Mumbai (AsiaNews ) - "If we are not credible , no one will accept our teachings. Our credibility comes from being witnesses and bearers of the Gospel values. When a priest communicates this dimension of self, the encounter occurs" Fr. Peter Raposo tells AsiaNews. The Indian missionary of Pilar studies at Ohio University in Athens, the largest Catholic university in the United States. He is pursuing a doctorate on the importance of communication in the Church.
Recently, Fr. Raposo published an essay in the Journal of Communication and Religion, entitled "Priest as Teacher: Understanding Source Credibility". His study examines the role of priests and their credibility in the eyes of the parishioners. In the study it was found that the more a priest appears credible, the more his parishoners will listen and follow.
The Pilar missionary told AsiaNews : " The priests have many roles: they are preachers , pastors, organizers, counselors, spiritual leaders and catechists. As Pope Francis said from the very beginning of his pontificate, you have to 'preach with life: witness. The incoherence of the faithful and pastors between what they say and what they do, between the word and the way of life undermines the credibility of the Church . '"
In this sense, the study conducted by Fr. Raposo seems to respond to this invitation by the Pope, who today marks the first anniversary of his election. "Pope Francis reiterated what Jesus asked his apostles - says the scholar - the people we interviewed are all practicing Catholics, who want to see church leaders communicate the true values of the Gospel".
