My hope for the new year

THE EDITOR: “If exercised with basic respect for the life, freedom and dignity of people, political life can indeed become an outstanding form of charity” (Pope Francis).

The title of Pope Francis’ message for World Day of Peace, today is: Good politics is at the service of peace. He describes peace as being like “a delicate flower struggling to blossom on the stony ground of violence. We know that the thirst for power at any price leads to abuses and injustice.

“Politics is an essential means of building human community and institutions, but when political life is not seen as a form of service to society as a whole, it can become a means of oppression, marginalisation and even destruction.”

Pope Francis reminds us of Jesus’ words: “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all” (Mk 9:35).

He warns us that “when the exercise of political power aims only at protecting the interests of a few privileged individuals, the future is compromised and young people can be tempted to lose confidence, since they are relegated to the margins of society without the possibility of helping to build the future.”

He says the world is engaged in “a third world war, piecemeal.” He warns that “politics has its share of vices, whether due to personal incompetence or to flaws in the system and its institutions. Clearly, these vices detract from the credibility of political life overall, as well as the authority, decisions and actions of those engaged in it.”

These vices “which undermine the ideal of an authentic democracy, bring disgrace to public life and threaten social harmony. We think of corruption in its varied forms: corruption, which includes the misappropriation of public resources, the exploitation of individuals, the denial of rights, the flouting of community rules, dishonest gain, the justification of power by force or the arbitrary appeal to raison d’etat and the refusal to relinquish power.”

Other vices he lists include xenophobia, racism, lack of concern for the natural environment, the plundering of natural resources for the sake of quick profit and “contempt for those forced into exile.”

He encourages leaders “to practise those human virtues that sustain all sound political activity: justice, equality, mutual respect, sincerity, honesty, fidelity.” He recognises that “human relations are complex, especially in our own times, marked by a climate of mistrust rooted in the fear of others or of strangers, or anxiety about one’s personal security.”

Such attitudes are also seen “at the political level, in attitudes of rejection or forms of nationalism that call into question the fraternity of which our globalised world has such great need. Today more than ever, our societies need ‘artisans of peace’ who can be messengers and authentic witnesses of God the Father, who wills the good and the happiness of the human family.”

He touches on issues of migration and poverty. His thoughts are also with children currently living in areas of conflict. He reminds us that as we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we must remember the observation of St Pope John XXIII: “Man’s awareness of his rights must inevitably lead him to the recognition of his duties.”

In conclusion, he emphasises: “Peace, in effect, is the fruit of a great political project grounded in the mutual responsibility and interdependence of human beings. But it is also a challenge that demands to be taken up ever anew. It entails a conversion of heart and soul; it is both interior and communal.”

He identifies three inseparable aspects of peace: peace with oneself, peace with others, and peace with all creation.

My hope for the New Year is that we will start a conversation about how we can promote “good politics” and ensure it serves “peace.”

LEELA RAMDEEN

chair, CCSJ

director, CREDI