Leadership theme in letter to young

Sydney
8 June 2003

Leadership theme in letter to young

The Archbishop of Sydney, Archbishop George Pell, discusses his Pentecost Pastoral on Leadership with students

By Marita Franklin

Pope John Paul II’s call on the young to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth is an important inspiration, the Archbishop of Sydney, Dr George Pell, tells the young people of Sydney in his Pastoral Letter to them for the feast of Pentecost.

Archbishop Pell has chosen leadership as the theme in this year’s letter, to be issued on Sunday, June 8.

The model of leadership he presents draws heavily on the example of Jesus at the Last Supper, the day before he was crucified, when he washed the feet of his disciples using a basin and towel.

“You call me Master and Lord, and rightly: so I am. If I, then, the Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you must wash each other’s feet” (John 13-15).

Dr Pell addresses some of the qualities leaders need.

These include following clear goals, being courageous and having “grace under pressure” to stand for good and against evil.

“Leaders must like and respect their peers and those they serve and lead,” he says. This means being able to listen, to understand problems so that there is effective two-way communication. All good leaders strive to enhance a genuine sense of community.”

On Christian leadership, the Pastoral Letter tells young people: “Jesus also calls us to a conversion of faith. The first and greatest commandment is to love the unseen God, our Father. It is the second great commandment to love our neighbour as ourselves” (Mark 12:31).

Pope John Paul II is presented as one of the great leaders of the present age, and his call on young people through World Youth Days to be the light of the world, the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13-14) is an important inspiration.

The archbishop recalls that the Pope, in his Jubilee 2000 message, called on the young to be “saints of the new millennium”.

Dr Pell urges young people to be leaders.

“Older Catholics, bishops, priests and religious, teachers and politicians, grand-parents are proud of the vitality and enthusiasm of our young leaders,” he says.

“More are needed. We support and encourage you. We want you to do God’s will more effectively than we have. This would be our greatest consolation.”

In preparing his Pastoral Letter, Archbishop Pell consulted students in Catholic schools as well as young adults involved in parish and ethnic groups in the archdiocese.

Copies of the letter will be available in all parishes this weekend and from the website of the archdiocese, www.sydney.catholic.org.au

Bishop Daniel, the Coptic Orthodox Bishop for the diocese of Sydney and affiliated regions (NSW, Queensland and the Northern Territory), presented the new State MP for Rockdale, Frank Sartor, with a Coptic icon of the Virgin Mary at a recent reception in Mr Sartor’s honour.

The hand-painted stained glass icon from Egypt was presented to Mr Sartor, the former Lord Mayor of Sydney, whose electorate includes St Mary and

St Mina’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral and a college, plus the bishop’s residence in Bexley.

The community also has a parish and a theological college in Arncliffe.

Also present on the night were the Egyptian Consul-General of Sydney, Ahmed Al Kowisini, Cr Angela Koutoulas of Rockdale Council and Coptic Orthodox clergy and lay leaders.

KEY POINTS OF THE PASTORAL LETTER

• Jesus is a great leader. More people have chosen to follow him than any other person in history.
• His teachings continue to strike us as unusual. They bring life and hope, but some are difficult.
• His teachings on leadership are also unusual. When Jesus washed the feet of his disciples he gave us an example of servant leadership that he wants us to follow.
• Genuine leaders must have sound principles, personally chosen. These principles will not be self-centred, but directed outwards from the heart, based on an understanding of what is good for society.
• Good leaders are enthusiastic and able to inspire enthusiasm in others. They can accept criticism, and their leadership is enhanced by composure and courtesy under pressure.
• Genuine leadership always involves some sort of struggle to prevent the advancement of evil. Sometimes this struggle for good is unpopular and misunderstood. Often leaders need courage to take these stands.
• Every time we take a stand it becomes a little easier next time. Every time we fail to rise to the challenge it becomes harder. St Paul had it right in his letter to the Romans: “Do not be conformed to this world.”
• Jesus’ teachings are not limited to morality and social justice. He also calls us to conversion of faith. Christian leaders have to be men and women of faith who find meaning for their lives in the person and teaching of Jesus Christ, the only Son of God.
• Christian leaders struggle against the false hopes and the many siren voices calling us in the wrong direction to danger and personal destruction. Christian leaders are clear headed and plain spoken about these dangers.
• The Church in Australia is proud of the vitality and enthusiasm of our young leaders. More are needed. Pope John Paul, one of the greatest leaders of our age, has called young people to be “saints of the new millennium”. May more and more of you answer this call to lead us into the future.