Here in the United States, blessed as we are to live in a republican form of democracy, we've grown accustomed to bucking authority. In our "government of the people, by the people, for the people," to quote President Abraham Lincoln, we ourselves are the authority, constitutionally speaking at least. The liberties provided under the Constitution of these United States into which we have been born or naturalized, blessedly so, differ from the obligations accompanying baptism into and continued sacramental participation in the Roman Catholic Church. The government and the status quo have had their share of dissenters on either end of the ideological spectrum, protesting everything from wars, such as Viet Nam and Iraq, to laws, whether properly crafted through constitutionally provided legislative processes or fabricated by courtloads of agenda-driven judicial activists like those who cooked up Roe v. Wade. This decidedly American spirit of protest, however, has developed an increasing tendency to bleed over into some people's personal and individual approach to other forms of authority, including the relationship between some American Catholics with the Roman Catholic Church. All too often the mainstream media tends to consciously exacerbate the situation. Just such an instance took place recently when MSNBC provided a "Live Vote" poll on its website. The poll asked, "Do you agree with the Vatican's decision to excommunicate female priests and the bishops who ordain them?" Rather than offer merely "Yes" and "No" choices for voters, the poll listed, "Yes, church law states that only a baptized male can be made a priest," and, "No, women priests could help the church deal with its clergy shortage." The news organization's poll, run with the caveat that it wasn't a "scientific survey," came in the wake of a decree issued in late May by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith that made clear that any ordination of women priests would be met with automatic excommunication of the women as well as any participating bishop. Excommunication, as described in the Catechism (1463), is "the most severe ecclesiastical penalty, which impedes the reception of the sacraments and the exercise of certain ecclesiastical acts," and is incurred by the commission of "[c]ertain particularly grave sins." Despite the portrayal of the Church as some monolithic, male-dominated organization heavyhandedly hammering dissent into the ground, excommunication isn't imposed by the Church, it's imposed on one's self by one's self as a consequence of one's actions. Excommunication is a state entered into by those lacking the humility to subjugate themselves to the authority of the Church and its magisterium, often in favor of some social or political agenda held apparently closer to the offender's heart than their own Catholicism. We've got twenty centuries worth of Roman Catholicism to which to refer, and the Church has been rather diligent at maintaining a written record, including her rules and regulations. Beside Holy Scripture, we have the Catechism and other inspired writings going back to those who sat at table with Jesus Christ Himself. The Catechism (1577) quotes the Codex Iuris Canonici (Code of Canon Law) that "[o]nly a baptized man validly receives sacred ordination," and goes on to explain that "[t]he Lord Jesus chose men to form the college of the twelve apostles, and the apostles did the same when they chose collaborators to succeed them in their ministry. The college of bishops, with whom the priests are united in the priesthood, makes the college of the twelve an ever-present and ever-active reality until Christ's return. The Church recognizes herself to be bound by this choice made by the Lord himself. For this reason, the ordination of women is not possible." The United States is replete with those claiming that they "have a right" to this or that or the other thing. The Constitution establishes what our "rights" are, what freedoms we enjoy. Too often, judicial activists and even our lawmakers are all too willing to extraconstitutionally fabricate into law "rights" that are unrecognizable as such in the light of natural law and policies tenuously based on nothing more than what can at best be described as junk science. Such was the origin of such societal afflictions as Roe v. Wade, evolution being taught in our schools, and global warming. Origin of the specious, to say the least. Gay "marriage" is the next item on the "have a right" list. The "women priest" crowd falls somewhere on that list, in direct contradiction to Church teaching. "No one," the Catechism states (1578), "has a right to receive the sacrament of Holy Orders. Indeed no one claims this office for himself; he is called to it by God. Anyone who thinks he recognizes the signs of God's call to the ordained ministry must humbly submit his desire to the authority of the Church, who has the responsibility and right to call someone to receive orders. Like every grace this sacrament can be received only as an unmerited gift."
Leadership is a choice not a position. Please don’t confuse the two, as many of us so easily can. A title next to his/her name doesn’t qualify him/her as a leader. In researching Leadership I found that there are four major characteristics that people look for in Leaders. They came to me in a content-rich book The Leadership Challenge. The two authors conducted a survey over six continents: North America, South America, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Australia. A majority of the data came from the United States. Kouzes and Posner asked people, “What values do you look for and admire in your leader?” The top four in correct sequence were Honesty, Forward Looking, Competence, and Inspiration.
Honesty, wow! How many of the leaders in country are honest? It almost seems like an oxymoron linking honest and politician in the same sentence. This should be clear to our leaders that people want them to be straightforward. Honesty can also be tied in with Integrity, Character, and most importantly, a set of values on how one decides to live his/her life. Honesty in our leaders is crucial because we are a society that teaches “perfection”. It is great to strive for perfection and being the best in one’s chosen field. But it is another aspect to not admit our faults or accept responsibility for our actions. Our greatest growth spurts come from mistakes. These can be seen as “growing pains”. Often it is a tough situation but we come out stronger. Two of our most admired leaders are Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr., people who contained a set of values and were honest. “Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.” Thomas Jefferson
Being honest as a leader will earn you the respect of your team, but having the vision is what will keep you there. The second quality that Kouzes and Posner found was Forward Looking. You don’t have to have the ability to see the future or some grand vision, but you do have to select the destination at which your team should arrive and is responsible that the focus and discipline are directed toward that path. Earl Nightingale said it best, “A goal is a general progression towards a worthy ideal.” Having the ability to see what you want to accomplish in six months to a year is crucial to leading a group of individuals. Society has conditioned us to see as far in advance as our weekend plans. Leaders have the ability to keep the team on track and aiming for a target.
The third quality of an admired leader is competence. Being competent can be an attribute associated with many positions. But with Leadership it means having the ability to carry out tasks and having a good track record to prove it. Leaders do not need to know how to perform every skill in their organization; however, they do need to know who performs them the best, and have great advisors in those areas. Leadership competency also involves working well with people. The days of the autocratic military leadership style are no longer. There used to be a time in this country when three hundred presidents of the top fortune five hundred companies had a military background. Studies are showing that there is a difference in leading different types of generations. Listening is more then 80% of great communication and often a skill that is overlooked. Getting a group of individuals to come together as a team and share in the vision is what being a competent leader is all about.
Can you motivate your people? I believe the answer is no. Motivation comes from within. However, great leaders usually have the ability to inspire people, which lead us to our last quality Inspiration. It is not enough to tell your staff the vision, and expect them to jump on board. You have to show them true enthusiasm. Attitudes and Emotions are contagious. In sports often times the team adopts the philosophy of its head coach. The same can be looked at in business. As the leader you are responsible for the morale of the team. When enthusiasm and passion start to waiver, teams quickly loose sight of the goal. Inspiring leaders are able to show people the connection and impact that their work has on the company. We are finding today’s employees want praise, acceptance and belonging, compassion, and job security. This is why being able to inspire people is such a critical aspect of being a great leader.
Test the Leadership of your Organization
If you want to put your top leaders to the test get everyone involved in a community service activity. You could have them involved in anything and assign them positions at random. Then sit back and see if your “leaders” within the company are able to lead individuals whom they have never met and have no control over. Also observe and see whom the participants gravitate towards.
Consultant
Eric Papp travels the country speaking to business leaders and organizations. He helps
them understand Generation Y employees and customers.
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{Webmaster note -I asked Father Domek if he could share with us some insights on the inspiration of the brave Catholics of Poland who endured such persecution under the communists. Here is what he shared:}
" I think many of you wonder how it was possible for us to endure so much persecution from the communist government. Along with Mother Teresa of Calcutta we may ask the following: What is the mightiest power in the world? We know the answer is FAITH. The Acts of the Apostles show us how the Christians of the primitive Church were able to persevere in the way of Christ. Everything was done through FAITH, which is the source of strength and gives energy for us to follow in the way of the Church.
Throughout the centuries in Poland, FAITH has been a stabilizing power in living united with Christ and His Church. This power has been developed within the Family. The Family became the first Church where parents, children and young people have received and obtained a great model of how to live and practice the Catholic FAITH. The polish people always remained steadfast amidst the Communist persecutions. In union with the Church, they always defended their dignity and identity. They were fully aided by the superb ministry of Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski and by the beautiful attitude of Cardinal Karol Wojtyla.
Today, the Polish people continue to grow as a Church family so that the Truth of Salvation of the Risen Christ will reach their new generation and illuminate the path of the new evangelization of the third Millennium of the Catholic Church. I hope this short reflection will be of some good to you. I wish much Peace and Blessings for you and your Family. Greetings, Father Kazimierz Domek"
