FASSC PROFILE.pdf - CUEA

of human life. Moreover he should have a close and interpersonal relationship with his
followers since he initiates, regulates, informs supports, evaluates, and summarizes. (Cf. Charles
J. Keating, 1978)
Sharing is one thing and the intelligence as well as the ability of the person chosen as a
leader is another, for “if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for the
battle?” If your tongue does not produce intelligible speech, how can anyone know what you
are saying? (1cor.14, 8-9). This is because a leader is there to lead and not to be led, although
leadership concerns both the leader and those who are led.
That we may do what we say and say what we do, we perhaps need a kind of leadership that
will be a symbol of authority, that will centre on companionship and a kind that will be a source
of blessing to all. Moreover, we must be ready to completely reject the opposite as irrelevant,
harmful and dangerous to us and to our following generations. We must continually remove all
fantasies and images by raising the mind to Christ who taught with authority, became a
companion of many and blessed everyone. The following are some reflections on leadership
that could help our Faculty.
The first is that leadership is the symbol of authority. I know that some political trends of
our time have distorted the concept authority. Etymologically, the word “authority” comes from
authoritas which comes from the Latin verb “augere”. And “augere” means to increase. This
means that an authority is the person who increases the physical, moral, intellectual and
spiritual life of the individuals and of the community as a whole. As an authority, a leader feeds
the sheep; he does not feed on them. This demands knowledge of the people and of the
situations.
The second is that, a leader must be a companion (cum pane), the one who share bread
with the community. He, therefore rejoices when someone rejoices and suffers when someone
suffers. He shares his views and listens to the observations of the others. This calls for authentic
love.
The third is that, he is a source of blessings. To bless is to say good things, to wish
prosperity, to work for improvement, to guide and protect. How many times have we witnessed
different people selling their fellow men for irrelevant benefits?
Leadership is service; when given any other meaning; it cannot be true leadership but
something else. Leadership service is what the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences needs.
AHLAN WA SAALAN
WELCOME