A Vision of Love in Politics

Excerpts from the address of Chiara Lubich to the First Conference of the Focolare Movement for Unity in Politics. In this address Chiara expounded on an ideal vision of politics that goes beyond political parties, and which aims towards universal brotherhood.

What is the specific cross of those who move and work in the political world today? I think it is often the lack of unity, of harmony, that makes their task heavy and not very fruitful; the rigid and opposed positions between parties without understanding the other’s motives: the divisions caused by clashes among ethnic groups within nations, divisions between nations…

We need to find the way to overcome these disunities, to restore unity. Jesus himself came on earth to restore the unity that had been lost between humanity and God and of men and women with one another. He accomplished this through his passion and death, and above all – this is the conviction of theologians and saints – when he experienced within himself the greatest possible disunity: the disunity between himself and the Father with whom he was one. And he cried out: “My God, my God why have forsaken me? (Mt. 27:46).

This mystery is the key that opens the way to unity for the members of the Focolare Movement, and therefore also for that specific expression of the Movement, the Movement for Unity in Politics. Only those who keep the image of Jesus crucified and forsaken always before them, who recognize his face in every division out of love for him, are capable of recomposing unity.

And in loving Jesus crucified and forsaken they receive the gift of a light that the mind does not produce on its own and a strength that is more than common.” Thus the Movement for Unity in Politics is bringing about a new political culture.

But its vision of politics does not give rise to a new party. Instead it changes the method of political activity: while remaining faithful to his or her own genuine ideals, a politician of unity loves everyone, and therefore in every circumstances search for what unites.

We would like to give life to a politics of Jesus, as he would consider it and where he acts through each of us, wherever we are: in national and regional governments, in town councils, in political parties, in various civic and political groups, in government coalitions and in the opposition.

This unity lived among us, must then be brought into our political parties, among the parties, into the various political institutions and into every sphere of public life and into relationships among nations.

Then the people of all nations will be able to rise above their borders and look beyond, loving the others’ country as their own. The presence of Jesus will become a reality also among peoples and states, making humanity one universal family.

It will be a family that goes beyond a limited concept of international society, because within it relationships among persons, groups, and peoples are conceived of in a way that dismantles all types of divisions and barriers.

Chiara Lubich

You may read Chiara Lubich’s entire address in the book Essential Writings pp. 236-246.