Study Guide: The Cloud of Unknowing, Chapter 30

In this one-paragraph chapter Anonymous' continues teaching us about judging others and asks, "Who can criticize and counsel others about their faults?" Lest we casually assume that we have such a right to engage in judgments about others, Anonymous reminds us that, from his point of view, only two kids of people have the right "shoulder this responsibility in a loving, mature way." First, the right to judge others belongs those who have been given public authority by ordination to do so within the Church. That includes rightly ordained pastors and priests. It may also be the case, however, that the Holy Spirit may "privately" give someone such burdensome authority. In many Christian communities there are such people, usually

St. Silouan the Athonite,
A Russian staretz

senior in age and wisdom. The Russian Church, for example, deeply appreciates the witness and ministry of the "staretz," an elder (often a monastic) who functions as spiritual guide gifted with discernment.

Importantly, Anonymous is concerned that no one assume any self-declared position of judgment that might provide opportunities for unwarranted judgments of others.  His recommendation is that no one dare to speak unless he or she has somehow felt "the nudge of the Holy Spirit during contemplative prayer." Things may go terribly wrong if that warning is not heeded. It's best therefore to "judge yourself you want--that's between you and God or your spiritual director--but leave others alone."

For discussion:  Recently a well-known churchman said that "if someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?"  Might Anonymous agree with him or might Anonymous wish to go even further in being non-judgmental?