, it is differently perceived by political liberal society and Catholic theology. There is a groundless tendency to deny the Catholics right to work in politics for the good of general welfare. The Church’s documents on Catholic activities in politics claim the true comprehension of the notions used in a civil every day language which acquires different meaning due to historical and cultural background. On November 24, 2002 the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith published the Doctrinal Note on some questions regarding The Participation of Catholics in Political Life in which the principles of secularity were meaningly discussed, the correct understanding of that notion was highlighted and all lay members of the Faith were called to participate in political life of democratic societies. Having regained the Independence in Lithuania and establishing human rights the possibilities of faithful citizens to seek the truth and to defend moral virtues are being discussed in social - political life. The object of substantiating the society development by claims rooted in the human nature and the natural moral law is indicted on violation Church – State separation and on defiance the tolerance of non-believers. For this reason the Catholic politicians and all believers participating in politics and open discourse are to cognize the conception of secular defined by the Church’s Magisterium. The objective of the paper: to disclose the conception of secular on Catholic activities in politics in the Church’s doctrine. The tasks: 1) to present the development of the “secular” conception in the European political mind history; 2) to discuss “secularity” which must be the guide for Catholic political activities. The concept of secular has been argumented on the relations between spiritual and civil rulers, the independence and separation of sacerdotium and regnum. It has enriched the European political mind history, legalized the Church and the State separation. The Catholic political activities must recognize the rightful autonomy of the Church and the State without separating the civil sphere from morality. The Church’s Doctrine aims at preservation of politics and morality integrity, encourages Catholics at testifying the Gospel virtues in their civil activities so as secularity should turn into the space for respectful dialogue among citizens and peoples.

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