There's this wonderful statement right at the start of Brian McLaren's Emergent Reflections for Spring 2006:

"(Even) non-constructive criticism has its benefits: it gives its targets the opportunity to be gracious, forgiving, non-retaliatory, courageous, and persistent. It also can encourage humility and prayer."

Reminds one of the mad crazy irrational foolish nonsensical (u get the picture?) call of the apostle James for us to consider it pure joy whenever trials come, so our faith grows in perseverance (Jas 1). This could mean so many things but when we have the habit of meeting bitterness with kindness, rage with patience, something radical happens.

Maybe it's just me, but I haven't seen much of this kind of character within my community and even in myself, that I'm always somewhat speechless when I witness it, especially in the heat of the more severe criticisms. 

This is not the cold silence of the guilty party who can no longer (or is too proud to) defend himself. This is not the academic cordiality of scholars. And neither is this the firm non-engagement of those in authority who feel they don't have time to waste with critics.

It's the heart of a person who knows that life is chiefly about reaching out, including people, absorbing their hatred and pain, restoring relationships over against ideas or positions.

It flows from those who can, like their Master did as their nails kept coming down: "Forgive them, Father. For they know not what they are doing."