- February 2, 2015
- 11:10 am
- Al Gini
- no comments
Pope Francis and the Curia
Al Gini
Gini in a Bottle
Pope Francis and the Curia
As a student of management and leadership I cannot help but be impressed by the Pope Francis’ substance and style. He may be the high priest of the Catholic Church, but he is also the CEO of a huge international organization. And, as a leader, he is concerned about the product and the message of his organization as well as its management style. His message to his flock and his fellow priests is both clear and simple. The church is about service to others and the wellbeing of those they serve. Priests must act as a witness and model of what they preach, and not just authority figures. This past December instead of exchanging Christmas greeting and pleasantries with high ranking Cardinals and Bishops of the Curia, the Pope calmly and coolly admonished them in regard to their personal demeanor as well as their collective administration of the church. The Pope pointed out that many of the problems of the church today involve the management style of the church and not its message. He dispassionately reminded them that the real church is-“The people of God”, – and not just, its Priest, Bishops, and Cardinals. The Pope pointed out that like every large organization, the Church is vulnerable to “disease, malfunction, and infirmity.” He warned his audience that these kinds of failures “cause us to loose contact with the church’s true purpose and goals.” His bottom line was clear: The church is to serve and help, and not just act as absolute authoritarian guardians of religious faith. Pope Francis offered his rather stunned guests a list of “15 Diseases” that endanger the integrity of the church in todays’ world. Listed below are a few key elements of Francis’ critique.
- In being “Lords of the Manor”, we forget that our lives should be dedicated to service to others. We must constantly cultivate a spirit of service. We need more humility and generosity
- The “The Pathology of Power” leads us to think we are indispensable and always infallible.
- We must avoid “Existential Schizophrenia”, that is, we preach spirituality and humility, but we do not live it. Academic degrees and titles are not equivalent to spiritual wisdom.
- We must avoid “Possessing a Heart of Stone” and forgetting about forgiveness and redemption.
- We must take time to nurture and feed our own needs for spirituality. “Physician, heal thyself first!” We are not just working machines!
- Being a minister of God is not just being a “Functionary or an Accountant”. We cannot get trapped into a static unchanging position. We must be open “to freshness…innovation”.
- Our job is much more than being “Bureaucrats and Careerists”. We cannot be worried about personal success/glory. We are not here to honor rank and titles more than God.
- We must avoid the “Disease of Worldly Profit and Exhibitionism.”
- “Avoid Cliques”, closed circles, gossip.
- We want to avoid the “Funeral Face” the grim attitude toward life. An apostle must be polite, calm, cheerful, and convey joy. We must be full of humor. Our message is joy not damnation/sorrow.