Bogoslovska smotra, Vol. 77 No. 2, 2007.
Original scientific paper
Pope Benedict XVI. about the Church, State and Politics
Ivica Raguž
orcid.org/0000-0002-0083-0325
; Catholic Faculty of Theology in Djakovo, University of Josip Juraj Strossmayer, Djakovo, Croatia
Abstract
The article presents Pope Benedict XVIth's thoughts about relations between the Church, the State and politics. There are two basic social contexts to his thoughts: Marxist ideology and democratic society. Within this dual context, Benedict XVIth develops his notion of relations between the Church and State and politics in general and the Church's mission. The first part of the article is dedicated to Benedict XVIth's fundamental theories about the Church, State and politics within the problem of Marxist ideology and political theology. For Benedict XVIth Marxist ideology is problematic for two reasons: the reduced notion of reasons and the incorrect philosophy of history. Apart from that, Marxist ideology emerges from a deep reprisal of reality. The background to this hate is an apocalyptic-Gnostic thought and its radical negative interpretation of the world. The Pope does not see danger in Marxist ideology only in communist systems but in theology itself and most of all in political theology: in the theology of freedom and the new political theology of German theologian Johann Baptist Metz. Some theories cite the Pope's notion of relations between the Church, State and politics in the context of Marxist ideology and political theology. The second part of the article presents the Pope's critical thoughts about the dangers of democratically ordered countries. Modem democratic society has abandoned the illusion of creating God's Kingdom on earth. Now society, politics and the State are endeavouring to be based exclusively on progress that is positivistic and pragmatic. Benedict XVIth does not accept this notion of society. As such Benedict XVIth highlights the critical importance for the Church for the State and politics in a democratic society so that they do not become an organised criminal gang. Several theories present the Pope's basic theories about relations between the Church, State and politics in today's democratic society. The actuality of his theories is even stronger in debates between his philosophy and that ofJ urgen Habermas which are briefty presented in the discussion.
Keywords
Benedict XVIth; Church; State; politics; political theory; Marxism
Hrčak ID:
23216
URI
Publication date:
29.11.2007.
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