by Cardinal George Pell

Editor’s Note: Each year on the Feast of Pentecost, Cardinal George Pell of the Archdiocese of Sydney, Australia, writes a Pastoral Letter to the young people of Sydney. Last year the theme was Leadership. NextWave Faithful thanks Cardinal Pell for allowing us to republish this Pastoral Letter for young adults around the world.

Jesus, the Way, the Truth, the Light

Jesus Christ is a great leader. More people have chosen to follow him than any other person in history.

Nearly 2000 years after his death, we Australian Catholics are his followers, in a continent on the other side of the world from his homeland.

Why is the number of Catholics still increasing in Australia and throughout many countries? What teachings of Jesus must his followers accept to be called Christian?

Jesus' teachings continue to strike us as unusual. They bring life and hope, but some are difficult. Many of Our Lord's teachings today are attacked vigorously in the media and advertising; especially those on marriage, family and sexuality, on life issues, on helping the poor and disadvantaged, and on the importance of faith.

Jesus' teachings on leadership are also unusual. He preached more on the importance of service than on the exercise of authority (Matthew 20). He left us nothing on the duties of kings or princes, much on the danger of riches (Matthew 19).

At the Last Supper, the day before he was crucified, Jesus gave us an example to be followed when he washed the feet of his disciples with 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).

Jesus often described himself as the Good Shepherd, who looks after his sheep, defends them against wolves and even risks the safety of the flock to go searching for the one that is lost. His leadership is an exercise of love; often strong love, even tough love as He confronts evil doers. Jesus drove the money changers out of the Temple (Matthew 21). But Jesus was not a careerist. He came to do the will of God his father (John 5). In no way was he a "powerhead". He was the ultimate example of servant leadership.

The good shepherd knows and loves his sheep and is, in fact, prepared to lay down his life for them. A bad shepherd runs away when danger approaches (John 10). Bad or weak parents, clergy or teachers also put themselves first.

Jesus was not a smooth talking leader who only told his listeners what they wanted to hear. When he explained that he was proposing to leave his Body to eat and Blood to drink, many left him (John 6). His followers were told that following Christ only comes at some personal cost; that they had to take up their own cross (Matthew 16). This burden was not too heavy and Christians have the promise of eternal life after death (John 6).

Jesus led by example, but his message then as now had a mixed reception. Some teachings were popular; some were unpopular, other teachings were thought to be far fetched, impossibly difficult, over the top.

Jesus usually did not teach in a lecture hall, or in a synagogue where the audience would not interrupt. He taught the crowds in the open, surrounded by friends, enemies trying to trap him, the curious and those with nothing better to do. There were often confrontations.

Many joined up, became his followers because they realized that here was a leader who spoke with authority (Matthew 7); someone who was sincere, enthusiastic, knew what he was talking about and practiced what he preached. No one could convict him of sin (John 8). He gained strength and wisdom through his regular prayer (Mark 1).

What qualities do leaders need?

Many times since I was a boy I have heard it said that unless people stand for something they will fall for anything. This is almost completely true.

If Christian belief and practice declined radically in Australia (there is some evidence the rise in unbelief has leveled off), most people would not turn to science and reason. They would be superstitious, choosing bits and pieces from a mishmash of the great religious traditions and New Age recipes.

Think of the tens of thousands of Australians who look at their horoscopes each day to read their future in the stars. Some of them are even serious about this neo-pagan nonsense.

Therefore all genuine leaders must have clear sound principles, personally chosen.

Such principles will not be self-centered, but directed outwards from the heart, based on an understanding of what is good for society; for their Church or school, business or sport, for their work or profession.

Such principles will enable leaders to set clear goals for themselves, to have clear ambitions for their groups and so help others to plot their course, discover the direction in which they should be traveling.

Naturally, leaders must like and respect their peers and those they serve and lead. 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.

Good leaders are enthusiastic, not necessarily demonstrative, and able to inspire enthusiasm in others. Good leaders say "thanks" regularly and mean it.

A few, very few, seem born to lead, but most leaders are made, formed and helped by the leadership of mentors. Sometimes we learn from experience what leaders should not do. But we should not be envious, regularly cutting down the "tall poppies".

It is unhealthy for any organization when members are afraid to criticize and when leaders take policy criticisms as always being personal insults. Composure and courtesy under pressure enhance good leadership. Panic and pessimism are catching and counter-productive. Consistency and a regular striving to treat people fairly help produce stability.

It is often claimed that Edmund Burke, the great Irish statesman of the eighteenth century, said "It is necessary only for the good man to do nothing for evil to triumph". This truth is not found anywhere in his writings, but he certainly did write, with equal truth: "when bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one".

Therefore genuine leadership always involves some sort of struggle to prevent the advancement of evil; in our families, parishes, schools, business, politics, even sport and the arts. Good people should work together.

Sometimes this struggle for good is unpopular and misunderstood. Often leaders need courage, "grace under pressure" to take these stands.

The first such occasion when we go against the flow is often the most difficult. 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. When we regularly face the small challenges, we are better able to resist grave temptations. When I was educated years ago, again and again, we were urged to stand on our own feet, make up our own mind, and not go with the crowd. This was good, indeed invaluable, advice. St. Paul had it right in his letter to the Romans: "Do not be conformed to this world" (Romans 12).

Leaders are also called to act against abuses, justly and prudently. Victims and outsiders of good will require this. So does justice.

Christian Leadership

Australians like winners, those who are successful, although most Australians have a genuine sympathy for the underdog, if we meet one of them in real life.

But there is an old saying: "Born in castles or cottages, the greatest was born in a stable."

Worldly success, great ability in some particular area such as leadership does not rate too highly in the Christian scheme of things. In the parable of the talents Jesus told us that it matters little whether we have one or ten talents. All that God requires is that we use productively whatever we have, many or few. We shall be punished for waste or inactivity (Matthew 25).

Good leaders are always striving towards the truth. This highlights the importance of checking our personal values and goals against the New Testament before we claim that any particular doctrine is "Christian". Sometimes today the Jesus presented to us is only a caricature of political correctness, far removed from the fascinating and demanding prophet and religious leader in the gospels who was crucified for his claims.

Jesus did not just teach about social justice, or life issues, or sexuality. His teachings were not limited to morality alone.

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 neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12). We are all children of God called to unity. Jesus' followers were called friends not servants. He formed other leaders.

Therefore 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; who realize that all human struggles have to be considered in the light of eternity, judged by their consequences for good or ill in the next life. What would Jesus do in this situation?

Christian leaders struggle against the false hopes that threaten to trap us today; unthinking prosperity, disregard for the poor, downgrading of children, glamorizing sexual irresponsibility, escape through alcohol and drugs. There are many siren voices calling us in the wrong direction, to danger and personal destruction. Christian leaders are clearheaded and straightforward about these dangers.

Christian leaders worship and pray regularly for themselves and others; for forgiveness, for wisdom and strength, and to praise God.

They know what they stand for.

Young Leaders are Needed Today

The Catholic Church in Australia today is facing external pressures and internal challenges. The danger of a dramatic religious collapse has been averted, the number of Catholics continues to rise, but a decline in religious practice continues steadily. Probably the level of deep personal Christian faith across the nation is lower now than at any time in Australia since the middle of the nineteenth century.

But there are also real openings, opportunities to be grasped by young Catholic leaders in every sphere of activity. The old Catholic-Protestant bitterness is gone in Australia; most young adults are not hostile to Christianity, but confused and indifferent. An increasing minority are searching for meaning, for exemplars to follow, a God to believe in.

Membership to the Catholic Church is a wonderful honor. We belong to a proud community of worship and service; flawed and sinful certainly, always in need of renewal, but a tradition of truth and beauty nonetheless.

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

Pope John Paul, one of the great leaders of our age, has called on young people to be the light of the world, the salt of the earth (Matthew 5). In his Jubilee 2000 message he called you to be "saints of the new millennium".

This is our prayer for you in Australia. It is God's will. May more and more of you answer this call to lead us into the future.