Command and control system must give way to love and compassion.

“Good governance is the exercise of power and authority that enables a right relationship among members and leaders for effective and efficient functioning” said Archbishop John Moolachira of Guwahati.

With the present day awakening to human rights and the fundamental equality of all as children of God, the autocratic structure of the past with its command control system, and even the democratic practice of the present with its majority rule system, are inadequate to bring about good governance.

The servant leadership of Jesus model carries with it the characteristics of good governance.

The Church and all its organizations and institutions must excel in these characteristics which are spelt out by the United Nations as participation, transparency, accountability, responsiveness, equity and inclusiveness, efficiency and effectiveness, consensus mode of decision making and rule of law.

The Archbishop was addressing the Major Superiors of religious congregations in the North East.

“Many in the Church feel,” he said, “that it is good for the Church and religious institutes as well. These ensure that the command and control system will give way to love and compassion. It will ensure fairness and just regulation in all aspects of life and mission, leading to equality of opportunities.”

He further added: “Decision making will not produce dissidents whose minds produce negative energy.”

“In short, the space between the giver and the receiver, superior and the subject will be reduced. It will create transparency in all spheres of management enhancing participation and accountability. Then the voice of the weak and the helpless are reflected, acted upon and empowered.”

Religious life is to be lived with passion and integrity for the sake of the kingdom of God. If members are resource persons and experts in their ministries, they work together for the common good. As all are part of the process they know they have equal opportunities and are empowered. There is no black sheep or lording over others, cover up of one’s ambiguity or inefficiency.

“Let us follow the rule of love professed and lived by Jesus. Let our dioceses and congregations and institutes be ruled by compassion and love, let our decisions be of consensus, let our actions be transparent and participatory and let our homes be where children of God live together” said the Archbishop in his message to the religious of the North Region, which has a unique identity in the Indian Church.

Source: CRI