The separation between the Church and the State, and therefore the principle of laicism, are a historical and cultural acquisition of Christianity. This doesn’t mean however that there must be no cooperation between them. This morning, in receiving the "Credentials" of the new ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines, Cristina Costaner-Ponce Enrile, Pope Benedict XVI spoke of laicism again and assured again that the Church "firmly believes in the respective independence and jurisdiction of the Church and the State. Actually he added , we can say that the distinction between religion and politics is a specific acquisition of Christianity and one of its specific historical and cultural contributions". The Church and the State are still called to cooperate. "The Church explains the Pope is equally convinced that State and religion are called to support each other to serve together the personal and social welfare of the community". Such "harmonious cooperation said the Pope requires that the religious and civil leaders fulfil their public responsibilities, with the common good as their sole purpose. If they cultivate a spirit of honesty and impartiality and have justice as their aim, the ecclesial ands civil leaders will be trusted by their people".
