By Lavoisier Fernandes
I recently came across a thought-provoking statement by Jesuit priest Thomas Reese in one of his articles for the National Catholic Reporter: “The truly powerful are creators, not destroyers; builders, not demolishers; life-givers, not killers; fixers, not complainers; nurturers, not bullies.”
Honestly, this statement captures the true essence of strength— one that uplifts, heals, and contributes to the greater good.
Yet, when we examine todays deeply polarised political world, it often feels as though the world has strayed from this ideal. Instead of fostering unity, leaders engage in division. Instead of building, they tear down. Instead of nurturing, they exploit. Politics today seems to prioritize power struggles over progress, destruction over creation, and rhetoric over meaningful action.
So, has the world lost its identity? Some say the world isn’t losing its identity—it’s merely undergoing a power shift and that its identity isn’t disappearing; it’s only becoming multipolar.
But the basic question remains: Will we choose to be builders of hope, or will we allow destruction and division to define us?
Macho Gangster Politics Replacing Diplomacy and Dialogue in a World at War with Itself
No matter where one stands politically, one has to agree that the postmodern world appears to be in a state of chaos in search of its identity. From conventional warfare to economic conflicts waged through trade wars, arms sales, gender ideology and the looming threat of territorial occupations disguised as geopolitical stability – the struggle for power continues. The rise of mass deportations and insensitive political statements or political silence towards war-torn communities and minorities, often at the cost of human dignity, only deepens these tensions.
Meanwhile, the “look-at-me” culture of social media amplifies divisions, fuelling polarization and deepening ideological wars.
Truth in today’s post-modernist society is very subjective, relative and focuses on the truths derived from the whims and fancies of human logic and opinions. What one group considers “right,” another sees as “wrong.” Pro-life advocates now justify the killing of innocents in war and former allies have turned into enemies, while surprising new alliances take shape. Politicians who were once immigrants themselves now support anti-immigration policies.
At the same time, institutions meant to promote global peace, encourage international cooperation, and safeguard human rights are increasingly being pushed aside. The once-clear boundaries between capitalism and communism, democracy, and dictatorship, are slowly being distorted. Democracies are increasingly adopting authoritarian tactics and challenging legitimate institutions, while authoritarian regimes are incorporating capitalist strategies.
This growing disregard like many more examples highlights the political hypocrisy and the pursuit of power with the rise of hyperbole, extremism, and polarization.
Pope Francis envisages about the rise in hyperbole, extremism, and polarization in his encyclical Fratelli Tutti on “fraternity” and “social friendship” saying (Fratelli Tutti-11)
“Ancient conflicts thought long buried are breaking out anew, while instances of a myopic, extremist, resentful and aggressive nationalism are on the rise. In some countries, a concept of popular and national unity influenced by various ideologies is creating new forms of selfishness and a loss of the social sense under the guise of defending national interests.”
Whether we like it or not, we are trapped in a world at war with itself, desperately searching for its identity and for stability. Diplomacy has taken a backseat to power-driven politics, where displays of dominance and macho masculinity gangster style politics have replaced dialogue and diplomacy.
Epidemic of Individualism
So, where do these wars and conflicts truly begin? James 4:1-2 provides an answer:
“Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? You want something and do not have it; so, you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so, you engage in disputes and conflicts. “
It’s easy to look at global geopolitical struggles and place the blame entirely on the political class, absolving ourselves of any responsibility. However, the conflicts we witness on a global scale are often a caricature of the divisions, struggles, and selfish ambitions present within our own societies, families, and personal lives.
On a micro level, beyond the larger geopolitical struggles, we live in a society that elevates individualism, pushing a survival-of-the-fittest mentality. The prevalent messages of “me, myself, and I” dominate, with phrases like “Take care of number one,” “You need to focus on yourself,” “Find what makes you happy and do it,” “Only you can change your life,” “You deserve more,” and “You are the solution to your problems.” These messages cultivate a mindset that prioritizes personal success, often ignoring the values of community, empathy, and shared responsibility.
In one of his catechesis, Pope Francis describes this as the epidemic of individualism, drawing parallels to the story of Abel and Cain, where Cain’s selfishness and jealousy drive him to harm his brother.
So, is it all doom and gloom?
The simple answer is no, our identity is rooted in Christ—the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning, and the end—who embodies the fullness of existence and eternal truth. Our hope is found in Jesus Christ, who is the same today, yesterday, and forever. At the same time, we are called to rely on the compass provided by Christ—through his Church. This means being faithful to the Church and its Magisterium, embracing its teachings, sacraments, traditions, and guidance as sources of truth.
Faith, hope, and love are the core theological virtues in the Christian life, acting as essential pillars that shape our relationship with God and others. However, these virtues are not isolated; they are deeply interconnected. St. Paul, in his writings, speaks of this unity, reminding us that faith without hope is meaningless. It is through hope that faith is brought to life, and love becomes fully realized.
Ultimately, the invitation is to become ambassadors of hope, as St. Paul reminds us in 2 Cor 5:20: “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us.” Through this role, we are called to reflect God’s love and message to a broken world, offering hope, reconciliation, and the promise of salvation.
Diplomacy of Hope in Truth
In his annual address to the Diplomatic Corps at the Holy See, Pope Francis outlined a vision for becoming “ambassadors of hope” through a “diplomacy of hope.”
In his address he called for a “diplomacy of hope,” capable of clearing the dark clouds of war with the “renewed winds of peace.” He emphasized humanity’s innate thirst for truth and the longing for salvation from suffering.
However, he warned that rapid technological advances, driven by commercial interests, have fostered a culture of consumerism. In response, he called for a “diplomacy of truth,” one that connects reality, truth, and knowledge to establish a common language grounded in authenticity, guiding humanity toward peace and unity.
Diplomacy of Forgiveness
Pope Francis further called for a “diplomacy of forgiveness” to heal relationships fractured by hatred and violence while ensuring care for victims. He urged the international community to end the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, emphasizing the immense suffering of innocent civilians.
The Pope warned that war is perpetuated by the proliferation of advanced weaponry, reiterating that “war is always a failure.”
Diplomacy of freedom and Justice
Pope Francis also called for a “diplomacy of freedom” to combat human trafficking, drug addiction, and modern slavery. He urged nations to support victims and address the root causes of displacement.
He also emphasized that a diplomacy of hope must be a “diplomacy of justice,” stressing that peace is impossible without justice.
Fruitfulness of Dialogue is Rooted in Hope
The path to fully realising the theological virtues of faith, hope and love is not easy, and it comes with its fair share of challenges and struggles. It requires a continuous conversion and introspection, and this conversion is not a one-time event but a lifelong journey of repentance, renewal, and commitment to the values and teachings of Christ. It calls us to move beyond hypocrisy, political affiliations, social media distractions, and superficial connections, confronting our shortcomings and striving to live authentically.
So, too we are called to be messengers and ambassadors of hope with dialogue at its core—knowing that while dialogue is difficult and often painful, it is essential to healing and unity.
The Holy Father recognises that dialogue is never easy and is hard work. The challenging work of dialogue, the pope says, will help create a “culture of encounter.” It will lead to a society where we are “passionate about meeting others, seeking points of contact, building bridges, planning a project that includes everyone” (Fratelli Tutti -216). Creating this culture is a “difficult and slow process,” yet only it “is the guarantee of a genuine and lasting peace” (Fratelli Tutti-217).
The pope’s confidence in the fruitfulness of dialogue is rooted in hope—specifically hope “in the reserves of goodness present in human hearts” (Fratelli Tutti-196).
Lavoisier Fernandes, born and raised in Goa, is currently based in West London. His faith is “work in progress”- and a lifelong journey. He has always been fascinated by the Catholic faith, thanks to his Salesian schooling. He’s passionate about podcasting, theology, the papacy, and volunteering. He has hosted ‘Talking Faith’ series for Heavens Road FM, Catholic Radio, connecting with ordinary men and women within the Catholic faith, other faiths and examining issues affecting both the Church and society. He has also been a host on Shalom World Catholic TV for two episodes of the ‘Heart Talk’ series. He presently contributes for the Goa Diocesan magazine Renevacao.
