The responsibility of those in authority.

"During Tertianship I had one of the most beautiful experiences in my life: when I was in Salamanca, my instructor, a strong and fervent Jesuit, twice Provincial and rector, well known among the Spanish Jesuits, got angry frequently and raised his voice. Once, during my Tertianship, he got angry with me, thinking that I had planned a pastoral experience different from the one planned for Lent. I was completely unaware of it. I had agreed to a specific request made by the Provincial, who suggested that I go to Albania.

I remember that after a few minutes he realized that he was overreacting. He came to my room, asked for forgiveness, knelt down and wanted to confess. The humility of this man who got angry and immediately came to ask forgiveness to restore our friendship was a lesson that inspired me and I hope to continue remembering this lesson throughout my life. Such a gesture made by a person who carries the weight of authority on his shoulders inspires others to open their hearts and welcome the King of Kings. There is a similar beautiful biblical example, that of Jesus who enters Jerusalem riding a donkey, as David did in his time when he entered Hebron. These are responsibilities that are sometimes particularly heavy, others may be lighter, but all indicate that we are all responsible and custodians of our brothers".

This experience was recounted by Fr. Massimo Nevola, Superior of the Community of St. Ignatius in Rome, in an aside to the meeting organised by the Euro-Mediterranean Province for Superiors on the balance between the needs of the person and the authority over them.

This was a precious opportunity to deepen the understanding of the dynamics of “power in its most noble form", as Fr. Stefano Bittasi, executive secretary of the Centre for the Protection of Children of the Pontifical Gregorian University indicated during his sharing.

"The more vulnerable a person is, the more responsibility needs to be exercised," Bittasi explains. It is no longer a question of defending the Institution. The intervention made by Pope Francis in August 2018 in letter to the people of God is prophetic: "the attitude is clearly reversed. It starts with the discernment of people’s vulnerability and consequently the proper behaviour is adjusted accordingly”.

"Be increasingly aware of what is going on inside you in order to become more and more apostolic in caring for the other". This was the appeal made by Fr. Bittasi, as he highlighted the boundaries that should be set between those who carry out apostolic activity and those who receive it. "Professional competence is necessary" such as high intellectual competence and suitable formation for the particular mission and the ability to examine one's inner self.

"Recognizing one’s own vulnerabilities is essential," Fr. Massimo Nevola, Superior of St. Ignatius Community comments " in order to understand how one might seek compensation directly or indirectly through the service given. Avoid having people depend on you and encourage such freedom with gives rise to forming teams and developing friendships between brothers and within the apostolates, as people on an equal level". Vigilance also is important and taking care of the brothers, “taking on the burdens of others, promoting the positive talents of those close to us. Discovering their potential and empowering them is important: This creates trust and increases self-esteem, releases energy and enables one to be hospitable. It also allows others to be themselves and share their difficulties ".