This past week we saw the passing of one of the political and ethical giants of the past century; Nelson Mandela. In an age of understandably increasing cynicism about politics and politicians Mandela stood as one who showed that the political process can still be used for the benefit of the whole rather than merely bending to the will of the powerful. Many will mistakenly place Mandela in the category of an idealistic unworldly sainthood. He was anything but! He made calculated political strategy but always from a position informed by ethics. This is something so desperately needed in the political sphere today when we see all too often politicians blatantly, and to put it bluntly, criminally motivated.
Yet the calling to politics and public life can still be one where good can be done. Mandela showed that. Recently while reading I came across another; the President of Uruguay, Jose Mujica, who seemingly has a total lack of interest in taking on the grand presidential lifestyle. Mujica donates 90 percent of his salary to charity and lives in a farmhouse off a dirt road where he and his wife work the land themselves. The austere leader earns $12,500 per month but only keeps $1,250 for himself. He was quoted in the Spanish newspaper El Mundo. “I do fine with that amount; I have to do fine because there are many Uruguayans who live with much less.”
The world is crying out for ethical leadership not only in politics but also in other spheres of public life; business and unions, religion and sport and entertainment. We do well to demand this of our leaders and refuse to countenance anything less. We must not submit to cynicism nor despair.
Nelson Mandela was able to lift the human spirit right around the world. He pointed us to something better that reminds each of us of our calling to live in such a manner with each other and reminded us that in this the full richness of human living is found.
John Queripel
Announcement: Due to circumstances beyond our control we are disappointed to announce the permanent closing of our Magnolia Program. We thank all those, too numerous to name, who have contributed over the years towards all the good work that has been carried out there.
Yet the calling to politics and public life can still be one where good can be done. Mandela showed that. Recently while reading I came across another; the President of Uruguay, Jose Mujica, who seemingly has a total lack of interest in taking on the grand presidential lifestyle. Mujica donates 90 percent of his salary to charity and lives in a farmhouse off a dirt road where he and his wife work the land themselves. The austere leader earns $12,500 per month but only keeps $1,250 for himself. He was quoted in the Spanish newspaper El Mundo. “I do fine with that amount; I have to do fine because there are many Uruguayans who live with much less.”
The world is crying out for ethical leadership not only in politics but also in other spheres of public life; business and unions, religion and sport and entertainment. We do well to demand this of our leaders and refuse to countenance anything less. We must not submit to cynicism nor despair.
Nelson Mandela was able to lift the human spirit right around the world. He pointed us to something better that reminds each of us of our calling to live in such a manner with each other and reminded us that in this the full richness of human living is found.
John Queripel
Announcement: Due to circumstances beyond our control we are disappointed to announce the permanent closing of our Magnolia Program. We thank all those, too numerous to name, who have contributed over the years towards all the good work that has been carried out there.