This involves dedication to promoting the common good, particularly through listening to and empowering people who are often overlooked.

The pope was speaking to a group of young Latin American leaders attending a course on politics and the social teaching of the church. The course was supported by the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

"I invite you to live your faith with great freedom, never believing that there exists only one form of political commitment for Catholics, a Catholic party," he told the group last week.

Francis explained present day politics in Latin America needs "a new presence of Catholics".

This doesn't mean just putting "new faces in the electoral campaigns, but mainly new methods that are simultaneously critical and constructive".

Instead, Catholic politicians always look for "the possible good, even if it is modest," he pointed out.

Quoting St Paul VI, Pope Francis explained:

"In concrete situations and taking account of solidarity in each person's life, one must recognise a legitimate variety of possible options. The same Christian faith can lead to different commitments."

This is why Catholic politicians will join different parties and will work with people of other faiths in pursuing the common good, he said.

"Being a Catholic in politics does not mean being a recruit from a group, an organization or a party," but striving to serve others based on one's baptismal calling and strengthened by regular participation in a faith community.

Otherwise, there is a risk of facing "the challenges of power, of strategies, of action" alone.

He defined true democracy for Catholic politicians as recognising that one belongs to a community, to listen to the community and to respond to the real needs of people in the community.

Francis said contemporary Latin America has three groups that need particular attention.

Listening to them offers real hope for finding concrete solutions to the region's problems: women, the young and the poor.

Women, he said, are "a pillar in the building of the church and society," young people have "the dissatisfaction and rebelliousness that are necessary to promote true changes and not merely cosmetic ones" and, through service to and with the poor, he said, "the church shows her fidelity" to Christ.

Source

• Crux Now
• The Catholic Register
• Image: Catholic News Agency

He recently told an Australian Catholic journalist that it had been a great privilege to work with English.

In an interview with Jordan Grantham in the Parramatta Dioceses newspaper, Catholic Outlook, Dew said, "I was always astounded at the breadth of his knowledge, his ability to talk on many issues, and the deep concern he has for people.

"His faith has certainly formed him to be someone who cares for others.

"He has a knowledge of Catholic Social Teaching and he carefully tried to apply that knowledge as prime minister."

Stuff published an opinion piece under the headline "Gentleman Bill English a good model of political civility."

Alex Penk, CEO of the Maxim Institute, an independent research and public policy think tank, said English's long political career was characterised by civility.

He noted that, after English had delivered his valedictory speech, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was one of the first across the floor of the debating chamber to congratulate him.

"Long-time political opponents like Minister of Finance, Grant Robertson and Minister of Education, Chris Hipkins were also among those in a packed chamber showing respect to English," he said.

Penk said English's valedictory speech was a great example of civility. "To the last line, he was full of deep conviction."

Bernard Hickey, in a piece posted in Newsroom under the heading Bill English's legacy of compassionate conservatism, said English "was as genuine and as thoughtful a politician as I've seen in New Zealand."

Hickey said English was able to turn his decency into some policy wins and an economy that has mostly served the nation well.

Source

• catholicoutlook.org
• stuff.co.nz
• newsroom.co.nz
• Image: ozkiwi2001.org

He is the first Catholic vice president of the United States.

Biden is more comfortable than most politicians in talking about how his Catholicism has affected his life and his views.

In his campaign book in 2008 Biden wrote, "My idea of self, of family, of community, of the wider world comes straight from my religion."

He says his beliefs are very important to him and have helped get him through the toughest tragedies, including the tragic death of his first wife and daughter, and the death many years late of his son Beau.

On a recent visit to Ireland he attended Sunday morning Mass at St Peter's Church, Phibsborough.

Last year, Biden had Air Force Two touchdown in Shannon Airport for a stopover en route to Washington after visiting Ukraine.

The vice president had requested a Mass be held in the airport chapel on December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a holy day of obligation.

He carries rosary beads everywhere he goes (and loses them often, but replaces them).

In 2012 Biden told the National Review that he had been a practicing Catholic his whole life. "And it has particularly informed my social doctrine. Catholic social doctrine talks about taking care of those who — who can't take care of themselves, people who need help."

He added that he did not believe in imposing his views on others or using laws to force people of different faiths to conform to his own beliefs.

Biden began his political career as a pro-life Democrat but like many other Catholic Democrats, including Ted Kennedy and Ed Muskie, he changed his mind after Roe v. Wade. "Well, I was 29 years old when I came to the US Senate, and I have learned a lot," Biden said, explaining his switch.

"Look, I'm a practicing Catholic, and it is the biggest dilemma for me in terms of comporting my religious and cultural views with my political responsibility."

Biden became the highest-ranking government official to endorse same-sex marriage in 2012 during an appearance on "Meet the Press"

He has never had a drink of alcohol in his life due to alcoholism running in his family.

Source

• heavy.com
• irishcatholic.ie
• newshub.co.nz
• americamagazine.org
• Image: nzherald.co.nz