Authority in Religious Life: About the Importance of Nonviolent Leadership Style
The question of authority in religious life has been widely debated in the Church. Scholars as Franc Card. Rode and Gianfranco A. Gardin assert that authority from religious/consecrated leaders “must seek the face of God”: “Persons in authority will have to cultivate first in themselves an openness to listening to others and to the signs of the times and promote the dignity of the person.” Also Gerald McConnell argues that the authority of religious superiors must differ from a legal authority. It could never be an authority for power over, but it should be a Christ-like authority rooted in the power of the Holy Spirit. Authority in the Church is not for domination but for service. However, this perspective of service has not been adequately addressed after the second Vatican council. In our article, we will pay attention to the issue of how to listen (dialogue) and to communicate in a nonviolent way, inspired by the idea that authority is meant as service. Our research addresses the issue of the use of authority for service, focusing on listening and dialoguing with special attention to nonviolent communication. In our research, we will be exploring Marshall Rosenberg’s principles of nonviolent communication because they could help us in exercising authority in religious life. We will juxtapose them against violent communication that blocks compassion and supports “power over” and disservice, to reveal the traditionally misunderstood connections between authority for service and domination. We argue that authority is for meeting the needs of people by observing carefully their situation, getting in touch with their feelings to identify their needs and together explore positive strategies to meet the needs by making a doable request. Marshall Rosenberg’s principles of nonviolent communication offer practical tools for dialogue, leadership, and promotion of the dignity of the human person. His principles are learnable and could be embodied.
