I agree with that idea, that integrity and trustworthiness in leadership could be a lead-in to evangelization. If by leadership we mean the Holy Trinity and the saints!
I agree with that idea, that integrity and trustworthiness in leadership could be a lead-in to evangelization. If by leadership we mean the Holy Trinity and the saints!
A lot of people come to the Church through the influence of Catholic laity or clergy. We often meet God in other people first. Even for those who are already in the Church, honest, trustworthy clergy can have an enormous effect on those they lead.
But lying, prevaricating, omitting, or deceiving people about those clergy who lack integrity and trustworthiness only serves to make the Church less trustworthy and less holy. It serves to make outsiders think that the Church's members are mildly brainwashed, to be defending such things, and it weakens those seeking holiness who are already members. It is whitewashing a tomb while rolling in the bones.
I agree with that idea, that integrity and trustworthiness in leadership could be a lead-in to evangelization. If by leadership we mean the Holy Trinity and the saints!
A lot of people come to the Church through the influence of Catholic laity or clergy. We often meet God in other people first. Even for those who are already in the Church, honest, trustworthy clergy can have an enormous effect on those they lead.
But lying, prevaricating, omitting, or deceiving people about those clergy who lack integrity and trustworthiness only serves to make the Church less trustworthy and less holy. It serves to make outsiders think that the Church's members are mildly brainwashed, to be defending such things, and it weakens those seeking holiness who are already members. It is whitewashing a tomb while rolling in the bones.