The key to political unity in Europe

In November 2001, Chiara Lubich, foundress of the Focolare Movement, an ecumenical organisation within the Catholic Church, gave a formidable speech in Insbruck, Austria entitled Brotherhood and Sisterhood: The Key to Political Unity in Europe. The talk, which I recently heard on cassette, left me baffled and I wanted to share some excerpts from it.

Let me start off by giving a real life example of how extraordinary the above concept is by taking the reader back to September 11 2001. The destruction of the twin towers in Manhattan, with a major loss of circa 3,000 people, symbolised the fall of the most powerful superpower in the world, the United States of America. The whole world went numb. Notwithstanding, such a tragedy, New York was transformed into a world solidarity headquarters. Any indifference between countries at war, people at war was substituted with brotherly and sisterly love towards the suffering.

The United States, a multi-ethnic, multi-racial and multi-religious country, was altered into a nation of solidarity and unity. It was like a convergence of a nation of multi-opinionated people, re-awakening to a new reality. All concerned recognised the basic necessity of establishing a universal feeling of brotherhood and sisterhood.

The Dalai Lama, while referring to the twin towers tragedy, wrote to his followers that there was a very clear reason of what had happened in New York. Humans had forgotten about the basic truth that we all belong to one race, the human race, and as such we forgot that we are one family. Forgetting this basic concept is the only reason why peoples from different cultures hate each other and ultimately fight. The way to always keep this truth in mind is to love each other in this present moment and forever.

I always remember the famous toy motto "Forever Friends". The person who gave the concept of brotherhood and sisterhood as an essential gift to humanity was no one but Jesus Christ. Prior to His death, he prayed: "Father, may they all be one". This statement revealed that God is the father and by default we are all brethren and it introduced the concept of humanity being one family. This should therefore destroy all the existent differences, those differences which divide. This will free humans from any forces that could be enslaving them. It will, thus, create an existential, cultural and political revolution.

The concept of brotherhood and sisterhood thus started to gain influence in time. One can historically trace back this concept to different epochs. One finds moments when social groups joined forces to come to the aid of a weaker group or the uprisings to gain freedom irrespective of belief and religion. At a political level, the French revolution is a prime example of this concept. Its motto, La liberté, l'égalité, la fraternité, synthesised humanity's major modern political project, even though in itself, in the way it was handled, it betrayed its own purpose.

Even though a number of democratic groups have striven hard to seek freedom and equality, brotherhood and sisterhood, unfortunately, has remained at a theoretical level. Notwithstanding its flaws, the French Revolution, at least intuitively, understood the need of brotherhood and sisterhood. It is only through this latter concept that true freedom and equality can materialise. One cannot therefore look at brotherhood and sisterhood only as a utopist concept. To achieve the ultimate aim of the European Union, living the concept of brotherhood and sisterhood is a necessity.

We have to keep in mind, however, that this concept does not have its origin today. Let us start by considering an array of saints, chosen as patron saints for Europe. Patron saints because they were founders of Europe. In moments of difficulty, they were the ones who became the cornerstones and pillars of today's Europe. In the fifth and sixth century, in a very critical period, Saint Benedict proposed a new model, a man who on one hand is totally immersed in the experience of God and on the other hand works in the fields and crafts. This monastic life created a network of spiritual, cultural and economic centres all throughout Europe. These were catalysts for a Europe that was being re-born; a spiritual and social renewal.

Going further east, the brothers Cyril and Methodius, in the ninth century left a mark among the Slavs by immersing themselves wholly in their culture, making them feel united and understood. They were the prototype of today's European DNA, unity in diversity.

In a moment when the feudal lords were losing power but when Europe was still shattered and without direction, Brigitte of Sweden and Catherine of Siena assertively confronted the rulers of their time and ensured a sense of justice.

Edith Stein in the 20th century is another contemporary saint, dying both as a nun for defending her faith and as a Jew, thus establishing a basis where religions and cultures can converge.

What does this tell us very clearly? The roots of a united Europe are holy. This explains why some heads of state, including Eddie Fenech Adami, are pushing towards Christianity being included in the European constitution as a main root of Europe's existence. This is why for both De Gasperi and Schumann the Church has started the process towards sainthood. Not only did they live all the Christian virtues, with a lot of sacrifice, but also heroically their civil duties as politicians.

The first step was the creation of a united Coal & Steel Europe. This, however, did not emerge from a business deal but a moment of solidarity that, ultimately, prevented war between France, Germany and those nations abiding by the treaty. The real aim was peace, safeguarding brotherhood and sisterhood, using economy as a medium. In June 1950, Konrad Adenauer proclaimed that the ultimate scope of the treaty was political and not economic. Notwithstanding, not even Europe was the ultimate aim of this whole process.

In the final act, in the Schumann Declaration, it is clearly stated:

"The solidarity in production thus established will make it plain that any war between France and Germany becomes not merely unthinkable but materially impossible. The setting up of this powerful productive unit, open to all countries willing to take part and bound ultimately to provide all the member countries with the basic elements of industrial production on the same terms, will lay a true foundation for their economic unification. This production will be offered to the world as a whole without distinction or exception, with the aim of contributing to raising living standards and to promoting peaceful achievements."

This clearly shows how the founders of Europe wanted a Europe united in itself between brothers and sisters, not closed in itself but open towards helping brethren of other nations. Europe wants to be united to be able to contribute towards the unity of the entire human race. A united Europe that will finally arrive towards a united world.

As difficult as it may sound, I am definite we have the main ingredients to achieve unity in politics in Malta and Gozo. Lawrence Gonzi, in his maiden speech on March 3, on being elected leader of the PN, expressed strongly a desire to start doing politics differently and non-confrontationally. I thought the gesture of the Malta Labour Party the day after, in inviting Dr Gonzi to their general headquarters, was a sign of goodwill in extending a hand to initiate this process.

We are living in times where democracy has been secured in our country, thanks to courageous leaders like Dr Fenech Adami. This leaves absolutely no scope for confrontation. We should be working hard towards achieving one front in Europe, a front that is going to promote Maltese interests in the bigger context of a united Europe ultimately being able to offer ideas and strategic plans to all our European brethren and sisters.

One of the contestants for the post of deputy leader of the PN, Tonio Borg, recently said that a new generation of Maltese is emerging in the political sphere. This statement, together with the one Dr Gonzi made, ensure that politics in Malta can be made differently. Let us all pull one rope.