Timothy Radcliffe stresses the importance of listening

Newly named cardinal, Timothy

Radcliffe was interviewed on BBC Radio 4’s Sunday yesterday.

He believes he was chosen to be a cardinal because of his involvement in the current synod. He stressed the importance of listening, whether it be at the synod or in preparation for preaching.

"Preaching is never any good unless we listen. "Imagine the people to whom you are speaking and then of course listen to the word of God with all your imagination”, he said when asked what it means to be a good preacher.

“We can never be unafraid to listen, not so as to reply but so as to learn,” he said.

Radcliffe recalled how when he started out as a university chaplain he thought he was a great preacher but: “I had nothing to say until I opened my mind to students. You have to imagine the people with whom you speak.” He went on to stress how it important it is to listen to the Word of God and then to apply that to the world of today.

Fr Radcliffe said that Pope Francis has appointed cardinals from all over the world, many of them people who have not important jobs. He believes he is going to learn a lot. “Because they are from all over the world, discussion will be unpredictable,” he said.

When asked if he will have to wear the ‘elaborate gear' of a cardinal, he replied: I asked the Pope to be excused and I have been dispensed, thank God,” he smiled.

The programme Sunday was broadcast yesterday on BBC Radio 4 at 7am and is available on the BBC website.