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| St. Francis |
“The Bishop
had learnt through sundry credible witnesses that in the early days of my
episcopate I was much too sharp and unmeasured in my zeal, that I was often
most indiscreet in rebuking, and that my words were rough and harsh. One day he
took me aside, and with his usual wisdom and gentleness, impressed his rules
upon me so forcibly that I have never forgotten them. “Those who are in
authority,” he said, “are unquestionably bound to correct the faulty, but when
they have to tell unpalatable truths, these should be so softened with charity
and kindness as to take away all sting, otherwise the result will be very
imperfect, and the rebuke will fail of its intended effect. You may take it as
a sure sign that your charity is not genuine, if your words, however true, are
not charitable.”
Taken from the book:
The Spirit of St. Francis De Sales
By: Jean-Pierre Camus
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