WiUmm G. Thompson, S.J.
Conflict, Anger and Growth in the Church At this point in history conflict rtnd rtnger are necessary for the growth of the Christirtn community.
A mid-west parish exploded the other day. The tension between the pastor anrl the coordinator for religious education re~hed the boiling point. The lid blew off. And a chain-reaction began. Suppressed tensions suddenly surfaced. The coordinator resigned. Parishioners expressed their frustrations to e~h other. And the walls came tumbling down. Many months and much hard work will be needed to put this parish back together again. It may never be back together. An irreversible process has begun. A new parish is being born. Hopefully, it will be better and more alive than what has been. Scenes like this are multiplying rapidly in the Church, and they take us by surprise. We are userl to conflict in politics, on the athletic field, or in business. But does it belong in a parish, in a religious congregation, in a diocesan Senate or in the Vatican Curia? Conflict means anger. Entering into conflict means sustaining the hostile feelings that provide the necessary fuel and energy. Are such feelings compatible with the virtues traditionally recognized as Christian-love and peace? Is there room for conflict and anger in the Church? 39