What are the responsibilities of the Catholic laity in the public square?
Through Baptism, the laity are called to holiness of life (i.e., to live their faith in God day in and day out). Their responsibilities are not meant to be merely a matter of personal piety or devotion, but also directed toward evangelization in all aspects of life. A lay person in the public square has a particular responsibility to live his or her vocation in view of its unique impact on society. Those involved with the noble art of politics, for example, often are in a position to influence societal norms on matters of real significance by passing or defeating various legislative proposals. Similarly, there are others in the public square who, while not serving as elected officials, nonetheless are in a position to shape the society and culture. For these individuals, especially those involved with all forms of the mass media, a significant part of their responsibilities is to live their faith by promoting the common good in society. What difference should Catholics make in public l
