Stand guard over democracy

We hereby propose our own translation of ample excerpts of the homily delivered by the bishop of Créteil, Msgr. Michel Santier in the Mass officiated at Parc Floral in Paris Parigi on the last day of the 86th Social Weeks of France on the theme: “Democracy, a new idea” (25-27 November).Today, young men and women are dying for democracy in Syria, Egypt, Tunisia, and in other areas of the world.They are sacrificing themselves not for something insignificant but for something that will give meaning to the life of individuals and of humanity as a whole. On the contrary, in Europe we risk relativizing democracy. Sometimes, we seem to be asleep. It’s time to wake up. At the beginning of Advent this is the invitation of the Church, exemplifying her interest also for the debates of post-modern society.The Church’s interest for the public realm is notably to be found in the Second Vatican Council, which states that the Church shares in “the joys and hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ. Indeed, nothing genuinely human fails to raise an echo in their hearts”.In 2012 we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the opening of this grand event whereby the Church has further acknowledged her responsibility in the creation of a world undergoing radical transformations. We share the hope of many peoples in democracy, while we live in Europe, shattered by an economic crisis. In this difficult situation we cannot forget that democracy has enabled Europe to live in peace for over 60 years. With these thoughts we have to turn our glance to the young generations, since in some Countries there are young people who bravely took action motivated by their yearning for freedom, so that their voices may be heard. They are active members of the Church and of our society, which grows increasingly atomized and individualistic.These young people are aware of the need to work together, to prompt the growth of democracy and moral values that should be adopted within a plural society. But we adults often turn a deaf ear to their aspirations, we don’t trust them enough, we leave them on the borders of a society that has an uncertain economic and social future. Moreover, the questioning of the moral and spiritual points of reference that constituted the benchmarks of our Western culture seem to direct society towards a chasm. We have to recognize it, the ongoing debate on the future of humanity causes restlessness.We mustn’t get discouraged, but rather, with the young, we have to preserve a glance of hope and the faith in Jesus Christ. We mustn’t be afraid to put talent and charismas at the service of the Church and of the world.The time of Advent is a reminder that we live in anticipation. We live in the expectation of peace for peoples at war; in the expectation that the exiled will return to their homes; in the expectation of social justice for the victims of all forms of oppression; in expectation of solace for those overcome by pain; in expectation of serenity for the anguished and stressed; in expectation of light for those in a state of darkness; in expectation of a job; of housing, of identity cards for those who were denied access to employment and to social life; in expectation of love and friendship for those left alone; in expectation of freedom for those imprisoned by others or imprisoned within themselves; in expectation of forgiveness for those who were hurt, so they may find the strength to continue enduring their daily lives. This, I believe, is the force of democracy. It means taking wise decisions for the common good and for a fairer society. This democratic vision draws inspiration from the evangelical message, and places our focus on the poor. We must stand guard.Standing guard doesn’t mean being passively, obsessively alert, causing immobility. Rather, it is a courageous witness of life in accordance with the great commandment of the love for God and for our fellow neighbour, as with the commitment for the promotion of the development of the human person and for mankind.It is in the name of this commitment that Benedict XVI has encouraged the youth in Madrid to remain firmly rooted in faith. Being rooted in Christ and in evangelical brotherliness doesn’t mean escaping world, and notably European, problems. Instead, it means to grow stronger in order to face them together and with all those who wish to commit themselves for active and participatory democracy.