A friend told me there are special Mass prayers for our president. Why?
As we celebrate Independence Day, questions about the relationship between church and state always abound. What is the proper relationship of the church to the state? With a new administration in Washington, this question is as significant as ever.
Gaudium et Spes, the Vatican II Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, # 76, is an excellent guide for examining the issue. It states that the church, “by reason of her role and competence, is not identified in any way with the political community nor bound to any political system….The Church and the political community in their own fields are autonomous and independent from each other.” However since both church and state work for the betterment of the common good, it would benefit all humanity if “both foster sounder cooperation between themselves?”
Gaudium et Spes, while counseling “better cooperation” between church and state, claims that there can never be a full union nor should there be a total separation. Both in their own spheres have much to contribute to the common good. Prudence, wisdom, a well-formed conscience and following Jesus are necessary components for any Christian who desires to impact the common good. At the same time we pray that our elected leaders share these qualities. Pray for us and our country’s leaders that together we may always cooperate in promoting what is good.
©2009 Liturgical Publications Inc, New Berlin, WI 53151
Used with permission
