“Ambassador of Peace” calls for ‘ability to listen’

The secret of success of any peace effort is the ability to listen, says Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil, who on December 9 received the latest “Ambassador for Peace” award from the International Human Rights Council. “Many think that volubility and vocabulary, a cute approach and a persuasive tongue will convince the parties in conflict. But far more important is a contextual understanding of their more serious anxieties in their complexity and depth. But ultimately, a ‘sympathetic listening’ to their inner agonies alone will open the doors for dialogue,” said the 83-old Salesian prelate who received the award at a glittering ceremony held at India Islamic Centre Auditorium in New Delhi.