Chris McDonnell, UK
christymac733@gmail.com

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Nov 13, 2019

The people's voice matters

The next few weeks will be... well, different. We now know the date for the General Election in our country, December 12th . It is incidentally also the feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Mexico where it is celebrated with a national holiday. We have been through a period of turmoil and uncertainty since the Referendum result was called in the Summer of 2016. The landscape of politics has been recast, friendships frayed and uncertainties abound. It has been said more than once that our politics is broken. Members of Parliament have left office, left or been thrown out of their political party or have sat glumly on their hands as the debate raged about them.  

It has been a time when we have questioned the veracity of statements, unsure whether what we hear is true, a time when we have tested the edges. Across the political spectrum we have been found wanting. But in spite of the confusion, there have been some parliamentary voices that have spoken with clarity and sincerity, arguing their case with an honesty we have come to admire. We should be thankful for their courage.  

For that is what is has often taken, courage to voice an opinion. Social media and the press have had a field day taking to task  the lonely voices seeking harmony in the midst of chaos.  

It is easy to forget the price that has been paid for our democracy, the struggle over the years for our voice to be heard. We recently marked the centenary of Women's Suffrage. In the intervening years their voice has made a major contribution to our political life. Maybe we should reflect in passing on the role that women might play in our Church were they offered real opportunity to do so. Tokenism and fine platitudes are insufficient.  

I watched a conversation recently between Sr. Joan Chittistor and Dr Mary McAleese hosted by Trinity College in Dublin.  It was entitled 'The Women The Vatican Could Not Silence'.  It gave much food for thought to hear their strong and honest voices presenting the case for radical change. It is still available on the Net.  

Change will certainly be the outcome of the national vote after the coming days and weeks of putting the case, listening to the many discordant voices seeking our vote for their party. Given the nature of our democracy centred on parties, it is not possible to support a party group that matches our views in a precise and total manner. We seek the 'nearest best fit' , where in spite of some disagreements, we can feel at home in conscience and can support in good will.  

There is often an argument put forward for the option of 'abstention' to be available on our ballot paper. A good case can be made for that alternative choice. Too often we hear people say that they are not going to vote at all, that they are so disillusioned '...with all of them'  that they can't be bothered to vote. Think back to the first free elections in South Africa when people often queued for many hours in the heat of the day for the chance to cast their vote. We cheapen our democracy by neglecting to use it.  

At the same time, democratic values in the United States are  being challenged with the current hearings on the impeachment of the President asking so many pertinent questions. All of this in the midst of the run-up to the national presidential election next November. Honesty seems to have flown out of the window on the wings of an eagle when it comes to their contribution to public debate.  

The over-riding word, it would seem to me,  is 'uncertainty'. The challenge of these days is in marked contrast to the milieu we once knew. We might be tempted to ask if it is worth the hassle and disagreement, the energy taken up in dispute and the parting of ways. Reflect for a few moments on this brief comment from the Portuguese writer, Fernando Pessoa:  

"Was it worth it? Everything is worth it if the soul is not too small".  

Our 'bigness' is a measure of our ability to manage change. When the days of canvassing are over, when the crosses on the  ballot papers are finally counted, then will come the time to measure our response. The task of healing the rifts and divisions of the last three years will be considerable. It is a task that must involve all of us.  

In the passage of our Advent Journey this year may we remember the words to the Christ-Child who grew to be a man, standing condemned before the authority of Rome; "Truth, what is that?" May our souls not be too small to meet the challenge that we will face.

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