Church Mouse Journal

More morsels from St Vincent's Redfern


Sunday, 1 May 2005

 

10 Steps to Quell Dissent and Maintain the Truth

Written by Brian Munro for Online Catholics
  1. At all times remember that truth is not a disembodied entity. It is a function of power exercised through authority.
  2. Fear is a prime tool in the use of power, and authority figures must be fearless in its use to keep inferiors in their place. Better to be feared than loved.
  3. But let not fear alone be the sole tool to crush dissent. 'Duchess' potential troublemakers by offering them minor promotions and some of the trappings of your power.
  4. Force subordinates to come to you as the authority figure. Do not meet them on their territory but on grounds of your choosing.
  5. Control the means of communication, employing skilled spin-doctors where needed, and distancing yourself from any that appear to waver from the line of truth you have established.
  6. Let secrecy be a watchword in all things. Total ignorance rarely breeds controversy or conflict, and the fewer who know the facts the easier it is to manage the issue.
  7. Demand obedience from those who have vowed obedience to you, and issue your instructions to them in writing to avoid any future misunderstanding.
  8. Always appeal to a higher authority, God or the Pope, as justification for your demands as if they come not from you but from incontrovertible Authority. Under no circumstances should the words 'Second Vatican Council' ever be spoken in public.
  9. Make a display of your power on all occasions, using ceremony, clothing, body language, and even the size of your 'phylacteries' to impress.
  10. Finally remember the importance of hastening slowly for best results. The frog will jump from the water if it is at first too hot, but will gladly allow itself to be boiled to death if the temperature is raised gradually.

Church Mouse

Home page

The Journal

On this page

10 Steps to Quell Dissent and Maintain the Truth

Archived pages

current

April 2004

May 2004

June 2004

July 2004

August 2004

September 2004

November 2004

December 2004

February 2005

March 2005

May 2005

June 2005

July 2005

August 2005

September 2005

October 2005

December 2005

January 2006

February 2006

March 2006

April 2006

May 2006

July 2006

August 2006

September 2006

October 2006

December 2006

Church Mouse links

Home page

The Journal

Fr Ted Kennedy

Reflections 1

Reflections 2

Reflections 3

Reflections 4

Reflections 5

Homilies

Who is Worthy?

Letters from Ted

Mum Shirl

Her story

Recent Parish Priests

Pell's appointments

The Neocats

Our pastors

Interesting reading

Morsels

News

Points of view

Letters

Links

Thoughts for the Month

Other

Sharing the Meal

visitors
since 12 April 2004

© Read it first, then copy it right