Chris McDonnell, UK
christymac733@gmail.com

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September 12, 2019

Symbols of trust

It is strange how some things acquire symbolic status. They do not arrive with their symbolism already formed but develop it with the passing of years.

This is true for both people and places. Let’s consider a few obvious examples. The young African child who grew up to become the cult hero of his people during the Apartheid period in South Africa was not instantly acclaimed in his early years. Only through the lived experience of struggle did he become recognised as a great leader. Without doubt the manner in which he conducted himself on leaving Robben Island after 27 years of imprisonment, prevented civil strife in his country on his release. His action in wearing a Springbocks shirt at the Rugby World Cup, became a sincere gesture of reconciliation. He truly became a living symbol of his people.

In the US, the Statue of Liberty that greets arrival by sea to the city of New York, is known the world over. Its paper and wood appearance amongst the crowd in Tiananmen Square in 1989 was deliberate, the massacre that followed a tragedy.

In our own country, Big Ben can be called the ‘face of London’. It is instantly recognised by tourists, the subject of many thousands of photographs and is closely associated with the seat of government, the Houses of Parliament.

It hurts when nationally recognised institutions are abused. In recent weeks that has been the story of Government in this country as the political landscape has suffered a shock with the arrival of a prime minster elected by a tiny majority of his own party, propounding his creed of leaving the EU, come what may, by the end of October. He managed to infuriate many across the political spectrum by seeking the prorogation of Parliament at a critical time in our national history, thus restricting the option of further EU debate. By the time these few words appear in print there is no doubt that the scene will have changed again. I have been trying to imagine the outburst of indignation had the political Left adopted the same tactic. When was the last time that the Father of the House was denied the Whip of his lifetime party?

We tamper with the incidentals of precedence at our peril. Some of those incidentals are relatively trivial, others of huge significance. In respect of our Christian faith, the language of the Eucharist is of little consequence compared with the possibility of actual celebration. That is why during discussion at the coming Synod of the Amazon, the issue of an exclusively celibate priesthood is crucially important. Courage is required.

The passing of law both through parliamentary debate and case law arising from Court proceedings is heavily dependent on precedent. Our most immediate teaching precedent in the Church is the Council called by John XXIII. The excitement of those heady 60s days has sadly, been dimmed, often now replaced by frustration and disillusionment. Maybe the time to call another Council is drawing near.

When there is challenge there will always be the risk of misunderstanding with all its consequences. So we must always be careful in our choice of language, sensitive to others who might hold different views. How valuable is a sense of humour in diffusing a tense situation. The manner in which our body language is perceived says a lot. Reflect back a few days to the beginning of the month to the body posture of the current Leader of the House, Jacob Rees-Mogg, as he lay slumped on the Government front bench. It was a considered, contemptuous gesture towards both the Speaker and other Members of the House.

When circumstances are challenging, and I would suggest those we presently face fit that description, then we must be careful with every word we utter. You have only to look at the consequences of intemperate language and coarse gesture in American society since that fateful Presidential election of 2016.

We can only hope that those we have duly elected as parliamentarians accept the responsibility of their office. Sooner rather than later, dignity and honesty must return to the office of Prime Minister.

It is time that those who exercise leadership on our behalf be considered trustworthy, their word believable. Deviousness and deceit have no place in a healthy democracy. Compromise is an essential factor in democratic government. Without such an attitude in the present circumstances, the ripple effect will flow for years with damaging consequences to our societal relationships.

The definition of Truth sought by Pilate is still elusive. At least let us recognise bald-faced lies when they are presented as truth with intent to deceive. These are indeed sad days for the Mother of Parliaments.

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