Beyond the Clouds by Fr. Jacob Nampudakam, S.A.C. | Page 54

present office as the Society’s Rector General. I have held this position for 8
years thus far, together with 6 years as a General Consultor and 3 years as
General Secretary. I would not say that it is such a tremendous responsibility,
but it is a position in which I am reminded of those who accept the role of
Captain at various levels.
Just think of Pope Francis, navigating the entire Church at over 80 years old!
Then all of the Bishops, Major Religious Superiors, political leaders and
government officials who have tremendous responsibilities in their hands.
They are all captains chartering the flight in their own ways, certainly with
many untold stories to narrate.
Being a captain is demanding, in which it is not a position of esteem, it is a
position of service. If I may, let me reiterate the words of Pope Francis: “Allow
me to say it loud and clear: the more powerful you are, the more your actions
will have an impact on people, and the more responsible you are to act
humbly.”
So as not to venture into unfamiliar terrains, I will now limit myself to the
religious sphere of leadership. Once given this honor- just like a plane- it is a
matter of flying steadily into the beautiful horizon like an eagle. However, it is
also good to keep our seatbelt on for the occasional air pockets and bumps, so
as not to be injured more than we should.
What are the qualities that make a real leader? From my own experiences,
here's what I have found.
As a Christian, I place faith in God as the first and most important trait. Why?
Leaving behind well-defined theological definitions, faith in God encourages
you to live your life without insecurities and fear of the unknown. As St.
Vincent Pallotti would say, being a captain “demands great confidence in God,
and distrust of ourselves.”
There are a lot of things and situations beyond our control. As mortal beings,
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