Social commitment

(47) For many of our contemporaries whose subjectivity has been ideologically “demolished”, so to speak, marriage appears to be more or less unthinkable.  For these persons, the reality of marriage has no meaning.  In what way can the Church’s pastoral care be an event of salvation for them too?  In this sense, the political and legislative commitment of Catholics who have responsibilities in this area is decisive.  Laws constitute to a great extent the “ethos” of a people.  With regard to this point, it seems very useful to make an appeal to overcome the temptation to be indifferent in the political-legislative area, and to stress the need for public witness to the dignity of the person. As we said earlier, making de facto unions equivalent to the family implies an alteration in the system for the common good of society, and this is detrimental to the institution of the family based on marriage.  Therefore, it is an evil for persons, families and societies.  What is “politically possible” and its evolution over time cannot be detached from the ultimate principles of truth about the human person which must inspire attitudes, concrete initiatives and future programs.[100][100] It also seems useful to criticize the “dogma” of the inseparable connection between democracy and ethical relativism that is at the basis of many legislative attempts to make de facto unions equivalent to the family.