Legality and the common good: young people’s participation in political life, at the service of the integral promotion of the person and the common good
On the afternoon of Monday 10 March, in Fiuggi, a conference was held, promoted by Azione Cattolica of the diocese of Anagni-Alatri, Italy, on the theme ‘Legality and the common good’ following the 50th Social Week of Italian Catholics held in Trieste from 3 to 7 July 2024. The conference was moderated by Daniele Bruno, President of the Foundation John Paul II for Youth.
The president of Azione Cattolica of Anagni-Alatri, Concetta Coppotelli, introduced the conference by emphasising the significance of the initiative, namely a tangible sign of how much more important it is to start processes that can lead to change in the right time, rather than occupying space, an attitude that is dominant in contemporary political action. Politics cannot be relegated to a theoretical and distant dimension, but must be experienced as a daily commitment to improve society. Political education must not be seen as a privilege for the few, but as a necessity for all those who wish to contribute to the common good, especially for young people.
Bruno: may the actions of Christians always be at the service of the integral promotion of the person and the common good.
Daniele Bruno, President of the Foundation John Paul II for Youth, moderated the entire conference and opened the debate by recalling the central themes addressed during the 50th Social Week of Italian Catholics: the current state of democracy and the active participation of citizens affected by the growing phenomenon of electoral abstention.
In this regard he explained that ‘the Magisterium of the Church does not want to exercise political power nor eliminate the freedom of opinion of Catholics on contingent issues, but to instruct and enlighten the conscience of the faithful, especially of those who are dedicated to political life, so that their actions are always at the service of the integral promotion of the person and the common good’.
Speeches and speakers
Among the speakers at the conference, introduced by the President Bruno, His Excellency Mons. Ambrogio Spreafico discussed the participation and contribution of Christians in political life. The magistrate Roberto Sparagna spoke on the subject of legality, an overused topic, but one that concerns everyone and not just those involved in the justice system. The Bishop of Verona, Domenico Pompili, spoke about the relationship between justice and charity, identifying in the figure of Jesus the difference between earthly justice and the justice of God. Charity brings justice to fulfilment and the Magisterium of the Church reminds Catholics of this, from Pope Leo XIII’s Rerum Novarum to Pope Francis’ Fratelli Tutti, emphasising the connection between legality and brotherhood. Pompili said that Catholics need to get involved in the essential issues of ecology and social and economic justice (redistribution of wealth), remembering the unity that exists between charity, justice and our neighbour.
The conference ended with a reflection by Mons. Spreafico on what could be the best city for human life. The answer was: ‘the one where peace is possible because coexistence is possible’, following the example of Jerusalem, the ancient Salem whose etymology refers to the term ‘shalom’, ‘peace’ in the time of Melchizedek, king of justice, but also king of peace.
