Listening Is Effective In Communication

An anonymous poster showed me an article which can be found here.  The article is entitled "Pope warns clergy on 'celibate life lived as sterility.'"  According to the article, there are many priests and bishops who hold in a lot of anger and frustrations.  Priests are angry at each other and even at their bishops, but rather than resolving these issues they hold in the anger and frustrations. 

After reading this article, this reminded me of the Neocatechumenal Way communities.  In the Way, we also have anger and frustrations with a brother or sister; however, we learned not to hold these frustrations inside us.  We confront the brother and sister, usually in the convivience.  In time, we learned to forgive each other and move on.  This is one of the miracles that one finds in the Way.  Anger is normal.  Everyone gets angry.  But to dispel the anger and find peace, it starts with forgiveness.   

Perhaps, if these priests were in a community and attended a convivience where they voice their complaints, things would not get so complicated as it is now.  In the community, we find that we are no better than the other.  According to the article (the bold is my emphasis): 

Say it to his face," the pope recommended. "You're a man, so if you have something against your bishop, go and tell him. There may be consequences, but pick up your cross, be a man!"

For every good or bad thing, there are always consequences.  However, it is always best to receive good consequences rather than bad ones.  Therefore, before facing the bishop it is always helpful for the priest to learn some effective communication skills.  Listening is part of effective communication.  Many times, people hear, but they do not listen.  There is a difference between hearing and listening.  Listening involves understanding.  The article goes on to state further: 

Pope Francis told the priests it is normal and even "healthy" to get angry, but wallowing in that, not getting it off his chest, not airing differences directly, but talking behind someone's back cause more damage.

The key to a fruitful life, the pope said, lies in "double fidelity and double transcendence: being faithful to God is seeking him, opening oneself to him in prayer, remembering that he is the faithful one," and "opening oneself to others" with empathy, respect and patience.

In communicating with others, it is important that we open ourselves to others with empathy, respect, and patience.  This part is certainly clear.  In no way is Pope Francis saying that a priest should go in yelling at the Bishop and calling him a liar.  He is saying to confront your bishop with empathy, respect, and patience.  

After reading this, I think that Pope Francis will agree with Archbishop Krebs.  In this article, the Pope said that if priests have problems with each other or even with their Bishop, they should confront the person.  In other words, deal with your internal problems yourselves.