Videoconference – Prof.
Igor Kowalewsky,
Permanent training
as help in renewing communication methods
A priest, in his Pontifex dimension as the noble Latin word states, is a
builder of bridges. A bridge, a link between people in today’s world, lacerated
by human tragedies, a loss of meaning, the absurdity of being, loss of hope,
ethnic, economic and psychological division... Hence the indispensable and
wished for necessity for this dimension of service by bishops, priests and deacons
both within the Church and outside it, therefore in the world’s functioning!
The world is
continuously losing the art, the sublime capability of communicating, of sharing thoughts, values and hope, of speaking
with no rancour or expectations, of opening up to one another. From a
theological point of view there is no other form of communication except Jesus
Christ. He is the Living Word, eternally spoken, incessantly pronounced by the
Father, constantly addressed at us, the Word of Love, the Revelation of the
substance of God, or according to contemporary theology, God’s
self-communication (Selbstmitteilung – Karl Rahner). Jesus Christ is therefore the Master of real
communication, Unique, He who speaks the Truth with love, with no manipulation,
as often happens in this world; He who not only provides information, but
creates with His Word and gives Life. This cannot be learned once and for all.
A priest must be committed to developing his main
pastoral and evangelising activities: communicate, establish relationships, and
not be afraid of this. This is possible with the help of permanent training. It
is true that the world changes very rapidly; the processes involving global
secularisation are fast ones and one could say moving at the speed of light
especially in
Christian personalism is of great help in this. One cannot be open to
others, establish a ‘one to one’ relationship, if a Christian does not know the
eternal You,
described by Martin Buber. Another person, a
neighbour could be unknown to us or even threatening if when speaking or
communicating one always thinks in the third person singular instead of the
second, as Gabriel Marcel teaches. Only in a life of prayer can one learn to
establish a relationship, communicate, and share our lives first with the Lord
and then with all others. This involves stability, loyalty to permanent
training. We cannot but have a solid attitude strengthened by attending
seminaries, exercises and meetings. Experience proves that priests today need
the support and help provided by Christian communities. Every individual needs
an environment in which he is welcomed and listened to without being judged. A
serious and mature relationship with God is at the root of this, allowing one
to grow up and become an adult within the faith, following Christ for the
Church and within the Church. The Church alone is the subject of training, and
it is her thoughtful care that makes her children, bishops and priests
included, reconciled and solid on this rock, well motivated, open and
apostolic.
I wish you all this
kind of permanent training! Thank you.