The political vocation

Now that a lot is being said and written in the local media about political vocation and the dedication and correct behaviour of politicians all over the globe, it is appropriate to reflect in depth on what the Catholic bishops of England and Wales said in their document The Common Good and the Catholic Church's Social Teaching (October 1996).

The bishops stress that there is a strong Christian tradition of public service in all major British parties, which they applaud, and openly state "we wish to declare our respect and gratitude towards all those who undertake the responsibilities of political life, whatever party they belong to.

"We are especially grateful to Catholic citizens who join and play an active part in the political party of their choice, provided they take their Catholic principles, including those set out in this document, with them. We offer them every possible encouragement."

However the bishops also state: "Not the least of the concerns we have at this time is the low status of politicians in public estimation, which is neither justified by the evidence nor good for the health of democracy. Politics is an honourable vocation, which often exacts great personal cost from those who engage in it, and from their families. The fact that some politicians from time to time fall short of the highest standards is not grounds for dismissing the whole class of politicians as unworthy of respect."

The bishops obviously are very positive in their approach and vision of the occasional attitude of the public towards those engaged in public life. They stress in their important statement: "An attitude of cynicism towards those engaged in public life is one of those tendencies against which we feel we must speak out. Not the least of its harmful consequences could be the discouragement of those contemplating a political career. It is the teaching of the Church that all rightful authority comes from God, and therefore those who exercise legitimate political authority are worthy of respect. It is not ignoble to want a successful political career, nor dishonourable for politicians to seek political power."

As is logical and natural, the bishops of England and Wales do not fail to give their paternal advice to politicians: "At the same time politicians must be especially careful not to use, or to appear to use, their privileged position for personal gain. Those politicians who have, by their behaviour, contributed to the climate of distrust must bear some considerable responsibility.

"Part of the responsibility must also lie with the highly partisan quality of public political debate, where it has become almost customary to attribute the worst motives to one's political opponents. Politicians of one party should show more respect towards those of other parties.

"Those who engage in political abuse can expect retaliation in kind, and they are inviting the public to believe the worst about all politicians of every political persuasion."

As far as Malta is concerned there is so much food for thought for politicians, the public and for the media that we prefer to refer to as "the means of social communications". This climate of mutual personal distrust and abuse has at times been fostered quite recklessly by a section of the mass media. It is time to reflect that the tongue is the deadliest of all blunt instruments.