“Brothers, ideas are to be argued, situations to be discerned” – Pope Francis

This is part of the letter of the Holy Father to the bishops of Chile dated 15 May 2018. The bishops were accused by many Chileans of sexual abuses and of covering up these crimes. The letter was an invitation for them to come to Rome.

Full of brotherly concern Our Holy Father welcomed them saying, “We are gathered to discern, not to argue.”

After their exclusive meeting with the Pope in Rome all the bishops decided to resign. Only a few resignations were accepted.

I have not read the letter. I read only a good commentary on the remarkable way our Holy Father communicates himself.

Discernment is an indispensable attitude and path in the journey of interreligious dialogue. It demands, first of all, silence and listening. Yes, listening not only with the two ears but also with the so-called “third ear of the heart.” There is such a heartfelt attitude and feeling of listening that makes for sweet and melodious reception of sounds of human voices, musical instruments and nature’s movements.

A Greek philosopher centuries before Christ was born had already expressed it so well. He said that the reason why God created us with two ears and only one mouth was for us to listen twice as much as we speak. But humanity for the most part has not learned to listen. Instead talking has become an obsession. Endless talks have been a great obstacle in human communication.