1. A New Style of Leadership
18 & 19 October 2013
The Francis Effect:
A New Style of Leadership
Rev Noel Connolly SSC
Head of Mission & Culture
The Broken Bay Institute
Conjoint Lecturer, School of Humanities & Social Science
The University of Newcastle
Contemporary Catholic Governance Program

2. 18 & 19 October 2013
A Leader
Makes meaning in transitional times and prepares people for the future
Builds a learning and discerning community
Has a vision that inspires and gives a sense of mission
Contemporary Catholic Governance Program

3. His enormous appeal A normal, simple pastoral priest
“He is interested in people and their good. The world still looks for goodness, for kindness and common sense.” W Grimm
Merciful and not self-referential/serving
Pastoral care takes priority over all else

4. Evangelii Gaudium His “I have a dream speech”.
The statement of a free man – freeing us to dream
Revealing himself.

5. A Pope who wants to talk with us
He is a pope who is not afraid of actual conversation, real questions and talk of human frailty.
His style is deeply pastoral and encouraging. He is comfortable with being fallible and is not at all defensive.
He models the virtues he attributes to Mary. “In her we see that humility and tenderness are not virtues of the weak but of the strong who need not treat others poorly in order to feel important themselves.” #288

6. A leader who can live with responsibility and ambiguity
The defining aspect of this change of epoch is that things are no longer in their place. Our previous ways of explaining the world and relationships, good and bad, no longer appears to work. The way in which we locate ourselves in history has changed. Things we thought would never happen, or that we never thought we would see, we are experiencing now, and we dare not even imagine the future. That which appeared normal to us – family, the Church, society and the world – will probably no longer seem that way. We cannot simply wait for what we are experiencing to pass, under the illusion that things will return to being how they were before. To priests of Rome September 2103

7. A leader who doesn’t have to control everything
"It is not advisable for the pope to take the place of local bishops in the discernment of every issue which arises in their territory. In this sense, I am conscious of the need to promote a sound 'decentralization.’" #16
The Pope emphasises the Episcopal Conference #32 but he also wants the Church “to listen to everyone”. #31
This will involve new level of faith, spirituality, skills and structures

8. An inspiring Vision rather than a critique
An attractive & joyful face
Gaudium et Spes pilgrim or seeker
Church is normally critical of the modern world
But all cultures are places to encounter God and ambiguous as well
Befriend
Positive and critical - discerning

9. A spiritual, redeemed leader who still needs to be evangelised
Evangelii Gaudium reads as the compassionate and merciful reflections of a sinner who is confident that he has been forgiven.
He argues that we need to experience Jesus’ compassion in a wonderful personal way to go out to the world and especially the poor with mercy and compassion.
We do not possess God or all God’s activity.
Pope Francis encourages us to dialogue with the world, with the State, with the sciences and with people of other faiths. #
We have much to learn as well as to give.

10. 18 & 19 October 2013
A Leader
Makes meaning in transitional times and prepares people for the future
Builds a learning and discerning community
Has a vision that inspires and gives a sense of mission
Contemporary Catholic Governance Program

11. Questions for Reflection
What do you find most attractive about Pope Francis’ leadership?
What can you learn?