"By fulfilling their civic duties, guided by a
Christian conscience, in conformity with its values, the lay faithful exercise
their proper task of infusing the temporal order with Christian values, all the
while respecting the nature and rightful autonomy of that order, and
cooperating with other citizens according to their particular competence and
responsibility.
The consequence of this fundamental teaching of the Second
Vatican Council is that the lay faithful are never to relinquish their
participation in “public life”, that is, in the many different economic,
social, legislative, administrative and cultural areas, which are intended to
promote organically and institutionally the common good.
This would include the
promotion and defense of good such as public order and peace, freedom and
equality, respect for human life and for the environment, justice and
solidarity."
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith