Silence and Ministry

Three Reflections on the Role of Silence in Prayer, Conflict and Ministry

FAIRACRES PUBLICATIONS 102

‘The character of the pastor involves, at its centre, the posture of attention, of waiting both upon God and upon the voices of the people whom we seek to serve. Pastoral care … begins in silent contemplation, … Pastoral ministry has to begin at the level of watching and listening to the hidden voices of the streets.’ All concerned with Christian ministry will recognize the relevance of these talks given at a theological seminary. Kenneth Leech suggests that cultivating silence is necessary for growth in prayer and the vision of God; it is critical for the Church’s confrontation of the ideologies of the modern world; and it is basic to the theology and nature of the priesthood. ‘If you forget everything else, remember that any authentic priesthood must derive from an inner core of silence, a life hid with Christ in God.’ Kenneth Leech was born in 1939 and ordained priest in 1965. He is the author of numerous publications, including ‘Soul Friend’, and ‘Spirituality and Pastoral Care’. He was Community Theologian at St Botolph’s Church, Aldgate, London between 1991 and 2004 and now lives in the Diocese of Manchester. He is a Priest Associate of the Community of the Sisters of the Love of God.