Allow me to use two quotes from my book, A Radical Love. They are words I heard from two knowledgeable and sincere “outsiders.”
One of the senior-most doctors at CMC Hospital, Vellore: “We would like to learn from Catholic priests and religious your dedication.” This experienced medical professional had come across extremely dedicated Catholic priests and religious.
An educated and very friendly Hindu lady, talking to Catholic friends: “I have come to know a number of Catholic priests and sisters rather well. I am not impressed by most. Before being members of special groups, you are human beings, like the rest of us, with all our weaknesses. If you have found ways of overcoming the human weaknesses we all face—greed, jealousy, anger, egoism—then, you have something to teach us. Otherwise, why should anyone come to you to learn?”
Joining a special group—a religious order, or the IAS, or an elite unit in the army, or a gym—is for a simple reason: to do more competently and more professionally what everyone is called to.
Speaking as an “insider” to other insiders, we will know our strengths and weaknesses even more clearly. We will be familiar with the saints, heroes, mediocrities and unsavoury characters among us.
All professional groups have heroes, mediocrities and utterly disappointing members. All groups officially claiming higher motivation and commitment to service have done inspiring, relevant, courageous service—and also disappointed.
When we discuss urgent priorities—whether in a family or one religious house or a whole religious order—opinions differ. That is why we have house assemblies, provincial chapters, general chapters, etc.—to listen to one another and to those for whom we work, to pray and discern God’s plans, and to choose the best options, rather than go for what is merely easy or the whim of a few.
Having met many religious of all ages and positions, and after listening to a good number in the intimacy of spiritual direction (where people reveal their deepest experiences and most painful problems, which do not come out in community discussions and WhatsApp messages), I see the following as our topmost priorities. I do not claim that this is the best list possible. It is more than likely that equally well-informed and sincere religious may tick off priorities differently.
Fr Joe Mannath SDB
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