504. Whether out of an exaggerated old-fashioned laicism, or an ethical relativism proposed as the foundation of democracy, powerful groups claim seek to reject any presence and contribution from the Church in the public life of nations, and pressure it to retire to church buildings and its “religious” services.
Sometimes this may be because it is the clergy who usurp the role of the laity. I think Pope John Paul II was correct to direct clergy to remove themselves from political office. Such and similar roles are inappropriate.
I would also agree with this stance:
Conscious of the distinction between political community and religious community, the basis for a healthy secularity, the Church will not shrink from being concerned for the common good of peoples, especially for the defense of ethical principles that are non-negotiable because they are rooted in human nature.
For deeper examination, an English translation of the 2007 document from the Aparecida Conference.
Catholic Sensibility 