Question: If we have a separation of church and state, how should faith influence the way we act in society, especially for those who have a role in the government?

Answer: No matter who we are, our inner lives affect the way we interact with the world. In the United States, we have freedom of religion. That means there is no official state-sanctioned religion. This does not mean that our faith is a private affair with no impact on public life! We have the ability to freely exercise our religious beliefs in accord with our conscience. Not only do we have the option to do so, but we also have the responsibility.

We’re called to imitate Christ in every area of our life, not compartmentalize our faith. This means acting with respect and honoring the common humanity all we encounter. It means recognizing the person behind the politics. It also means standing up for the truth of human life and dignity, and advocating for just policies that serve the common good. The Vatican has produced a “Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church.” It contains more detailed exposition of how our Catholic faith relates to various aspects of public life.