Standing Up For What Is Right

Today I would like to talk about a topic that I generally avoid – politics, specifically the situation in Egypt.  With the resignation of President Mubarak certainly Egypt has changed in a profound way.  Perhaps the most amazing thing to me is that it was accomplished through peaceful protest.  We must acknowledge that there are people who have lost their lives and many others injured during the protests but there was no war that toppled the government.  We give thanks to God that the events of the last eighteen days were not more violent.

A government has changed and will be in transition for a while as they work towards forming a new government. 

The reason I am writing about these events is because I see it as an opportunity to reflect upon how people are to be treated.  I refer you to my article “Seven Principles of Catholic Social Teaching”.  As Egypt forms its new government, it needs to be mindful on the people.  Governments exist for the good of the people, not the other way around.  The government exists as a means to help us work together as a community living in solidarity.  Every person has basic rights and with the rights, the responsibility to ensure all people enjoy the same rights (For more on the subject of rights check out my article “Rights and Responsibilities” and Pope John XXIII’s  Encyclical Pacem in Terris).

Peace,

Fr. Jeff