In So Many Words
I have had an interest in politics since my days in the Young Christian Workers (YCW), way back in the sixties. Many YCW members in the fifties and sixties, formed in a “see, judge and act” methodology, went on to be local councilors and active trade unionists and for me, I discovered my vocation to be a missionary priest. They, like me, got their strength and direction from their faith.
The use of Gospel reflection and a study of the Social Teaching of the Church gave us our lead. I have always been drawn to the concept of the Common Good, defined by the Bishops of England and Wales as “the whole network of social conditions which enable humans — individuals and groups — to flourish and live a fully, genuinely human life.” This comes about by implementing the need to respect the human dignity of all and using the values of solidarity and subsidiarity to guide decision-making.
Many countries around the world face elections this year. I can only hope that people will take time to review the meaning of the Common Good, and, so as to achieve it, see the need to be active citizens in some way or another within their societies. It is not just about tax cuts, it is also about investing to improve our services: health, education, public housing, social services, as well as demanding meaningful action on climate change and fair and just treatment of migrants and refugees.
It is not just about tax cuts, it is also about investing to improve our services: health, education, public housing, social services, as well as demanding meaningful action on climate change and fair and just treatment of migrants and refugees.
We can gain insight and strength from the struggles Jesus faced in getting to know His Father’s Will. The Temptations showed Jesus turning down power, wealth and self-importance for Himself. He chose the path of humility, poverty in the form of a simple lifestyle and the service of others instead of self-serving. Our call to follow Jesus, as Christians, no matter our age, is an invitation to assume His attitudes and Way of life. How we do it is a challenge each has to face and do so in the context of our relationship with God, with others and with our common home, the planet.
May the Spirit of Jesus Christ be with each of us, as we discern how to play an active part in society, as the responsibility for politics is not just with the politicians. More recently the team at Warmi Huasi, a small non-government organization in Peru that I set up with others to accompany families living in poverty, accompanies and enables children and young people to have a voice at local council level, so that the local mayor and councilors hear the needs of the young and the plans the young have to improve their lives and that of their communities. It is slowly working; local councils are beginning to see the value of young people’s involvement. And maybe it is also the first step to breaking apathy and getting a new generation involved in politics, which in the end is about achieving for all the basics of life.
Fr. Ed O’Connell was ordained in 1973. He worked with marginalized children and women in Peru for many years and is now based in Britain.