The Priest and Anger
The Priest and Anger
The priest must not be quick-tempered. For his anger drives people away, not only from the priest himself, but also from the entire Church.
By his anger, he does not provide an example to his children of a life of meekness and calmness, nor of forbearance, nor of humility.
Perhaps in his anger he may fall into other mistakes as well. Anger is an obvious sin that causes people to stumble because of him.
And the quick-tempered priest cannot benefit people through his preaching, nor through his prayers, nor do they feel comfortable confessing to him.
For if he has not been able to control himself and overcome anger, how can he guide people spiritually?! And how can he teach them meekness and self-control?!
The quick-tempered priest is a person who uses authority and not love.
And people do not expect a clergyman to be like this. Rather, they expect him to be an example in love, gentleness, compassion, and in bearing the weaknesses of others, just as Christ bore our sins.
The people love the priest to be cheerful… and to have the spirit of fatherhood, a gentle smile, and expressions of tenderness and encouragement. He spreads peace and reassurance within their souls. For if their souls become troubled upon meeting him — through his anger — they suffer severe psychological discouragement…
Even if the priest thinks that he is expressing a holy anger for the sake of the truth, this should be without agitation, without nervousness.
He should place everything in its proper place, with firmness and not with noise, with the power of persuasion and not with sharpness and loudness of voice.
Persuasion is more enduring, even if it requires some effort. But some priests prefer to spare themselves this effort, contenting themselves with command, authority, and harshness!
And if the priest’s anger is due to his desire to carry out his own will, out of pride in his opinion, no matter how correct the other opinion may be, then the priest’s anger becomes a double sin and a deeper stumbling block!
And if his anger is due to material matters, or because of his insistence on taking the authorities of others, then anger reveals depths within his personality that are not in agreement with the ideals the people expect!!
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