Is it permissible for clergy to participate in public life?
Those who have accepted the gift of the priesthood have as their main purpose the regeneration of human souls and leading them to the eternal Kingdom of God. Priests must not be diverted from this apostolic work and waste time in worldly matters. No one else can give the people what the priest gives them, and nothing can be compared to those eternal blessings to which he leads the people. Therefore, a priest must not dare to become distracted from his duties and become occupied with even beneficial worldly affairs; he must bear in mind that he is the guardian of human souls and will give an answer at the Dread Judgment of God for every sheep which perished through his negligence. The Apostles gave an example when disputes rose up among them concerning the distribution of goods, saying, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables (Acts 6:2).
The Church canons strictly forbid clergy to be occupied with worldly concerns and undertake public duties. That does not mean, however, that the clergy can completely withdraw from all worldly affairs. People consist of soul and body, and it is impossible, while caring for the soul, to completely forget about the needs of the body. The Lord commanded us to show love for our neighbor through works of mercy, concerning which He will question us at the Dread Judgment. Many hierarchs and saints were active participants in events occurring in their times, and sometimes they even headed governments, but this happened only in cases of exigency. When it is necessary to save people from disaster, when the participation of the pastor is required in order to direct his flock on the right path, the pastor does not dare remain apathetic or neutral. He not only may, but he must come to their aid, concerning himself with both personal as well as public matters. It is the duty of the pastor to urge the people to give alms and, if necessary, to become the leader of a charitable organization, directing public affairs according to the spirit of the teachings of Christ.
At the same time, however, he must always remain a priest and a pastor. It is inadmissible for him to join some party and be in submission to its discipline. It is likewise improper for the pastor to be immersed in the purely worldly side of public affairs. He should let the laymen do everything they can, while striving himself to concentrate on spiritual matters, which are the work of a pastor. The priesthood is the light of the world, and its role in public life must be to sanctify the path of personal, public, and civic life. The duty of the clergy is to make clear the moral foundations on which society should be built, and to inspire its activity, filling it with the spirit of Christ's teaching. Without sinking into the squalor of worldly vanity, the pastor must hover over his flock and vigilantly watch over it, support when necessary those who are spiritually or physically weak, cut short and denounce evil, inspire all to good works and spiritual struggles, and strengthen them in the performance of good deeds.
The highest and most important gift of the priesthood, for which the pastor must be especially fervent in prayer, is the calling down of God's blessings and grace upon the people, remembering that he is above all a servant of God, and must be an example to the faithful in word, life, love, spirit, faith, and purity (I Tim. 4:12), leading them by prayer, example, and instruction to the Kingdom of God.