Dominicans stress the importance of dialogue

In June 2009 two Dominicans from the order's HQ in Rome visited the Irish province of the Dominican Order.

They spent some time in Ireland, visiting all the houses of the order and met most of the members of the Irish province.

On the conclusion of their visit they published an 11-page report of their findings. The report was incisive, accurate too. It also set out guidlines as to how the province might venture into the future.

A sentence in the report dealing with common life and fraternity runs:

"It requires an imaginative leap to engage in dialogue and a certain amount of asceticism to accept that one's perception of reality is not universally valid. The channels of communication and debate must be kept open."

Wise words that are especially topical or relevant for any organisation that is in need of fresh ideas and honest appraisal.

The report is now four and a half years old.