The bishops pointed out yesterday that it was not right for members of the Church to hold an office in Church bodies when they were also members of the administration of a political party, or candidates for a political party, or members of or candidates for local councils.

Archbishop Pawl Cremona, OP, and Gozo Bishop Mario Grech said the Catholic Church taught and encouraged its members to take part in political life and work, according to the Gospel. They also recalled Pope John Paul II’s apostolic exhortation that lay people could not in any way refrain from taking part in political life.

The bishops urged lay Christians who felt they had the qualities, preparation and calling to contribute to political activity for the common good, to do so, and expressed gratitude to those who worked in the sector, on a European, national or local level.

At the same time they said it should remain clear that the Church could in no way be involved with the political community. The distinction should remain clear between what Christians did individually or together in their own name as citizens, and those activities that they conducted in the name of the Church, with their spiritual leaders and it should also remain clear that the Church and the political community were in their own spheres, independent of each other, and autonomous.