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Article: Law's example of victory by compromise. (Cardinal Bernard Law)(Column)
- Article from:
- National Catholic Reporter
- Article date:
- September 22, 1995
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1995 National Catholic Reporter. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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The resolution of conflicts -- whether in politics, diplomacy, business or litigation -- is impossible if one of the parties should adopt a stonewall approach where there is no give, no compromise and no willingness even to consider the possible legitimacy of the other party's grievance.
What applies to nations, organizations and litigants also applies to communities, like families and the church. Marriage counseling, for example, can't work if one of the spouses adamantly refuses to participate. Parents can't hope to reach an understanding with their children if every item in dispute is labeled "nonnegotiable."
The church is subject to the same stresses and ...