The challenge of trust

One of the great ironies of being a parent is that we want our children to be better, happier, more comfortable, more appreciated than we are. That’s why we hope to instill in them values that will accomplish those things.

Generosity. Honor. Faith. Honesty. Trustworthiness. I’m certain you can add more.

The irony is that we do that, for the most part, while recognizing our own failings. I know the times in my life when I have been less than generous. Even my faith has flagged at times.

And then there’s trustworthiness. That’s sort of at the core of it all, isn’t it? Honesty, honor—even generosity—are built on trust. So too is faith and the rest of the traits, human and divine, we have come to value. I’ve tried to be a trustworthy person in my life, making my word really count, my promises sacrosanct. Yet, I know I’ve not always succeeded.

I’ve even tried to help my children understand trust while (here’s the irony) working in an industry—media—which is sometimes viewed with great suspicion. There was even one survey years ago which ranked media below used car dealers. Now that hurt.

Plus, after the recent spate of stories concerning the church, clergy and trust, you’d think the double whammy of being a deacon working as a newspaperman for the church would be the kiss of death.

But here comes a cheery survey, taken during July by the University of Illinois at Springfield. Not that it exonerates media (didn’t mention it), though clergy and religion come off as being more trustworthy than, say, business leaders and government officials at the state and federal levels.

Reflecting private industry’s penchant for playing fast and loose with financial figures, only 31.4 percent trusted them “always” or “most of the time.” A significant 15.6 percent said “hardly ever.” State government fared even worse—only 25.7 percent trusting “always” or “most of the time.” A whopping 21.5 percent said “hardly ever.

On the other hand, religious leaders in general racked up 55.6 percent “always” and “most of the time” and only 9.5 percent “hardly ever.” Better still were the numbers for personally known clergy: More than 75 percent gave trust “always” or “most of the time” and a mere 3.1 percent said “hardly ever.” Yes, there are problems, but we should take our good marks where we find them.

The survey was conducted by the university’s Abraham Lincoln Presidential Center for Governmental Studies July 15-29, polling 496 randomly selected people. And yes, that’s supposed to be statistically accurate. Now, about the media…

Maybe an even better demonstration of that trust in clergy comes from a reader’s response to my column in the last issue. Sparked by an idea from an advertiser, Parkside Chapels of Chicago, I asked for a few good words about clergy. After all, despite negative news and the reality of sin, even among clergy, there are many such stories.

Here’s one, from Adele LeGere of St. Mary of the Woods Parish on Chicago’s North Side:

“I could write about any of our remarkable priests: pastor Father Greg Sakowicz, pastor emeritus Father Leo Mahon and our retired resident, Father Tom Maher. This time, however, I’m writing about Father Tom.

“[He] is our resident saint … a holy man, a good man. He is 81 but leads a life that astounds us all. … He spends his days visiting the sick and lonely, attending wakes and funerals, attending community and parish, meetings on issues of significance. …

“Father Tom is truly our model. … His witness has enriched our community. May God bless him.”

Great. Any more stories out there?

Tom Sheridan
Editor and General Manager