Saint Teresa of Ávila: Courageous Conflict with Charity
Saint Teresa of Ávila (1515–1582), Doctor of the Church, teaches Catholic leaders to engage in healthy conflict with courage, charity, and clarity.
As a Carmelite reformer, she faced opposition from clergy, nobles, and even her own order while establishing the Discalced Carmelites. Teresa confronted resistance with directness, as seen in her bold negotiations with bishops and her writings defending her reforms. Yet, her approach was rooted in love and humility, maintaining respect for opponents while staying true to her God-given vision. In The Interior Castle, she emphasizes discernment and prayer, guiding leaders to approach conflict with spiritual grounding.
Leadership Lessons for Catholic Leaders
Teresa’s example shows leaders to face disputes fearlessly, prioritize truth over comfort, and resolve conflicts through dialogue and mutual respect, fostering unity in pursuit of God’s will.
Reflection Questions & Personal Application
When have you experienced that you were happy that you didn’t’ hesitate to confront others? What good came from that encounter?
