THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

IN electoral defeat, Nick Clegg and other Liberal Democrats said that now, more than ever, we need the spirit of liberalism; that, in these days of fear and division, we need to rediscover that liberality that enables different peoples to be hopeful and united in one community, one nation.

Whilst not disclosing how I voted, I must say that I was moved by these words. It was a timely reminder that no one political party has a monopoly of liberality. Grace, compassion, loving kindness, mutual respect, a thirst for justice for all peoples and a willingness to understand, forgive and move on together, are central to good politics and good religion, because they are at the heart of what it means to be human. The French philosopher and Jesuit priest, Teilhard de Chardin, said, “We are not human beings learning to be spiritual, but spiritual beings learning to be human.” Let us – sons and daughters of the living God – be gracious and recognise that we all have a lot to learn and we will only learn from and with one another.

PETER KNIGHT Vicar of Malvern Link with Cowleigh