Silence and sound...

‘A religious leader should be careful in deciding when to remain silent and be sure to say something useful when deciding to speak… Negligent religious leaders are often afraid to speak freely and say what needs to be said – for fear of losing favor with the people… they are certainly not guarding their flock with the care expected of a shepherd but are acting like hirelings, because hiding behind a wall of silence is like taking flight at the approach of the wolf.’…They are likened to dumb dogs that cannot bark… The lips of a priest, adorning the office of herald, shall guard knowledge, and men shall seek instruction from his mouth… [Pastoral Rule of Gregory the Great, Bk 2, 4 in p.609-10 of The Divine Office, Vol. III.]