The particular contribution which the charism of unity can give to politics may be compared to “the role the stem plays in supporting the flowering of personal initiatives promoted by or together with citizens; and it becomes true service, unifying the efforts of all towards the common good.” [2]

In carrying out their service, whether at the national or international level, administrative, territory, local government, or neighborhood level, “while remaining faithful to their own authentic ideals, ‘politicians of unity’ love not only the politicians of their own party but also those of other parties, and live in harmony with all. They do this across national and regional parliaments, in local councils, in the political sphere, and in various civic and political initiative groups. And unity thus experienced is carried as a leaven even among the parties themselves, in institutions, in every sphere of public life, in relations between nations.” [3]

Unity, experienced in all spheres starting from the closest relationships, has often been defined by Chiara Lubich with the term fraternity: “If fraternity is necessary everywhere, it cannot fail to be so in politics. Therefore, politicians, like everyone else, are called to commit to putting it into practice and to feel like brothers and sisters among themselves, before their passion for their own party, before the choices that distinguish the different options. Fraternal love unites, sheds light on the decisions to be made, and makes us more capable of achieving the goal of politics itself: the common good.

[…] One of the effects that fraternity can produce in local government is true freedom. […] Furthermore, fraternity can achieve effective equality in the city, which consists in creating the conditions so that each citizen, family, association, company and school can express their personality and fulfill their vocation, giving the best of themselves.” [4]

The horizon of political commitment, in Chiara Lubich’s thought, can be broadened beyond the institutional dimension to the territorial, national, and international levels, in relational dynamics between elected officials and the electorate, an expression of the need (and the possibility) for citizens to participate in social and political life, in which, without exception, everyone should participate.

“Ms Lubich intensely expresses the scope of her intentions.” states Professor Alicia Camilloni, in the Laudatio for the conferral of the Doctorate in Dialogue with Contemporary Culture to Chiara Lubich. “Her word, which speaks of respect for human rights through a constant defense of the dignity of women and men in the face of the multiple injustices they suffer in this world, a world that she seeks to make better, invites the participation of all those who, like us, nurture the hope that a form of life based on an ethic of solidarity will be established in the world. Moreover everyone should also assume their responsibilities towards the poor and defenseless of the planet which is a violation, an essential denial of human existence that shows that true freedom must be for everyone, otherwise it belongs to no one. […] This extraordinary example of a prophetic and liberating humanism, in which thought, feeling and action are integrated, Ms Lubich receives our highest appreciation and admiration [5]”