WATCH: A different kind of leadership - Bishop Brendan Leahy

ONE of the greatest needs of our time is leadership. True, genuine leadership.

Around the world, and close to home, we often see the inspiring rule book of leadership - one built on decency, respect, equality, and service - being cast aside.

Too often today in its place we find intolerance, indifference, greed, and disrespect. We see it on our TVs, read it in media, every day across the world.

These are not the hallmarks of leadership but of self-interest.

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And when this is what dominates in leadership, people suffer. And can suffer horribly. It can rob people of hope, and so much else. It can rob them of their liberty and, sadly and horrifically, their lives.

There’s no denying the growth of autocracy in the world over the past few years. So, all the more reason that we look in different places for leadership. For people to inspire us.

Because leadership does not always wear a suit, hold office, or command – or demand - attention. It’s in more places that we sometimes realise.

It’s in the community. In the volunteerism that wraps so much around us in society today. Even on our doorstep.

It’s in those local groups and social initiatives, mostly driven by a handful of people, sometimes just one. People who look to make the place we live in better for the rest of us.

It’s in the sports clubs, on the playing pitches and off them. Women and men, putting time and talent on the line for others, putting smiles on faces

It’s in the NGOs that are bound by a love of peace, equality, inclusion. Standing up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. Those people who leadership today sadly too often abandons. 

This real humble leadership begins when a person allows God’s love to transform their life and then inspire others by witness and example.

An example of leadership that’s special to me is Fr Tim Collins’ story, which is our latest episode in our ‘Heroes of Hope’ video series to mark this Jubilee Year of Hope. You’ll be able to watch his compelling testimony on our Facebook page.

It is a powerful illustration.

He grew up in a faithful Catholic family, but in his youth and college years he turned away from God, chasing happiness in what he found out to be emptiness.

At that time there was, he admitted, no room for God in his life. And yet, God was always there, in that space, waiting for him.

One night, after seeing unhappiness staring back at him in the mirror, he knew he had to make a decision.

As he recalls in the video, “It was just one of those moments where I realized, you're not happy. And I remember, going home that night and I probably cried myself to sleep. I woke up the following morning just realizing that something had to change.”

He sought confession the following morning, went to Mass immediately afterwards and found the leadership that he was missing. Leadership that he had simply excluded from his life.

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Two things happened for him at that Mass. One was he found that Jesus is real, but the other was that He loves him without condition. It was a pivot for him but to a place of joy because, again as he said himself, “I just felt so loved for the first time in years”.

That moment of surrender filled him with tears of joy. And it filled him with hope.

From a sense of being lost to having absolute meaning in the world.

Later, on pilgrimage to San Giovanni Rotondo, the home of St. Padre Pio, Tim felt the calling to priesthood. He resisted at first, but the call only grew stronger. In time, he accepted that God was not just offering him healing but inviting him to lead - not by power or prestige, but by service, humility, and love.

So, as Tim sets out on his journey to live a life of leadership in serving others, he does so ultimately by following Jesus, the greatest servant leader of all.

Fr Tim’s journey reminds us also that hope is never lost. Even when the examples around us disappoint, God is raising up new witnesses - leaders who will guide not by dominance but by compassion. Not by greed but by generosity.  Not by indifference but by love.

In this Jubilee of Hope, let us remember there is true leadership. It comes from God, who never abandons us.

He is waiting for each of us to ask. He is ready to heal, restore, and lead us to new life.

He was there to cast light on Fr Tim’s life. He can do the same for each of us in our own lives. All we need to do is ask.