ANSA, Sept. 4 – Fraternity in politics. “This is the key to putting the history of our countries and of humanity back on the road to peace,” said Chiara Lubich, Focolare foundress, to an audience of 450 Swiss politicians and youth, assembled at the Convention Palace of Bern, Switzerland. The Convention, promoted by a group of Swiss politicians of the Political Movement for Unity, aimed at reflecting on the question, “Fraternity in politics – utopia or necessity?” Fraternity in politics is not only necessary but urgent It became evident that – against the background of the tragic virulence of terrorism, fraternity, proposed as a “basic political category,” is not only necessary, it is urgent! “Nothing could be more timely than fraternity in politics, in the face of terror, death and violence,” affirmed Ms. Annemarie Huber Holz, Chancellor of the Swiss Confederation. Switzerland is undergoing a profound crisis of change Fraternity shows itself to be more than ever a necessity for the survival of Switzerland itself, defined by national councillor Chiara Simoneschi as “quite special” since it arose not from a common culture and language, but from the will to remain together. “Our country is now undergoing a deep crisis,” she continued, “challenged as it is by the building of Europe, by the need for a new balance in world geo-politics, by the phenomenon of migration and by a long economic stagnancy.” Simoneschi spoke of fears and uncertainties, divisions and counteractions. This was the motive behind the invitation extended to Chiara Lubich.

Broader horizons The Focolare foundress opened up broad horizons. “To silence and weaken terrorism, violence is not the answer,” she affirmed. It is necessary to go to “the root causes of economic and social imbalance that generate resentment, hostility and revenge… We have to seek out the ways of dialogue, political and diplomatic ways.” A politics substantiated by fraternity is urgent. Fraternity which she defined as “not only a value or a method but a global paradigm of political development;” “fraternity which is possible only if the spiritual dimension is not neglected,” nor those profound values inspired by love. “That love which is a wellspring of light,” Chiara continued, “which indicates the possibility of important results and takes the place of that oppressive fear which often runs through the political world.”

Love the other’s party as one’s own Such light shows that “every political option is a response to a need of society; therefore it can act out the apparent paradox of loving the other’s party as one’s own, because the good of the country needs the effort of all.” “Then criticism becomes constructive.” This is “the true, authoritative, politics which every country needs.” Fraternity in politics is not only necessary but possible. A series of experiences shared by Swiss and Italian politicians who adhere to the Political Movement for Unity (born in 1996 and now present in different countries) followed, showing that brotherhood in politics is not only necessary but possible. The afternoon program consisted in a lively exchange between the politicians and youth participants at the Convention.