Statement on clerics and political space

The Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference issued a statement clarifying the role of priests and the Church regarding political involvement. The document emphasizes that while Christians have a responsibility to help build a just society and advance the common good, the specific duty of the Church and its ministers is to proclaim the Gospel.

The statement notes that the Church does not belong to any political, economic, or social system. Drawing on the Second Vatican Council's pastoral constitution, Gaudium et Spes, the bishops explain that the Church exists within the world rather than being set apart from it. This presence is intended to guide how Christians engage with society while maintaining the Church's independence from political structures.