Every year, for 52 years now, the Holy Father gives a
reflection on peace on New Year’s Day as his message for the celebration of the
World Day for Peace. This year the message of Pope Francis is entitled: GOOD
POLITICS IS AT THE SERVICE OF PEACE.
This is a good reminder for many Christians who think
that the Church should keep off from politics. Jesus has come to save the
world, and this includes the world of politics. All people of good will agree
that politics too need truth, justice, peace and love. Politics is at the
service of common good. This shows that politics is to be guided by moral
norms. Politics can veer away from the right path either through ignorance,
weakness of the character of leaders, or sheer ill will. Hence it too should be
saved from abuses, weaknesses and ignorance. It too needs the light of Good
News. For this reason no less than the Pope himself speaks of politics and
gives it guidance.
Pope Francis wrote: “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, marginalization and even destruction.” When properly exercised,
politics is a way of loving, which is the core of the message of Christ, and it
can bring well-being to the citizens. But when abused, it can create a lot of
harm. So the Holy Father continues: “Political office and political
responsibility constantly challenge those called to the service of their country
to make every effort to protect those who live there and to create the
conditions for a worthy and just future. If exercised with basic respect for
the life, freedom and dignity of persons, political life can indeed become an
outstanding form of charity.”
When Pope Francis speaks about the virtues that politics
should have, he quoted from the “Beatitudes of the Politician” that was
proposed by Vietnamese Cardinal François-Xavier Nguyễn Vãn Thuận, who died in
2002. It is to be recalled that this Vietnamese Cardinal had been a prisoner of
the Vietcong for 13 years, yet he bore no grudge against his captors and was
even a good influence in the concentration camps where he was imprisoned. When
assigned to Rome after his release, he became the head of the Pontifical Commission
for Justice and Peace, so he did a lot of reflection with the whole church on
the politics that can bring about peace. Here is his reflection:
“Blessed be the politician with a lofty sense and deep
understanding of his role.
Blessed be the politician who personally exemplifies
credibility.
Blessed be the politician who works for the common good
and not his or her own interest.
Blessed be the politician who remains consistent.
Blessed be the politician who works for unity.
Blessed be the politician who works to accomplish radical
change.
Blessed be the politician who is capable of listening.
Blessed be the politician who is without fear.”
How I wish that our politicians would have these virtues
so that they can be blessed and our people would be happy.
Finally, Pope Francis reminds us that “peace is based on
respect for each person, whatever his or her background, on respect for the law
and the common good, on respect for the environment entrusted to our care and
for the richness of the moral tradition inherited from past generations.” So
when good politics is at the service of peace it respects and promotes
fundamental human rights. May the year 2019, which for our country is an
election year, bring us politicians who really serve with the common good in
mind, and thus bring about much needed peace to our people.
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