Political leaders choose to engage in wars that not only bring about massive displacement and the suffering and death of thousands of people but also cause the irreparable destruction of entire homelands.

The wilful actions of these men cause a trickle-down effect that triggers negative ramifications throughout the world.

Such leaders display an attitude of self-righteousness, and while continuing to wreak havoc, show no willingness to accept responsibility for the consequences of their actions.

Bigotry closer to home

Here in Australia, one political party that openly promotes bigotry, hatred, selfishness and greed is growing in numbers.

The leader of this party not once, but twice, paraded in parliament in a burka, to the chagrin of her colleagues. While she saw it as a stunt, Muslim women felt publicly belittled and demeaned, not to mention insulted and hurt.

Though claiming to stand with ordinary Australians, that leader now travels in her own private plane, funded by a mining magnate.

At the same time, the rest of the nation is urged to conserve fuel that has become unaffordable for many of those same ‘ordinary’ Australians.

Not only are people choosing to vote for aspiring politicians from this party into parliament, but recently, the current opposition party has preferred them to block another, more moderate candidate.

Love as foundation

This stands in complete antithesis to the foundational values of peace, love and respect practiced by all faith traditions including the Christian faith.

Jesus left us two commandments, both based on love — love of God, neighbour, and love of self. The church has translated this simple message into a code of social teaching that calls us to treat each other with fairness, and to show respect and dignity to all of God’s creation.

Christians cannot stay silent

Where corruption is rife, we Christians cannot stay silent. Where people are being brushed aside or trampled on as ‘collateral damage’ we must speak out.

We must offer kindness and shelter those made vulnerable simply because they appear different. We must be bearers of peace, beginning with our families.

And only we, of all God’s creation, can nurture and sustain our earth with all its beauty and riches.

A leader who offers hope

While our world seems bleak, one leader, Leo, offers hope, urging us to:

‘Be artisans of true peace: an unarmed and disarming peace, humble and persevering, working for harmony among peoples and for the care of the Earth.’ (to the University of Sapienza).

• Carmel Pilcher RSJ, PhD is a Liturgy and Culture Consultant and Educator, Darug and Gundungura country.