St Anthony Brief

IRISH FRANCISCAN MISSION MAGAZINE No .3 ApR/MAy 2016 €2.00

✣✣ Healing the Wound of Shame ✣✣ The Art of Moral Courage ✣✣ A Rebel’s Story Spirit and Life pope francis’ heresy? Everything in the Lord speaks of mercy. Nothing in him is devoid of compassion. Do not be afraid of his tenderness! His closeness and tenderness! This may sound like heresy, but it is the greatest truth! It is more difficult to let God love us, than to love him! The best way to love the Lord in return is to open our hearts and let him love us. This is really very difficult: letting ourselves be loved by him. And that is perhaps what we need to ask: 'Lord, I want to love you, but teach me the difficult art, the difficult habit of letting myself be loved by you, to feel you close and feel your tenderness!’ Let us allow our hearts to be touched. Let us allow ourselves to be warmed by the tenderness of God. We need his caress.

– Pope Francis

St Anthony Brief SStt AAnntthhoonnyy BBrriieeff

2 Spirit and Life. 4 From the Editor. Energy for the Future. Friar Michael Perry OFM, Minister General 5 of the Order, tells John Feister of his own vocational path and where the followers of St Francis are heading.

A People’s Gratitude. Gerrry O’Reilly OFM writes from South 8 Africa about a happy visit to a former parish. 9 Harare Altar Servers. The Art of Moral Courage. Caught up in the civil war in El Salvador, 10 Gerald Evans OFM encountered the best of human qualities during a time of terrible violence and sorrow. 12 Church Brief. Caring for the Least. Joseph Tan OFM writes of the friars’ 13 ministry among the weakest in society in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam.

A Rebel’s Story. As Ireland marks the centenary of the 1916 14 Easter Rising Dermot Forde, a brother of Brendan Forde OFM, missionary in Latin America, writes of the involvement of their father Seán in the fight for Irish freedom.

Friars on Mission. Liam Kelly OFM writes of a recent parish mission, 16 one of several conducted by the friars in Ireland in recent years. 18 St Bonaventure College. The Franciscans in Clane. Pat Conlan OFM looks at the history 20 of the presence of the friars in the Co. Kildare town. 21 New Life in Zimbabwe. 22 News from Around the Franciscan World. ‘If We Hate ISIS, Then They Have Won.’ Friar Pierbattista Volume 76 No.3 23 Pizzaballa OFM, Custos of the Franciscans in the Middle East, Missionary Magazine of the Irish reflects on the tragic situation there. Franciscans. Published bi-monthly by the Franciscan Missionary Union, 8 Merchants Quay, Dublin 8. Healing the Wound of Shame. In this Jubilee Year of Mercy Editor: Br Stephen O’Kane OFM. 24 Francis Cotter OFM looks at how divine compassion longs to heal Production: Fr Francis Cotter OFM. the festering soul-gash left by toxic shame. Subscription & Distribution Secretary: Helen Doran. Tel: (01) 6777651. Conflict is Normal! Gearóid Ó Conaire OFM reflects on how to [email protected] 27 deal in a healthy way with conflict and tensions in relationships Design, Layout & Printing: and community. Corcoran Print & Design. Tel: (053) 9234760. Zimbabwe Day 2016. Subscription including Postage: Ireland – €15.00 per annum 29 Britain – Stg£15.00 per annum Mission Digest. Friars in Papua New Guinea. Overseas – €18.00 per annum 30

Apr/May 2016 3 From the Editor…

Br Stephen O’Kane OFM e Horror of the Cross – the price of Love By the time you get this issue of St Anthony Brief we will nails in his wrists to pull his body upwards, simultane - have moved into Holy Week, that greatest of all weeks in ously pushing up from the nail in his feet. Gradually his the Church’s calendar. I recently prepared some classes limbs cramped and weakened. As he was less able to lift for our postulants in Killarney where we looked at the himself, he began slowly to suffocate. In a strong man artwork of the early Christian Church. Very significantly, this could go on for hours, maybe even days, before he our ancestors in faith did not have any images of the cru - died. cifixion for the first 400 years or so. After that when they During the first three hundred years of the Church’s life did, for a long time Jesus appeared open-eyed and tri - crucifixion was a common and very public event in umphant on the cross without a trace of pain, blood or Roman society. It is suggested then that Christians did suffering. not need a painted or carved image to remind them of This absence of crucifixion images is a puzzle for schol - what crucifixion meant in all its gory details; they saw it ars, since the death of Jesus on the cross for love of us around them. It was only as they forgot the horror and and for our salvation was a well-accepted and often details after Constantine, around 313, had outlawed cru - preached belief from the beginning. A number of expla - cifixion as a method of execution that the faithful even - nations proposed to make sense of this lack. One that tually needed images to remind them of what Jesus had impressed me was the following. suffered. There was a no more grotesque way to be executed than May we never forget the great price that has been paid by crucifixion. Crucifixion was described as ‘the most for our salvation, and may a sincere attitude of grati - wretched of deaths’. It was designed to cause the most tude grow in our hearts each day. Happy Easter! pain in the most parts of the body over the longest period of time. It was humiliating too since it was usu - – Stephen O’Kane OFM ally reserved for non-Roman citizens, lower-class crimi - ([email protected]) nals, or those whose crimes were particularly heinous. “I want to thank most sincerely those of you, The stripped man was exposed naked to a scoffing dear readers, who responded so generously to our crowd that delighted in such spectacles. They cast stones at him, spat at him and jeered at him. The victim found appeal in the last editorial to help us bridge the gap himself suspended above the ground, his body slumped between our income and expenditure. To date we have forward, his knees bent and his feet positioned as if he received €1,788 and £1,250. For that support we were standing on tiptoe. are truly grateful, and half hope there might even be a bit more on the way! Thank you and This position made it almost impossible for him to draw God reward your kind generosity.” a breath. He could not inhale or exhale without using the

St Anthony Brief 4 Friar Michael: ‘The key question is what are we to do in the world today?’

Energy for the Future hen he talks about his guitar- Friar Michael perry OFM, How each of us interacts with our playing days, Mike Perry faith and each other is a curiosity Friar Wdoesn’t neglect to mention that Minister General of the Michael had from the beginning. He his guitar was a 12-string Epiphone – recalls an episode from Chicago to illus - nothing too fancy, but a step up from the Order, tells John Feister trate the point, ‘I had a chance when I primitive instrument he learned on. In of his own vocational path was at Catholic Theological Union to do those early days in Indianapolis, Indiana, one week on the streets here in he dreamed of becoming a lawyer, but a and where the followers of Chicago,’ he recalls. ‘I went to the trip to the missions changed all that. St Francis are heading. Wilson Men’s Club, up on the north side. Mike, the law student, met the It cost $3 per night for the room. I had Franciscans and fell in love with the across faith traditions building houses for $5 in my pocket. The first evening I met poor, then with the Franciscans them - people in poverty, Michael was hooked a young man who was there, roughly a selves. They must have loved him, too. on a life of service. He joined the little bit younger than me. He asked me At age 61, Fr Michael Perry, OFM, is Franciscans, Sacred Heart Province, in what I was doing, if I wanted to get a General Minister of the Order of Friars St Louis in 1977, when he was 22. He beer. I didn’t have any money, so I said, Minor, the 13,400 member-strong branch was ordained a priest in 1984. After min - “No, I only have $3 that I paid and $2 in of the Franciscan family tree. istry in USA, his commitment to the mis - my pocket.” He said, “Don’t worry about First, we talked about his own per - sion and the poor brought Michael to the it.” He offered me two beers. The next sonal changes that brought him to lead - People’s Republic of Congo. There he day he took me to work and, throughout ership of the Franciscans. After his pro - spent ten years serving as teacher, the whole week, he took me under his found mission experience in Appalachia, prison chaplain, research director, and wing and I came back to the Franciscan where he joined a group of people even farmer. house one week later with $150 in my

Apr/May 2016 5 New York friars: A different message to some of the current rhetoric in Europe and the USA.

pocket!’ Friar Michael relishes a good the world over, interacting with friars. ‘I the brothers working with the farmers on story. think in threes,’ he starts, ‘I’m becoming how to develop sustainable methods for He tells another story, one, he says, more and more convinced of, if we’re farming and to integrate that into that ‘transformed my life’. This one open to God, if we’re open to surprise, Catholic spirituality.’ He repeats, ‘Not just occurred in the Congo during his ten God will surprise us! And life will bring farming, not just sustainability, but also a years living among people who had very many, many surprises. They’ll be difficult; prayerful approach.’ little – less than most of us could imag - but they’ll be wonderful.’ Then he starts ‘They don’t have an office of Justice, ine. The women, especially, had a gru - offering examples of surprises he has Peace and Integrity of Creation; they elling routine – up before dawn, kids off seen of the Franciscan spirit afoot in the have fraternities of justice and peace and to school, work in the fields with infants world. integrity of creation. They have fraterni - strapped to their backs, selling what they He was recently in Taiwan, for exam - ties that are integrated who have a could find in the market, coming home to ple. He tells of seeing Franciscan mis - sense of Franciscan prayer, contempla - cook, and more. sionaries and laity firsthand, friars ‘who tion,’ he says. They have a sense of ‘I remember asking three women have been able, in a sense, to bring in Franciscan mission and evangelisation, once, “How is it possible for you to do elements of the local spiritual tradition he observes, ‘and have integrated the this? Do you think that God abandoned that are centuries old.’ He was in Peru elements of the care for creation, stew - you?” And they started laughing. They before that, where he saw friars truly ardship of the earth, and also the protec - said, “God never abandons us. God is empowering the laity, ‘engaging them in tion of indigenous peoples and the always here. We just need to recognise their responsibility as disciples and mis - respect for human rights. They’ve inte - his grace, and God’s going to take care sionaries in the local Church.’ These grated all of this into a common life.’ of us.”’ He learned faith from those were working along the Amazon River, women, ‘It taught me about the total making tremendous sacrifices ‘because Gospel Roots dependence on God and also the total they go for periods of time without elec - As he traverses the world of Franciscan interdependence, the sharing that takes tricity, without access by telephone or ministry – OFM friars are present in 112, place when we care for each other.’ internet.’ Perhaps these missionaries soon to be 113, countries – he sees his might travel for a week to get from one job not simply as encourager, or some God Surprises Christian community to another. ‘These contact with the broader community, It also taught him to listen. As Minister are tremendous signs of hope,’ he says. though surely he is both. ‘I think one of General of the Order of Friars Minor, Hope bubbles from this friar as he the most challenging things is helping Friar Michael’s job is to listen to, and recounts even more stories, far from the the brothers, the Franciscans, to remem - when necessary provide guidance for, Roman curial offices, ‘I was in Indonesia ber who they are and to whom they his Franciscan brothers. So he travels also this year and had a chance to see belong,’ he offers, admitting that it may

St Anthony Brief 6 sound a bit strange to say it that way. His vision is coming from the founder: God.’ Then it’s time to take what the fri - ‘But one of the things that has emerged ‘It’s clear from the beginning, where ars can from that experience and move throughout the history of the Franciscan Francis prays before the crucifix, “Lord, on to the next, he says, ‘I think we have movement is the need for us to never what is it that you will for me to do? to re-energise.’ He summons the call of forget our Gospel roots, our Gospel iden - What is it that I’m supposed to do with Pope Francis in The Joy of the Gospel tity to which we are called, our Gospel my life?” And eventually that prayer and elsewhere, ‘We need to open our mission.’ expanded to the brothers: “What are we horizons; we’ve got to move where God’s He, and the nine other council mem - supposed to do in the world today?’” people are moving.’ bers with whom he lives in Rome, That’s the big question now, says Friar To think, all of this starting with a sim - ‘remind each other, then, that we go out Michael, ‘How do we get ourselves ener - ple guitar and a trip to the missions. The and remind the brothers of the central gised, pick up, and get moving again?’ music still helps keep him going, day aspects of our identity, so that we can be Is he saying that the friars have after day, country after country. ‘St energised and have passion for our life somehow become ineffective? Not really. Francis the songwriter and singer res - and for the world.’ He takes his cue from people he has served along the way. ‘When you have nothing’, he says, ‘when you have no guarantee of tomor - row or the next day for your food, for your lodging, for your health, you are forced to recognise the role and the dependence you have on God. Poor people know they cannot do this by them - selves; they recognise God’s grace.’ For wealthier people to serve our brothers and sis - ters who are poor, to step even briefly into their shoes, he says, is transformative. ‘This is something which I hope for’, he says, and some - thing he thinks Franciscans can facilitate. ‘We have a spe - cial privilege we could offer to people by inviting them to come into these places of grace. When we do that, people will Brother Elcardo Muherreza in Zimbabwe: God is with the little ones. never be the same.’ It seems more that of straying from the onates with me very deeply,’ he says. ‘I ‘We need to identify ourselves once core mission. That’s been a challenge for am still learning just how much music again with the very people God has 800 years, he observes. ‘One of the formed him, the sounds that began deep called us to serve: God’s poor, God’s problems we’ve always had, we kind of within him, and which he picked up from people who are forgotten, God’s margin - get settled. We start as a movement, we everything around him, especially from alised, those who are abused, and those get energised,’ he starts, searching for creation.’ Here’s Friar Michael discover - who are facing all types of injustices. the right way to say something easily ing what’s in front of our very eyes, all God is with the little ones. That’s where misunderstood. ‘We’re doing very good over again. ‘If the world would only sing we need to be.’ work in parishes and institutions,’ he con - a bit more and fight a bit less, things Friar Michael wants his brother tinues, ‘but we get bogged down at some might be very different.’ Franciscans to imagine their futures dif - point.’ ferently. He and his brothers lose what he Adapted from “The Future of the calls the ‘flexible grace’ of God. ‘God is Franciscans” by John Feister, from New Horizons always inviting us to deepen our experi - St. Anthony Messenger magazine; Fr Michael Perry, OFM, Minister General ence with the people where we are, to used by permission of Franciscan Media. of the friars until at least 2021, has a really sink roots there. The roots remain www.FranciscanMedia.org vision of the future of the Franciscans. because they’re built with the people of ©2016. All rights reserved.

Apr/May 2016 7 Athlone Friary 2014: Tony Hardiman OFM (centre) celebrates his Golden Jubilee with Fergus McEveney and Liam McCarthy.

Gerrry O’Reilly OFM writes from South Africa about a happy visit to a former parish. A people’s Gratitude

he occasion for revisiting the Ladysmith municipality for the adjoin - mouth of seminarian Graham Rose. Steadville, a township in ing land and had it fenced off. Fr Tony Now as a bishop he had a friend in TLadysmith, Kwa Zulu Natal, South quickly got to work. He applied for plan - Johannesburg who pulled some strings Africa was the celebration of the Golden ning permission. The idea of building a with a steel manufacturer who donated Jubilee of Ordination to the Priesthood of church on the new property was the steel structure. What a start and a fellow Franciscan, Fr Tony Hardiman. approved providing that adequate park - blessing! Fr Tony hails from the banks of the River ing space be provided. That was another With the co-operation of some local Shannon in Athlone. journey. But Fr Tony successfully bid for Catholics from Ladysmith parish, a good Fr Tony was ordained at the an abandoned tennis /basketball court Italian Catholic, Salvatore de Simone, Franciscan Church, Ara Coeli, next to and was successful. and a Portuguese Catholic, Henry de the Victoria Emmanuel monument in the Next step was collecting funds to Franca, the work of construction began. heart of Rome. It was on 4 March 1964. build. With a patron like St Anthony of And was it blessed! Today the new There were three Irish Franciscans Padua, Fr Tony successfully had another church at Steadville is a spacious, ordained with Fr Tony – two of them are triumph. The stainless steel structure and bright church with a big sanctuary. Guardians of communities in Ireland, Fr the roof were donated by a friend of the Approximate ly eight hundred people can Liam McCarthy in Multyfarnham and Fr newly ordained Bishop of Dundee comfortably be seated in it. It is probably Fergus McEveney in Rossnowlagh in Co. Diocese, Graham Rose. Bishop Graham the biggest church in the diocese. The Donegal. had attended the national seminary, St beautiful new church is the pride and joy John Vianney, Pretoria. The seminary of all who were associated with its build - New Church was staffed by the Irish Franciscans at ing. It was officially opened and conse - The celebrations were held in Fr Tony’s the time. Among them was a relation of crated by Bishop Graham Rose on 14 parish over a year after the actual jubilee Fr Tony – Fr Norbert Carrol. Other friars June 2014. of his ordination. There was a good rea - teaching there were Fr Fergus Barrett, son. Fr Tony has been working in Fr Damian McGrail, Fr Stephen White, Jubilee Steadville for about seven years. When Fr Isidore Maher, Fr Hyacinth Ennis, Fr That brings me back to the point I was he arrived at Steadville he experienced a John Hegarty, Fr Myles Russell, Fr making earlier. Fr Tony’s Golden Jubilee packed church. It was too small for a Frank Doyle, and South African born was postponed a year and some months rapidly growing congregation. One of his Franciscan Fr Bonaventure Hinwood. to help the community to organise a fit - predecessors had successfully applied to Their dedication left a sweet taste in the ting celebration for Fr Tony.

St Anthony Brief 8 Fr Tony was not privy to the commu - nity’s plans. So when a few months ago he was told that arrangements had been Altar Servers Galore! made with the bishop for the celebration A one-day workshop for altar servers was announced at St Francis Parish in of his Golden Jubilee the news came as a Harare, Zimbabwe. Some 143 turned up! big surprise to him. All he was asked to do was to pick out the readings and prayers for the Mass. Everything else was organised by the community without Fr Tony being involved! It was a parish effort, a gesture of deep gratitude. On the plaque commemorating the opening of the church it is stated that the church was built under the leadership of Fr Tony Hardiman. Now the community had its day. They were the leaders for the Jubilee Mass and lunch after Mass at which hun - dreds of people sat down to a fitting ban - quet in honour of their parish priest. During his homily at the Mass the bishop mentioned that Fr Tony reminded him of an old Franciscan priest whom he visited in hospital within the week of his ordination as Bishop of Dundee Diocese. He was a joyful, humble follower of St Francis. Fr Clement Fisher was born in London, and a pilot in the British Airforce [RAF] during the Second World War.

Growth In the ten years since I had left the parish I could see the growth of the parishioners in running the church. They have bloomed like a beautiful rose. On Saturdays and Sundays the young people are well trained and educated in the faith. I experience this when helping out with the preparation for First Confessions and Holy Communions. It was also apparent in the active, middle-aged parishioners in the parish, and in the care they are taking of their new church and the surrounding grounds, decorated with shrubs and flow - ers. Their enemy is the many goats attracted by the green shrubbery! The community has good foundations. Their faith and charity is strong. But there are challenges ahead. The missionaries from England and Ireland, those who are still alive, are grey-headed, older men. The way has been prepared for local leadership. St Paul once wrote, ‘I bap - tised, Apollo watered but it is God who gives the increase.’ That’s the prayer of missionaries, ‘Lord, call young people to dedicate them - selves to the altar, to religious life, to be good pastors and shepherds who will smell of the sheep of the fold.’ Do I hear you saying ‘Amen’? Alleluia. n

Apr/May 2016 9 e Art of Moral Courage ometime late in 1989, after the mil - Padre. By this stage I was becoming quite itary offensive that took place in Caught up in the nervous and even more so when once SSour area, I was returning to our civil war in El Salvador, again Roxanna insisted that we had come house after attending a meeting in one of as a group and were requesting an audi - the barrios when a group of women in a Gerald Evans OFM ence as a group which was our entitle - very agitated state came racing down one ment. of the passageways to meet me. ‘Fray, encountered the best of At the end of the day we were the military came into the barrio and have received by the commanding officer who taken our sons away. Please help us,’ human qualities during consented to our request and released the they shouted. I walked quickly with them a time of terrible young fellows to their mothers. As I left the to our house and asked them to explain barracks relieved with the women and as clearly as possible what happened. violence and sorrow. their sons I felt a sense of gratitude to Apparently at about 8.00pm a group have been schooled once again in the art of heavily armed soldiers with dogs swept priest and had come to accompany them. of moral courage. I had witnessed its into our barrios in jeeps, bursting their He asked us to wait a moment and went respectfully peaceful but firm power of way indiscriminately into a number of into the barracks. persuasion in the courage of those women houses dragging whatever youth they On returning he informed us that the whose love for their children transcended could find off with them leaving their fami - colonel wanted to speak with the Padre. their fear and natural survival instinct. lies in a state of consternation. We Roxanna very rapidly and very respect - decided for safety sake to wait and set off fully enquired of the soldier why the Francisco the following morning to search for their colonel wanted to speak with me as they Early in the new year of 1990, I was pass - whereabouts, beginning with the barracks were the boys’ mothers and it was with ing by Roxanna’s house and as was my in the centre of San Salvador, el Estado them he needed to speak and explain custom I popped in for a chat. Usually her Mayor. At 5.30am we set off with a group what was going on. I interjected saying I son Francisco was there too studying. I of women including Roxanna, a woman of would go and speak with the colonel but say son, actually he was adopted as a great courage and integrity. On reaching Roxanna insisted. ‘No, Padre, you have child having been abandoned by his own the barracks we asked the soldier on come to accompany us, we can speak for parents. He was a very noble and simple guard duty to allow us to enter explaining ourselves and defend what is ours.’ The fellow who always stopped what he was to him the reason why. He asked who I soldier went in again and returned saying doing to attend to me and, most impor - was and the women replied that I was the the women could enter but without the tantly, show interest and engage. It always

St Anthony Brief 10 strikes me how in Latin America these gracious details of good manners are still very spontaneously adhered to even by the younger generation. In Europe and the USA sadly they seem to be dying tradi - tions. But this day Francisco was not there. Roxanna very uncharacteristically was sitting in the hammock looking out into the garden with a faraway look in her eyes. I asked her if she was ok and she simply replied, Francisco has gone. Gone where, I asked. She turned and looked at me, ‘Gone to the mountains, Fray, to join the guerrillas. He finally decided he could no longer continue to be a passive wit - ness to such unending injustice in his midst so he left this morning.’ Although I could see she was very disturbed by his departure I asked her how she felt to give her the opportunity to share her feelings. Smiles: Children in El Salvador today. ‘I feel very confused and responsible, Fray,’ she replied. ‘From his childhood I ‘Lord, thou art hard on mothers: unusual this environment was, at least to have instilled in him a sense of responsi - We suffer in their coming and their going; me, I found it to be very relaxed and the bility for social justice, you know that, And tho' I grudge them not, I weary, weary guerrillas very easy and casual. Fray. I had hoped he would channel his Of the long sorrow – And yet I have my joy: sense of justice into working like me with My sons were faithful, and they fought.’ Refugees the organisations fighting for justice but But Roxanna was by no means a vic - I had a very fitful sleep that night, partly I not violently. I have always believed that tim to her sorrow and circumstances, on suppose due to the emotion of having lived however meritorious the cause may be a the contrary she allowed it to move her through such an unusual experience the violent revolution to achieve peace and with purpose and passion to seek justice previous evening but also because there stability has never made sense to me. for those around her at every turn. seemed to be continual, mysterious comings Violence engenders violence’. She and goings all night long. When I was finally added, ‘I believe in the way of St The Guerillas fully awake just before dawn I slipped into Francis’. We chatted for a while and then My own first encounter with the guerillas the chapel and was confronted with what as ever she thanked me for listening to had taken place some years previously. I was like an apparition. The church was full her and asked me to leave her to her happened to be visiting Brendan Forde of refugee families who had walked miles thoughts and prayers. Like many of her and John Dalton, two Irish friars living in through the mountains to escape the terrible generation, Roxanna had a very deep, the mountainous borderlands between bombings in the surrounding rural areas. traditional and simple faith. She had an Honduras and El Salvador. I admired them They were a pathetic sight to behold – thin, altar in her house to the Sacred Heart so much for their utterly austere and drawn, exhausted and hungry but graciously with candles and incense burning before courageous lives totally dedicated to being smiling. I felt a deep sense of compassion it. present with and accompanying the poor - for them and a sense of indignation to wit - Two weeks later she arrived on my est of the poor country folk. I travelled ness human beings submitted to such indig - doorstep her face drawn with grief but there with a very good German friend I had nity, abuse and injustice. very composed and dignified. ‘Fray, they met in Costa Rica while studying on a bib - I could see the situation was very tense. have brought Francisco home dead. Can lical course. Were the army to get wind of the presence you please come and say some prayers The night we arrived was to say the of these people there would be a slaughter. over him. Oh and I forgot to tell you, I least very eventful. It was my first meeting Brendan asked us to leave immediately and have told the neighbours he died cross - with the guerrillas in El Salvador. get the news of these people’s arrival to ing the border into the United States. If I Apparently they frequently passed through Maria Hernandez of the legal office of the tell them the truth the whole family will be the zone where Brendan and John worked archbishop. Without standing on our going put at risk. You understand that?’ ‘Of pastorally. I was intrigued to meet young we departed on the long journey to the capi - course, Roxanna’, I replied and went with men and women casually carrying guns tal, San Salvador. her to the house where Francisco was who turned out to be from various coun - After being stopped at military road - laid out. Her daughter was there to greet tries and from different social classes. I blocks we eventually reached the capital me with the same stoic, dignified and met young people from the very wealthy and went immediately to the legal office of gracious presence as her mother. echelons of El Salvador’s elite families. the archdiocesan curia where we met Maria As I looked at Roxanna I thought of Their conviction and vision for an alterna - Julia Hernandez and recounted our experi - the words of Scripture about one who tive, more just and equitable society ence of the refugees. She immediately got was a ‘man of sorrows and acquainted inspired me, as did their willingness to to work to secure their safety through the with grief’, and also of Patrick Pearse’s place their lives at risk in the service of international organisations at her disposal poem, written before he and his brother their ideals however much I disagreed with and to organise food supplies to be sent to were executed in 1916: their doing so with gun in hand. However Carizal without delay . n

Apr/May 2016 11 Church Brief

Drought in Zimbabwe Formerly known as the breadbasket The report reflected on the human and Zimbabwe has been affected by a regional of Africa, Zimbabwe has suffered peren - ethical aspects and stated that the situa - drought, worsened by the El Nino weather nial shortages in recent years and has tion is ‘stagnant and lifeless, with no light phenomenon that has also affected other relied on importing grain from neighbour - of hope, not for the Israelis who need southern African countries including South ing countries to meet its needs. President security and tranquillity, neither for the Africa, Malawi and Zambia. South Africa has Mugabe has blamed the low farm yields Palestinians who wait for the end of the recorded its worst drought since records on erratic rains due to climate change, as occupation, and an independent state.’ began more than a century ago, and will well as sanctions imposed by western The document also criticises the progres - have to import half its average maize crop. countries over his government’s tainted sive process of total ‘Judaisation’ of the Last year was the hottest worldwide in mod - human rights record. Critics say the food Holy City, and the slow expulsion from ern times according to the US National shortages have been partially caused by Jerusalem of its Palestinian inhabitants. Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. the president’s land reforms enacted The document contains an appeal to the Israeli leaders to ‘widen’ one's vision A parched land: and heart, acknowledging that ‘there is enough space in the land for us all’. To the Zimbabweans struggle. Palestinian leaders they say, ‘Let Israel and the world hear one unique voice, a voice of peace and justice for two peo - ples.’

Mercy is a Political Act ‘Mercy is a political act par excellence’ say the Catholic Bishops of the Republic of Congo to the politicians of their country in the message published at the end of their plenary assembly. In the document, enti - tled ‘Merciful as the Father’, the bishops give some guidance to the faithful on the Year of Mercy. Regarding the political life they highlight that politics ‘is not the place to enter in conflict nor the solution of con - flicts of interest’, but it is the ‘place of char - ity, political charity’. This is why they invite The southern parts of Zimbabwe are since 2000 when the government over - politicians ‘not to just seek your personal the worst affected with tens of thousands saw the often violent eviction of white interest, on the contrary, try to give priority of cattle dying, boreholes drying up and farmers. Many farms are now under- to the common good’. dam levels falling. There is a threat to utilised and the government has vowed to In view of the upcoming presidential human and animal life as safe water, irriga - hold an audit to ensure agricultural land is elections, the message stresses that the tion water and drinking water sources for put into production. election period is ‘often a time of anguish animals are increasingly drying up. Most of in our country. Politicians are required to the international funding being sought by Injustice in Palestine hold transparent and fair elections. It is the government is for the import of food - The present situation for the Palestinians important that no law is violated, and no stuffs but part of the $1.5bn needed would in the Holy Land is ‘inhuman’ because of event may disturb the elections and peace be used to repair irrigation equipment ‘settlers who occupy, day after day, in our country.’ across the country to increase food pro - Palestinian land’, because of the poverty The bishops hope that the future duction. ‘The April [2015] harvest in suffered by a million and a half inhabi - President ‘works for justice, the welfare of Zimbabwe was 50% lower than the previ - tants in the besieged Gaza Strip, the sys - every citizen, punishing corruption, in par - ous year,’ said David Orr, spokesman for tematic demolition of homes and the ticular by renewing the anti-corruption the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP). humiliation suffered at the hands of Israeli commission’. It is also hoped that the new ‘With the drought continuing, it looks like soldiers at checkpoints. This is the ‘Head of State pays particular attention to the lean season is going to continue gloomy picture outlined in the latest report prisoners who have fragile health and beyond the harvest time this year. The carried out by the Justice and Peace ensures that justice is done for the benefit number of food-insecure people is likely to Commission – a body linked to the of those who are awaiting trial, in this Year rise and continue rising.’ Catholic Bishops of the Holy Land. of Jubilee of Mercy’. n

St Anthony Brief 12 Caring for the Least

uring the Tet vacation, I build a small chapel as a means to had the opportunity to reach out and evangelise the local DDvisit the small Franciscan population with the daily liturgy. mental hospital in Can-Tho, the They know that if their mission and capital of the Mekong Delta. This witness is to be successful, they area is predominantly Buddhist must always be accompanied by and Cao Dai (an indigenous reli - the local poor. gion). After the fall of South History repeats itself. In 1957, Vietnam (1975), many friaries seeing the friars’ desire to serve were confiscated and the choices the poor in the remote region of of where the friars could live or do the Mekong Delta, the local ministry became rather limited. But bishop entrusted to them the care the friars did not succumb to the of an abandoned seminary in Cu Lao Gieng tragedy of history. Rather, they branched Patients in the dining room of that used to serve both the Vietnamese and out and followed the spirit of minority to the hospital. Cambodian churches during the colonial wherever it would lead them. Their original times. While providing pastoral ministry for intention of coming to Can-Tho was to Joseph Tan OFM writes the Providence Sisters next door, the friars search for a place to live and to respond to also established a retreat centre, a formation the pastoral needs of the local Church. of the friars’ ministry house for the Franciscan lay brothers, a Here, they established a friary (1999) and clinic for Hansen (Leprosy) and tropical dis - began to give witness to the Gospel of among the weakest in eases, and a fishery. With the war and its simplicity and joy as part of their aftermath only the fishery still operates today Franciscan charism. society in the Mekong but run by others. One of their recent projects of serving Delta in Vietnam. Almost a half century later, the same the poor is the mental hospital. It was spirit of evangelisation led the friars to the built less than a year ago and now holds physical and mental conditions and pre - neighbouring diocese of Can-Tho (1999). about 40 patients, served by one friar scribe medicines. Now, along with the hospital project, the fri - part-time and three full-time, along with a The friars’ daily chores sound like a ars want to reach out to the Catholic college couple of local volunteers. The patients second novitiate! They cook, feed and students at Can-Tho University, the migrant come from all over the country. They are bathe the patients. They organise physical workers and the ‘new poor’ in the industrial either homeless or brought here by rela - and spiritual activities, help the patients to areas, and the Khmer population in nearby tives or the friars. They are divided into take medicines and, most of all, keep them provinces of Ben Tre and Tra Vinh. three levels: those on the way toward safe. The hospital survives on donations Like the waters of the Mekong River that recovery and who eventually can leave or from local and out-of-town benefactors. have kept nourishing the land and the peo - stay at the centre to assist others; those The friars go to pick up food and veg - ple along the Delta over the centuries, the unable to make any improvement and so etables whenever the merchants have left- friars also have been quietly and patiently must stay here for life; and finally those overs in the market. Right now, the hospi - persisting in their mission to live the Gospel, who need to be isolated due to their men - tal is in need of funds for a water purifica - serve the poor and to adapt to the changes tal conditions. Periodically, a volunteer tion system. Hopefully, with the permission in the new demographic landscape of the doctor will come in to check the patient’s of the bishop, the friars would also like to South. n

Apr/May 2016 13 As Ireland marks the Sean Forde: centenary of the 1916 As a young Easter Rising Dermot Irish rebel. Forde , a brother of Brendan Forde OFM, missionary in Latin America, writes of the involvement of their father Seán in the fight for Irish freedom.

ohn Christopher (later, ‘Seán’) Forde was the fourth of fifteen children, of JJwhom five died in childhood, born to his father Luke and mother Mary (née Nolan) at Tuam, Co. Galway on 23 December 1895. Perhaps inspired by the Mellows brothers, Liam and Barney, Republican activists in Co. Galway, Seán moved to Dublin and also joined Fianna Éireann in 1912. He enrolled in the Irish Volunteers in 1914. In July of that year he A Rebel’s Story was one of those who helped bring the guns into Dublin from the yacht ‘Asgard’ at Howth. He attended the funeral of the 28 June 1940, he described part of the suaded, by intermediaries, to surrender on Fenian, O’Donovan Rossa, in Glasnevin, operation thus, ‘The sentry on the para - Sunday morning. at which Padraig Pearse delivered his pet, a very brave man, came down and Marched to the Rotunda Hospital for famous eulogy in August 1915. challenged us; and one of our men shot identification and registration purposes, him in the leg. And when he was shot – Seán Forde, at twenty years of age, over - The Rising he was a poor man – he said something heard a British Officer tell future Taoiseach, Both as a member of the Fianna and of E about his wife and children – but he had Seán Lemass, to ‘go home’ because he Company, 2nd Battalion, Dublin Brigade of not one round of ammunition in his gun. was ‘too young’. Lemass pretended to be the Volunteers, Seán Forde was one of a So we went in and placed the explosives. older but was, in fact, just sixteen. group of insurgents chosen to launch an Then we asked the women and the chil - attack on the Magazine Fort in the dren in the place to get out of there and I Internment Phoenix Park on Easter Monday 1916, told the others to run for it as well. And Together with most of the other insurgents, with the aim of blowing up the munitions as were going out we told any other peo - Seán Forde was marched under military store and so launching the Rising in spec - ple about the place. And then we got escort to the cattle boats at the North Wall tacular fashion. Seán had stayed in away in cars. We took the rifles that were from where they were shipped to various Clontarf the night before and was cycling in it.’ places of confinement in England. During towards the city centre when his bicycle The volunteers made their way, the journey to the docks, they were verbally wheel got caught in a tram track and he together with their bounty of guns, to the insulted by local women whose men folk was sent flying one way and his knapsack North King Street-Church Street area of were away serving in the British Army on another. Little did the RIC officer who the city. There they linked up with mem - the Western Front. However, something that helped him up and returned the knapsack bers of the Four Courts Garrison (1st left a lasting impression on Seán Forde was to him realise that its contents were the Battalion) under the command of Commdt. that the British officer in charge of the very explosives to be used in the attack! Edward Daly. The purpose of this outpost escort detail reprimanded the women for Although they succeeded in capturing was to stop the British army from success - their abuse on the grounds that the volun - what he was later to describe as twelve fully sending reinforcements from the teers ‘had fought bravely’. ‘fine Lee-Enfield rifles’ Seán and his com - Broadstone railway depot to attack and Forde was sent to Stafford prison in the rades failed in their primary objective of attempt to retake the Four Courts. midlands where his fellow inmates included blowing up the munitions dump. Fierce fighting took place throughout Michael Collins and the future government In his interview, under oath, with the the week, with many casualties on both minister, Dr James Ryan (who, many years Military Pensions Advisory Committee on sides, before the insurgents were per - later and partly because of this association,

St Anthony Brief 14 would choose Forde as his Private Forde gave the false name of John Civil War Secretary, when Minister for Health). From Fitzgerald and remained unrecognised. He Upon the attack on the Four Courts and the Stafford he was transferred to Frongoch was released on 30 October and, to his beginning of the Civil War in June 1922, internment camp in Wales, before being surprise and delight, the £35 in notes he Forde was engaged in the fighting which released in August 1916. had in his back pocket on the day of his took place in Dublin, including that at the arrest (the takings from the shop) was still Gresham Hotel where Cathal Brugha was Resumption there when his own clothes were returned entrenched. On Brugha’s orders he and Shortly after his release Seán Forde to him! others attempted to get to Leenane in resumed his activities with the Volunteers, eventually switching to B Company of the 2nd Battalion, Dublin Brigade, where he was appointed 1st Lieutenant and was involved in drilling, training, re-arming and re-organisational matters. During this time he was also employed by Tom Hunter and Peadar Clancy, owners of The Republican Outfitters in Talbot Street, Dublin, which was a valuable meet - ing point for members of ‘the movement’. On 29 January 1919, Forde was taken prisoner with eleven others at the Volunteer Hall on Clonliffe Road. Sentenced to six months imprisonment, he Shipped to England: Rebel prisoners being marched to was one of a large group of prisoners who Dublin Docks in May 1916. made their escape from Mountjoy Jail on 21 March that year. He went ‘on the run’ in Active Service Connemara to receive a shipment of counties Clare and Galway before return - Forde immediately resumed his Volunteer weapons. On their first attempt they were ing to Dublin. There he recommenced his activities and was on active service with turned back at Naas by Free State soldiers work with The Republican Outfitters and the Dublin Brigade during this crucial part and returned to Dublin. However, on the his activities with B Company, 2nd of the War of Independence. As a senior second attempt they travelled via Battalion, including the planning of an intelligence officer he had regular contact Blessington, Co. Wicklow (where they attack on a British troop train at with the Intelligence Department at GHQ. linked up with Ernie O’Malley, amongst oth - Newcomen Bridge, North Strand. On occasion he stood in for his com - ers) and made it to their destination. Around April 1920, Seán Forde was manding officer, Joe Griffin. On the arrest of Joe Griffin on 8 July appointed Deputy Intelligence Officer of Seán relayed the following story, Forde was made Director of Intelligence on the Dublin Brigade. He frequently met with which indicates the respect there was the Republican side. Disguised as a clergy - and acted as a go-between for men from between adversaries, to the Military man in Dublin on 8 October 1922, he was country units and General Headquarters Pensions Advisory Committee during his recognised, arrested and interned on the (GHQ). During that summer Seán spent interview with that body, ‘Mrs McCarthy, Curragh (Hare Park Camp) and later in time in a camp at Portmarnock where the wife of the D.I. [District Inspector] Mountjoy Jail. During this time he under - other visitors included Dan Breen of who was shot by McEoin in Longford, took a 37-day hunger strike. He was Tipperary fame. sent a very fine letter to Dublin Castle, released in May 1924. It was when manning The Republican pointing out that, although her husband Endnote Outfitters shop at Talbot Street on 14 was shot by this man, that he had Seán joined the Civil Service in July 1933, October 1920 that Seán Forde was wit - behaved very gentlemanly and that kind where he was a much respected officer, ness to one of the defining points of the of thing and that from his point of view he serving with distinction in the Departments War of independence. He, together with was fighting for the freedom of his coun - of Agriculture and, subsequently, Health. He Leo Henderson and Joe Vize, was chatting try and it was not murder in the ordinary was requested as Private Secretary by his to Seán Treacy of the 3rd Tipperary sense, and as the widow of the dead former comrade-in-arms, Dr James Ryan, Brigade and one of the most wanted men man she appealed to him to stay the exe - Minister for Health, in 1951 and distin - in Ireland, when the shop was raided by cution. This letter I gave to Mick Collins guished himself in that post. He retired in British troops. After some shots were myself.’ 1960. exchanged, Treacy tried to escape but He maintained that position as intelli - At his funeral in December 1971, at the picked, as his escape vehicle, a bicycle gence officer until the ‘Split’ came request of his family, the Guard of Honour that was far too big for him. He fell off and between Pro-Treaty and Anti-Treaty sides of Old IRA comrades consisted of four was shot dead. Seán Forde and his com - at the end of 1921, when Joe Griffin members who had taken the Pro-Treaty panions were arrested and taken to Dublin became Director of Intelligence of the side and four members who had supported Castle and Mountjoy Jail. IRA and Seán Forde his deputy. the Anti-Treaty side in the Civil War. n

Apr/May 2016 15 Blessing: ‘Socks’ gets a double benediction

FRIARS ON MISSION

Byroads Liam Kelly OFM writes of a recent parish mission, The afternoons were spent visiting the sick and housebound with Fr Peter Gallagher. one of several conducted by the friars in Ireland in Fr Peter gave us excellent hospitality and recent years. we had a very comfortable few days in the presbytery, beautifully situated at the foot s the Franciscan Minister General, Achonry. I was joined by Fr Liam McCarthy of Knock na Shee. Each day the neigh - Fr Michael Perry, reminded us on the mission to Mullinabreena/Achonry bour’s dog ‘Socks’ came to the door and Arecently, from the beginning of the which took place between Wednesday 17 demanded entry. Socks is a feisty little Franciscan Order the friars went out into February and Sunday 21 February. scots terrier and a great friend of Fr the world, in all directions! From the little Each day of the mission began with Peter’s. At first he let the two friars know town of Assisi they went out with a greet - 7.00am Mass in the church either at that we were not known and not welcome ing of peace and a simple message of Achonry or Mullinabreena. A warm atmos - in the house! Little by little he got used to brotherhood. The Franciscans have con - phere was created each day in church, us and eventually stopped barking at us tinued to go out. Readers of St Anthony with tea and scones offered after Mass. It each time we crossed the threshold. Brief are familiar with the Franciscan mis - was a great opportunity for us to meet the We travelled the byroads from town - sion in Zimbabwe, South Africa, South people of the parish and for neighbours to land to townland and visited those who and Central America and China. Here in meet and chat. could not come to the mission. Gradually Ireland there is a tradition of going out to We paid a visit to the local four- what was unfamiliar became very homely parish missions, a tradition that has been teacher national school in Achonry and and welcoming. It is a great privilege to be renewed in recent years. met each class. Cora Kivlehan is welcomed into the homes of a parish dur - In the past two years the Franciscans Principal in the school and Cora and her ing a parish mission. have led three parish missions in the staff couldn’t have been more welcoming. On Wednesday night at 8.00pm we Diocese of Achonry, in the west of Ireland. It was a wonderful morning and gave gathered at Achonry, the ruins of the old The first mission was in Kilkelly/Kilmovee; both of us a real lift. The children had cathedral and the site of St Nathy’s church, word went forth from there, leading to an been making St Bridget’s crosses for the to light and bless the mission fire, to invitation to Tubbercurry/Cloonacoole and mission and these crosses were blessed remember the roots of the parish and to most recently Mullinabreena/Achonry. This and distributed to the families of the bless the cemetery. On a still, moonlit most recent mission took us to the heart parish at our evening liturgy for families evening we gathered around the fire and of the diocese, the old cathedral parish of on Thursday. began the mission at the site of the earliest St Anthony Brief 16 church of the diocese. A later Church of to a niche where (tradition has it) a man as we became more and more familiar with Ireland cathedral was built there (now was buried standing up, either because he the story of the parish, both contemporary sadly no longer in use) and we were told it was very devout and was eager to be on and ancient. is the smallest cathedral in Europe. We his feet for the Day of Resurrection or Religious persecution was the great returned to the parish church where the because he died in a dual and the local challenge to the parish centuries ago. sacraments (the theme of the mission was clergy thought he should be punished by Today the parish has other serious chal - ‘Sacraments: Gateways into Life’) were standing up until the Lord returned! lenges, the same challenges facing all rural introduced in symbol and each symbol In a moment of Franciscan generosity communities in Ireland. Perhaps the main was placed in the sanctuary. Liam invited all present to call into employer in the area, Aurivo Cooperative, Thursday brought us to Mullinabreena Multyfarnham when they are next on the announced last November that it is moving church for 7.00am and 10.00am Masses N4 road to Dublin! Make sure the kettles its butter packing operations from Achonry and in the evening a family liturgy which are boiled, Liam! Friday evening was to Cork. In a small, rural parish community was reflective and included time for fami - devoted to Reconciliation and the theme this a real blow, something that inevitably lies to pray with the two friars on mission. was the Year of Mercy. We had a celebra - touches on other aspects of the parish, This simple ceremony was much appreci - tion of the Sacrament of Reconciliation such as the school, local shops, football ated. and Penance and neighbouring priests teams and opportunities to stay and work joined us for that ceremony. in the home place. Court Abbey On Saturday we celebrated our usual On Sunday we concluded with the On Friday we visited Court Abbey, a ruined Masses and an anointing ceremony for blessing of animals. We were delighted to Third Order Franciscan friary built in the the sick. We had completed the calls to see a variety of hens, dogs, (no cats) and a 15th century and dissolved during the the housebound and we were preparing to lamb. People brought their herd cards to Reformation by Sir Richard Bingham. Court close the mission on Sunday. On a windy include the livestock in the blessing. Salt Abbey is struggling to show itself beneath a and wet Sunday morning we travelled to was also blessed for livestock. As the bless - heavy coat of ivy. At this stage the ivy is Mullach na Croise to visit another sacred ing concluded Liam McCarthy sang ‘Bless probably keeping most of the friary place in the parish. In a field there are this House’ to warm applause. We left the together. We had a Franciscan prayer ser - three mounds which tradition has it con - parish that afternoon, blessed ourselves by vice there and Fr Liam McCarthy spoke of tain the remains of three monks or friars the warmth and kindness of the people, the style of the friary and how it resembled executed by Cromwellians. According to their sincere faith and their hospitality. We Multyfarnham friary (where Liam is based) tradition they were beheaded and their have great memories of the week of the in its structure. A light drizzle fell but no one heads were raised onto the trees and their mission. We never did get to climb the was in a hurry to leave. It was a special bodies buried in the field. A cross which majestic hill of Knock na Shee, so there is a visit for us, connecting us with our appears through the grass marks the good reason to return to the historic and Franciscan roots in a place that is still very graves and is venerated by the local peo - very pleasant parish of Mullinabreena/ evocative and peaceful. We were brought ple. It was another special memory for us Achonry on another spring day. n

The two Liams at the school: St Bridget’s crosses were made by the school children for the mission.

Apr/May 2016 17 St Bonaventure College n February this year the Formation Secretaries for the three IIFranciscan Orders (Franciscan, Conventual and Capuchin) met at St Bonaventure College, Lusaka in Zambia. This study centre for philosophy and Franciscan studies has existed in Lusaka for 24 years as an affiliate of the Pontifical University Antonianum, Rome. It has a three-year programme which offers a Bachelor’s degree in Above: The common chapel. Right: The philosophy. It is a wonderful experi - OFM friary. Below: Some of the students. ence of co-operation between the three Orders who jointly run this school for about 140 African friar stu - dents of the three Orders, as well as students from other religious institutes and some lay students. Besides the school buildings, the campus includes the three houses of formation. There are currently 42 stu - dent friars from across Africa and three senior friars in the OFM house . n JubileeJubileeee yyearear ooff MMercyercy PilgrimagesPilgrimages SHRINESSHRINES OOFF ITALYITITALALY H HOLYOOLLY LLANDAND 2016 FollowingFFoollowinngg inin thetthhe footstepsffooootsteepps FollowingFFoollowinngg inin thetthhe footstepsffooootstteeepps ofof St.St FFraFrancisrancis ooff AsAssisisisi ofof JesusJesus Departures from 8 Night Pilgrimages with April to October direct flights from Packages from €899 per person sharing Belfast, Cork, Dublin and Shannon N D EW IR F EC LIG T HT Pilgrimages includes an expertly crafted itinerary with spiritual director, flights, accommodation, transport, guide and a local Irish Marian Pilgrimages representative while abroad. WWW.MARIAN.IEWWW.MARIAN.IE (01) 878 8159 | (028) 958 10051 | [email protected]@[email protected] 1919 EEdenden QQuay,uay, DDublinublin 1 fullyfulllyy lilicensedcensed aandnd bbondedonded ttourour ooperatorperator bbyy the CCommissionommission forffoor AviationAAvviation renewrenew ouourr spiritspirit ooff love,love, foforgivenessrgiveness and peace RRegulationegulation in IIrelandreland & CCivilivil AAvAviationviation AAuthorityuthority in the UK - TT.O.142.O.142 & AATOLTOL 10206

St Anthony Brief 18 Apr/May 2016 19 t Francis died in 1226 and the Franciscan Province of Ireland SSwas founded in 1230. By 1250 THE two trends emerged – houses in the large cities and friaries sponsored by the new Anglo-Irish nobility. They believed in hav - ing a religious centre near their castles, FRANCISCANS to fulfil their spiritual needs. They turned to the newly arrived mendicant orders – Carmelites, Dominicans and Franciscans. As the number of friaries grew the IN CLANE Province was divided into four or five custodies for administrative purposes. Clane was in the custody of Dublin. Gerald FitzGerald invited the Franciscans to Kildare in 1254 and to Clane in 1258. The seal of the friary in Clane calls it ‘Hortus Angelorum’, the Garden of the Angels. This may be con - nected to the site being near the River Liffey. Gerald FitzMaurice, 4th Lord Offaly, helped finish the buildings in Kildare but it seems that he was buried in Clane friary in 1287. The badly damaged image of a knight in Clane has been associated with him. Gilbert of Clane (or Slane) became Vicar Provincial in 1266, presumably after the death of the Minister Provincial. A new Provincial would have been elected at the Provincial Chapter in 1267. In 1313 Sent by St Francis: the Guardian of Clane, Stephen of Naas, the friars eventually brought a case for trespass against sev - reach Ireland and eral people. His name indicates that friars Clane! tended to live in their own native areas and join the local Franciscan community. The Provincial Chapter was held in pat Conlan OFM looks at the history of the Clane in 1345. The coming of the Black presence of the friars in the Co. Kildare town. Death in 1348-50 claimed the lives of many people throughout Ireland. Being in parliament in 1537. The suppression of dred shillings and two pence. The prop - a rural district Clane may have escaped the friaries near the Pale took place in erty was granted to Sir Thomas Luttrell, the worst effects of the disaster. We next 1539-40. A commission of suppression Chief Justice of Common Bench. He also hear of Clane in 1433 when an indul - took over the friary. Then a group of local got the Franciscan friary in Kildare and gence was granted to those who con - jurors evaluated it. It included three from the Dominican friaries in Naas and Kildare tributed to the friary, which was in need of Clane (Thomas Duff, Donald Kelly and as well as other parcels of land. His prize repair. This may have been the occasion Carbin Rewly = Reilly?) as well as three catch was the hospital of St John Baptist when the transept was built to the south others from the county. in Dublin. The Clane property was let to of the choir and a single aisle added to The jury met in Naas on 22 David Sutton, a member of the Privy the nave. The remnants in the east wall November 1540 and reported that the Council, and occupied by Gerald Sutton. of the choir indicate that the east window church, chancel and part of the dormitory The friary was destroyed by fire in 1549- had three lancets, typical of the second had been destroyed and the material 50. half of the thirteenth century. The cloister from it used by Lord Leonard Grey to In 1617 Donagh Mooney, Irish was to the north of the church. repair Maynooth castle. Grey was Lord Provincial, wrote an account of the Deputy and commanded the army in Province of Ireland based on his journeys Suppression Ireland. All other buildings, with a garden around the country. He said that Clane The Reformation in Ireland came from and close to three acres, two ruined mes - was in a ruinous condition although some the religious policy of Henry VIII. The suages and 73 other acres were suitable of the walls were still standing. He notes Suppression Bill passed through the Irish for farming. The total value was one hun - that the marble image of the founder

St Anthony Brief 20 could be seen on the top of his tomb in eyes. Ghostly figures flit in and out of the major fall in manpower. As part of this the middle of the choir. In 1629 Francis scene. A report in 1698 says that there debate a report by the Provincial in 1766 Matthews, then Provincial, wrote an were nine friars in Co. Kildare. gives Clane as vacant while another account of old friary sites. For Clane he Presumably most were Franciscans. A report of 1766 gives one friar in Clane. gives the correct foundation date of 1258 report gathered in 1731 through local The Guardian in 1763-67 and in 1773-76 and also the date of 1549-50 for the flight Church of Ireland ministers says there was John Waldron. Later he ministered of the community. He also notes that it were no friars in Clane. The Guardian in around Trim until his death in 1799. He was still vacant. 1729-33, Michael Dormer, may have may have lived around Clane. A govern - moved between Kildare and Kilkenny. He ment report in 1800 gives three friars in Reopened studied in the Irish Franciscan College in Kildare, probably associated with Clane. A decision must have been taken to Prague, was ordained in 1702, lectured in The last friar associated with the area reopen Clane for at the chapter of 1645 it theology and was Guardian of the college was Ambrose (Anthony) McDermott. was noted that John Flatisburie would in 1722-24. He died around 1736. Guardian of Kildare in 1804-07, he remain as President of the residence in The Congregation of Propaganda became curate in Kilcloon near Dunboyne Clane. The use of these terms Fide tried to reform the religious orders in in 1807 and parish priest from 1819 until (‘President’ and ‘residence’) means that Ireland. The new legislation led to a he retired in 1830. He died in 1845. n Clane had a small community. At the Chapter in 1647 it was brought up to full status with the appointment of Peter Delamare as Guardian of the friary. He New Life iN Zimbabwe had been teaching philosophy at the fri - ary in Multyfarnham. A full list of the Guardians is available from then until 1872. Many later Guardians were titular. For example, the Guardian of Clane in 1872 was living in Thurles. These titular appointments were made to keep the name of the friary alive and to give cer - tain rights to the friar who was appointed Guardian. The 1650s were years of confusion and persecution. The friars of Clane probably went into hiding. The Guardian in 1650, Peter Gaynor, re-emerged to preside at the next Provincial Chapter held in 1658 when he was nominated to succeed in office if the Provincial became incapacitated, that is if imprisoned or exiled. John Bermingham, who had been Postulant Director, Onward Murape OFM, is pictured with the new elected a Provincial Definitor, was postulants at Nharira Mission in Zimbabwe. appointed Guardian of Clane. The Guardian appointed in 1660 was the ex- Vicar Provincial of 1654-55, Bonaventure Mellaghlin. Clane was obviously regarded as an important friary in these years.

Final Years The Banishment of Religious Act of 1698 brought more trouble. The friars had to become exiles, pretend to be diocesan clergy or go into hiding. They decided in principle to obey the law. Many communi - ties gave their altar vessels into safe - keeping before leaving. There is no evi - dence that this happened in Clane. The Guardian in 1703-06, Francis Walsh, lived within the parish at Rathcoffey. The six senior postulants are in a good mood before they head for their A mist now descends in the records, hospital placement as part of the 18-month programme of their postulancy. hiding religious life from government

Apr/May 2016 21 News from around the . . . Franciscan World

New Book The latest book from Irish friar John O’Brien is entitled, Waiting for God: From Trauma to Healing. Many people find themselves trapped in mental pain, perhaps due to a trauma in their Friar Alessandro in Ireland past. This book is a journey with these people The award-winning Italian Franciscan tenor, Friar Alessandro, returns to Ireland in April from the mists of darkness to the incoming light for two concerts. One in Athlone Friary Church on Friday 15 April, and the second in – a journey to the light of love, the ‘love that Killarney Cathedral on Sunday 17 April. Both concerts begin at 8.00pm. n moves the sun and all the stars’ (Dante). n

Missionaries of Mercy Bull inaugurating the Jubilee Year of responsibility for overcoming obstacles On Ash Wednesday, the Missionaries of Mercy. and taking up the new life of Baptism Mercy were sent forth by Pope Francis These Missionaries are to be: ‘a living again; inspiring preachers of Mercy; her - during a celebration in St Peter’s sign of the Father’s welcome to all those alds of the joy of forgiveness; welcoming, Basilica. Among them were friars from in search of his forgiveness; facilitators for loving, and compassionate Confessors, around the world. The role of the all, with no one excluded, of a truly human who are most especially attentive to the Missionary is described in the Papal encounter, a source of liberation, rich with difficult situations of each person.’ n

St Anthony Brief 22 ‘If We Hate ISIS, en ey Have Won’

ive years after the beginning of Friar pierbattista extremely difficult to grant forgiveness the ‘Arab Spring’ – it seems that it and this cannot be done automatically; it FFprimarily has resulted in chaos pizzaballa OFM, requires time. And as an Italian friar who and the disintegration of the nations Custos of the is living in safety in Jerusalem I am the involved, especially in Syria. Is there any last person who can tell a Christian in reason for the hard-pressed Christians in Franciscans in the Aleppo how this is to be accomplished. the region to be optimistic in 2016? It is Middle East, reflects on But the Christians in Syria and Iraq have difficult to say whether there are reasons to ask themselves this question. The for hope. However, from a political and the tragic situation there. Gospels require this of us. If we fail to do military standpoint, this year will should not be done under any circum - so, our faith will remain theoretical. doubtlessly be a decisive year, a turning stances. In order to make a future possi - Europe is no long simply an observer point. In Syria, I detect a certain war- ble for Christians in their countries, you of the upheaval in the Middle East. It is weariness among the parties concerned. have to push through the concept of citi - directly affected by the flow of refugees They will not be able to continue at this zenship and civil equality. This is where from the region. Many Christians are intensity for much longer. the religious leaders have a part to play. also making their way to Europe. I have Many Christians have already left Because Islamic fundamentalism didn’t to admit that this troubles me. Under no Syria. Trust is broken between Christians just come out of nowhere. circumstances would I encourage the and their (former) Muslim neighbours. However, most of the Islamic clerics Christians to emigrate. We Franciscans, However not all Muslims agree with the say that ISIS, for example, has nothing working in Syria and throughout the ideology of ISIS and other radical jihadist to do with Islam. It is surely a deviation, region, are doing everything in our power groups or support them, of course. After but there are links to the established the - to make it possible for the Christians to all, ISIS, for one, also suppresses ology. After World War II, we Catholics stay. I would tell them: Go to a safe part Muslims in the areas under their control, also had to ask ourselves how modern of the country, but stay in Syria. Fleeing and thus numerically speaking one could anti-Semitism that led to the Shoah was is not a solution. Because the Christians even say they primarily suppress born and if we had a role in this. Muslim belong here. They have a calling here. Muslims. But they still enjoy great popu - theologians now have to ask themselves And Europe is not a paradise. larity. It would be impossible for these similar questions. A theological examina - I would tell the politicians in Europe: groups to control such large parts of tion of conscience is necessary. They It would be better to help the refugees, Syria and Iraq and for such a long time have to ask themselves: What in our including the Christians, here than in without support from the general popula - doctrine led to modern fundamentalism? Europe. It would be better to invest the tion. Christians must set an example of money required to admit millions of Some people propose that it is nec - forgiveness. The Year of Mercy can help refugees in Europe here. It would be essary to separate the different groups make this clear to us. If we hate ISIS, better for both the refugees and the along religious and ethnic borders. This then they have won. It is of course region. n

Apr/May 2016 23 Healing the Wound of Shame

Fr Francis cotter oFM

In this Jubilee Year of Mercy FRANCIS COTTER ter, always a son or daughter. We have always been God’s children. His love has OFM looks at how divine compassion longs to never been withdrawn, even in our dark - est, most bitter moments. We may feel his heal the festering soul-gash left by toxic shame. pardon is too much to receive. It is never too much for him to give. n Ash Wednesday this year Healthy Guilt or Toxic Shame When we do not set limits to God’s Pope Francis commissioned In all this the distinction between guilt and mercy, when we are able to accept our hundreds of ‘Missionaries of toxic shame is critical. We have all vio - OO flawed, unfinished humanity we live under Mercy’ in a ceremony in St Peter’s lated our consciences at times and in dif - a canopy of goodness and peace. Divine Basilica. These priests have a special ferent ways. When we do so it is appropri - forgiveness truly understood and received role during this Jubilee Year to mediate ate that we feel guilty. There is much leads to self-forgiveness; self-forgiveness the Lord’s merciful love. The Pope comment today about ‘Catholic guilt’. But leads to self-acceptance, and self-accep - prayed, ‘May your hands bless and lift to be able to feel guilty after one has tance leads to serenity of soul. The mind your brothers and sisters with tender - done wrong is healthy. However there is a and heart are calmed by the love of God. ness so that through you the gaze and world of a difference between healthy The Father’s full and loving affirmation of hands of the Father may rest on his Christian guilt and persistent toxic shame. us goes to a level no human approval, our children and heals their wounds.’ Guilt says, I did a bad thing. Toxic shame own or others, can ever reach. One cruel wound that many carry in says, I am bad person. Guilt says, I did Just as with the leper in the Gospel – secret pain is the deep wound of something unloving. Toxic shame says, I when we sense Jesus’ outstretched hand shame. The sources of the shame can am unlovable. Guilt says, I made a mis - be many: memories of sins against par - take. Toxic shame says, I am a mistake. ents now dead; bitter regret over having Healthy guilt leads to a desire to change, had an abortion; a grave injustice that to seek forgiveness from God and others, cannot now be righted; a marriage and if necessary, make amends and family shattered by addiction or infi - get on with our lives. Toxic delity; the endless questioning that fol - shame inflicts the wound of self- lows a suicide – ‘If only I had not said rejection that lingers and poisons that!’ life. Some people live and die in their Some people have been reared in shame. homes where children were shamed as The greatest challenge a form of control and punishment. Now of all for many is granting as adults their lives are permeated with themselves forgiveness a sense of being unworthy and less and the chance to begin than. again. Pope Francis reminds Therefore the wound that goes so us that the Lord has seen all we have deep can be inflicted in many different ever done and not once did he take back ways. Trapped in this shame people his love – even as we were doing it. have no mercy on themselves and they ‘Christ knows how fragile and sinful we will not or cannot accept God’s mercy. are, he knows the weakness of our heart; Remorse and regret stick to their souls. he sees it wounded by the evil we have Lack of self-forgiveness makes them committed, and right away he knows how feel tainted. Rather than loving them - much we need forgiveness; he knows that selves with compassion they loathe we must feel loved to do good.’ themselves with bitter recriminations. Because they drag the past behind Inner Healing them like a ball and chain there can So God knows all there is to know about never be hope of a new beginning. us – everything – and still loves us, Lives are lived under this harsh burden. indeed still likes us! Once a son or daugh -

St Anthony Brief 24 No new beginnings: Dragging the past behind like a ball and chain.

gently touch that hidden part of ourselves pain, she showed repentance for her sins; it a powerful help to use their imagination that is loathsome to us – then we shall be with her tears, she appealed to the good - in the prayer of surrendering the past. For cleansed. In this abiding awareness, ness of God for forgiveness. For her, example, in deep prayer they see them - deeper than thought and concept, of there will be no judgment except that selves coming to the Cross with the divine acceptance lies our true inner heal - which comes from God, and this is the weight of their shame. They bring all their ing. judgment of mercy. The protagonist of this mess and pain to the Crucified Jesus and meeting is certainly the love that goes leave it there with him. They set down the The River of Grace beyond justice. No one can be excluded crippling load they have struggled with Grace finds us and then we find our - from the mercy of God.’ long and hard. In their hearts they hear selves. The Christian writer, Randall the Lord say, ‘Come to me – there is no O’Brien, states, ‘Grace means that there No Condemnation condemnation in my heart. Put down your is nothing I can ever do to make God love The answer to the pain of our shame is burden and never pick it up again for you me more, and nothing I can ever do to not to ignore our conscience, try to justify have carried it far too long!’ make God love me less.’ We are loved our wrong or blame others for our behav - For Catholics the Sacrament of and accepted eternally! Grace is rooted in iour. To be free of toxic shame it is impor - Reconciliation is a potent means of heal - God’s character not mine. I am not tant to be specific about the wrongs we ing if celebrated with a spirit of always good but God always loves me. charge ourselves with. We name our expectancy and honest openness. Even Forgiveness always springs from wrong deeds. We have hurt others, some - on the human level, it is good psychology grace. By grace God forgives us, and by times seriously. We have neglected to do to speak out, to verbalise our shame, tell grace God empowers us to forgive our - the loving things towards others. We have our darkest secret, to be listened to with selves and others. Grace is a river. failed often in our relationship with God compassion, and then hear the wonderful Wherever its course wends souls blossom and in our Christian living. words, ‘The Lord has forgiven you your like flowers. If the Christian community We then move beyond a feeling of sins. Go in peace.’ Christ was crucified so was radiating this loving acceptance, sorrow about what we have done or failed that we would not have to be crucified by shame-ridden people would be drawn to to do. We make restitution as best we can sin, shame and regret. the Church like kittens to warm milk. The in ways that restore harmony to our life Speaking recently of the power of the great sadness is that the opposite is so and the lives of those we have hurt. If sacrament of Confession, Pope Francis often the case. possible we seek forgiveness from those said, ‘When God forgives, his forgiveness Last year Pope Francis spoke of the we have offended. If it is not possible, the is so great that it is as though God for - woman who wept at Jesus’ feet when he sincere desire of our heart to be recon - gets. After the priest’s absolution, every was eating in the house of Simon the ciled counts before God. Not every loose repentant person has the certainty, Pharisee (see Luke 7:36-50). The poor end can be tied up in this life but that through faith, that his sins no longer exist. woman obviously had carried a great does not mean our hearts cannot have They no longer exist! God is All Powerful weight of shame and sorrow. Francis peace. God views our lives in the light of but I like to think that he has a weakness: comments, ‘For her, a new season now eternity. a bad memory. Once he forgives he for - begins; she is reborn in love, to a new life. We accept Christ’s forgiveness gets. And this is great! The sins no longer This woman has really met the Lord. In through prayer. With prayer, the impossi - exist; they were cancelled by divine silence, she opened her heart to him; in ble becomes possible. Some people find mercy. Every absolution is, in a certain

Apr/May 2016 25 Healing: the mind and heart are calmed by God’s love.

way, a jubilee of the heart, which rejoices sadness and shame. We release our - Beautiful Face not only the returned child of God and the selves from the bondage of our own Pope Francis says beautifully, ‘The name Church but, especially, God himself.’ harsh judgment. We love ourselves of God is Mercy and when we all under - beyond what we deserve for such is the stand that deeply, it will change our lives! No Fishing! love of God. In the light of Christ’s com - Then we can follow God with love, return This gift of grace can come in such a way passion we take our shame and cast it that mercy and love by loving one another that the healing of the wound of shame is away from us. It has nothing to do with and loving God with our whole heart and experienced quickly. But generally, as in loving God, ourselves or others. We mind and soul. Try to remember each of nature, nothing is created suddenly. There learn that nurturing self-compassion is us has been “mercied” and loved and will must be time – the vine must blossom, an essential component of the spiritual be forever.’ then bear fruit, then ripen. So it is with the journey. When we accept God’s love we mercy that liberates us from our torment. In all this it is important to be aware accept God’s forgiveness. His love breaks There is a passage in the Scriptures of those words or circumstances that the chains that hold us to the past and where the prophet asks for God’s forgive - have power to induce shame, and drag allows us to love ourselves into freedom. ness for himself and the people. He us back into the darkness. We decide to His love allows for growth, change and prays, ‘You are a God who delights in take back the power which shame has new life. God saves us from ourselves, showing mercy. Throw all our sins to the over us. And we take it back as often as from our self-despising. By forgiving us bottom of the sea’ (Micah 7:19). And that necessary. God has forgiven us and now God frees us to forgive ourselves. is what God does, into the deepest it is up to us. Every day we are invited to In time this spiritual awakening deep - ocean. Then God puts up a sign that accept afresh the tender compassion of ens; there is an expanding sense of a full - says, NO FISHING! God does not drag God, and to purposely grant mercy to ness of goodness and light within, a full - up the past nor does he want us to do so. ourselves. ness not coming from us but gifted We receive the forgiveness being offered We always have a choice! Whenever unceasingly. From this fullness we begin to us, and receive it as often as we need the negative thoughts and emotions of to live a spirituality of abundance with our - to. If the wound of shame is old and sad regret and shame rise up like bile – selves and others – a growing conviction deep-rooted we need to allow healing we have a choice – to wallow in our that this gracious, inexhaustible love is grace soak again and again through the shame once again and let the blackness more real and abiding that any sin or layers of bitter self-rejection until we are overwhelm us or switch off the tape with chaos we may have carried. free. its destructive words and turn to God. Mercy is the most beautiful face of It is essential, once we have handed Our injured and brittle hearts can be vul - God. So many of us need to experience over whatever has weighed us down, nerable to the negative stirred up within that tender look of merciful love. God’s that we do not to pick it up again. We but ‘God is greater than our hearts’ compassion opens the prison of shame, consciously choose to let go of memo - (1John 3:20). A key to living in spiritual forgets the past, puts the future back in ries that tie us to a darkened past. We freedom is to constantly speak the Good front of us and welcomes us home to the do not feed the thoughts that fill us with News of hope and grace to ourselves. present moment with wide-open arms. n

St Anthony Brief 26 Conflict is Normal!

Faith in action Fr gearóid ó conaire, oFM

Gearóid Ó Conaire OFM reflects on how to deal in a healthy way with conflict and tensions in relationships and community.

hat do you think of when you outside help. Conflict between individuals ronment. To be effective instruments of hear the word ‘conflict’? If you can have wider negative consequences peace and healing we need to become the WWare like me, you think of pain, for the community, unless dealt with con - message by dealing constructively with worry, difficulty, stress, division, silence, structively. conflict in our lives. The long-term impact ignoring, defensiveness, and so on. It came Many models exist to help deal with of our service as individuals and as as a pleasant surprise for me to discover conflict between people and groups. From Christians will depend on the quality of our that, in fact, conflict is necessary for growth a Christian perspective, the emphasis relationships. They say that 70% of com - and in itself is neither negative nor positive, needs to be on the ’transformation’ of the munication is non-verbal. What is happen - but depends on how we deal with it. conflict, on bringing healing. We first need ing on the inside is transmitted to the out - Conflict is normal. If we try to ignore to be convinced and believe that there are side. Our ‘inner ecology’ has conse - conflicts in the hope that they will go away, transformational possibilities inherent in quences for ‘the outer’. A loving person or fail to deal constructively with them, vio - every conflict, whether between individu - has a much better chance to be effective in lence inevitably ensues. We have choices. als, communities, ethnic groups or transforming conflict. The people can iden - We all need to develop skills to deal better nations. We all know of conflicts that seem tify those who love them, despite these with conflict at every level. to be intractable. people’s personal weaknesses and fail - Conflict is not new. The New ures. No amount of techniques can substi - Testament is full of examples, not least Conflict Transformation tute for efforts made to grow in love, con - between Peter and Paul. Matthew’s Many people are learning how to involve cern, respect and solidarity with others. Gospel (18:15-22) provides indications on ourselves in conflict transformation. And I Getting to know yourself is an impor - how to deal with it and transform it: go and encourage people to re-commit to working tant dimension of this process. St Teresa speak with the person before we bring in for conflict transformation in their own envi - said that we cannot know God if we don’t

Apr/May 2016 27 come to know ourselves. Self-knowledge that benefit both parties. The goal is to issues, and is open to comment from the is fundamental. There are many useful arrive at a win/win situation. conflicting parties. In a highly charged situ - schools of thought and techniques to help Mediation is one of many techniques ation, people can be unable to think or act us know ourselves better. The important available to help transform conflict. clearly. thing is to embark on the journey. It seems Mediation proposes to facilitate dialogue clear that unless we learn to get in touch between disputants who voluntarily enter Healing Strategies with our own inner state and express it in into the process to solve problems. It Opportunities inevitably arise during the healthy ways, it is unlikely we will be able helps people focus on issues to solve their course of these processes for healing to connect emotionally with others. We problems and reach satisfactory agree - strategies to take place. Each person is need to learn to listen to this part of our - ments. The secret is to know when to use encouraged to use the ‘I’ word and not to selves in order to be able to listen to the this process. When Rosa Parks famously apportion blame. In a case, say, when other. decided not to give up her seat to a white someone feels deeply hurt because of cer - When we know the dynamics underly - person on an Alabama bus in the 1950s, tain attitudes or actions, this person is ing our personality – our compulsions, an action of conscious objection that led to given space to express his/her feelings. fears, likes, dislikes, prejudices, etc – it the formation of the civil rights movement The mediator, after having paraphrased will help us to understand and be a lot and freedom for blacks in the United what has been expressed, may then ask more tolerant of the other with his or her States, the last thing needed was a medi - the person to speak directly to the offend - personality. To be effective mediators and ation process between Rosa and the bus ing party. The other person is then asked contribute to conflict trans - to paraphrase what formation and healing we he/she has heard. have to be working on The mediator gives ourselves: otherwise unre - lots of time and helps solved issues are commu - both parties express nicated. For this reason, themselves in a non- people involved in judgemental way and Christian ministry are to listen to one advised to undergo con - another. If the media - sultant supervision. Such tor feels there is a supervision is often not desire for an apology readily available in mis - or some other gesture sion areas. However, for of reconciliation s/he missionaries it is not ade - invites the offending quate to wait for sabbati - party to express these cal time off. Home leave sentiments. needs to be examined as The final part of the a time, not only to relax process is the agree - physically, but also to ment. Based on the strengthen other dimen - proposals elaborated sions of our being. Collaboration: from the interests Building community. expressed, concrete actions are written Community Process down with timelines, responsibilities and a All of this is a community process. In driver! What was needed in this case, and time to evaluate. Both sides generally sign Central America we Franciscan friars took what subsequently evolved with the this document. three days away at the start of the year, involvement of Martin Luther King Jr, was Similar processes are used to bring spending time getting to know one another non-violent personal action. representatives of conflicting parties better. What we found was that collectively Both parties in the dispute must agree together, as well as more elaborate and working on this had positive impacts on to participate. Once the need for media - time-consuming processes being used to our life together and our work with the tion is recognised by parties in conflict or help entire churches or congregations people. Many of us tend to use what is by someone else, and both agree to par - caught up in serious conflict. called a ‘position-base model’ to resolve ticipate, some sort of pre-mediation takes These strategies are increasingly our differences. I have a position, and you place, usually educational in kind. After being used. I think it is really worthwhile have a position, and we both argue while ground rules are established, especially for every religious and priest to learn the trying to convince the other to accept our not to interrupt one another, the parties basic techniques of conflict transformation, position. This is a win/lose model. The so- are given an opportunity to tell their story. useful for many different levels of conflict. called ‘interest-based’ bargaining model is The mediator makes a summary of what’s They need to be an obligatory part of our more appropriate. Behind every position shared. This indicates that he/she has initial and ongoing education. There are lies some interest or need. If both people been listened to. He/she is given an many groups who specialise in training enter into agreement to discover the inter - opportunity to add further relevant infor - Church people in these techniques. The ests and needs that lie behind their own mation before the other person is asked to Mennonites, who run regular courses, position and the other person’s, it may be share their tale. The mediator identifies have a centre in the UK called ‘Bridge possible mutually to agree on solutions common ground and some underlying Builders’ (see www.menno.org.uk).

St Anthony Brief 28 Collaboration For example, the big test for many ing for some folks he had visited earlier Collaboration is central to all of this. priests is when a pastoral council decides that day to come to pray and reflect However, true collaboration is not easily not to support their project proposal. What together with him. My mind returned to El achieved. Sometimes collaboration is mis - do you do? Do you call in the ‘I have the Salvador days and I remembered the diffi - taken for other dimensions of interaction, final-say card’ or do you allow the collec - cult and tiring work, and wondered would I such as co-existence, communication or tive discerning process to take its course? have the energy and passion to begin co-operation. In such tense moments we quickly dis - again. I shared my doubts with Ed and Here’s a good definition: Collaboration cover how serious or not we are about asked him why, after getting a diagnosis of is a style of performing ministry in a way promotion of the laity, collaborative min - incurable cancer, he continued to begin that is completely based on the identifica - istry and collective wisdom. It’s easy to be again. His reply was immediate. He said tion, release, and union of all the gifts in collaborative when everyone agrees with he understood his vocation to be a com - the Christian community so that the mis - our plan or opinion, but a very different munity builder. That gave him energy and sion of Jesus Christ continues (Loughlan story when something we are ‘attached’ to a reason to get out of bed in the morning. Sofield, ST, Carroll Juliano, SHCJ). is knocked on the head. Ed was also inspired by Monsignor Why is collaboration so difficult? I am reminded of what a good Romero who in the course of a homily in Basically, it is about ‘power sharing’. As Franciscan friend, Brother Ed Dunne, said September 1978 said this, ‘What does clerics we tend not to be good at that. A to me a few months before he died. Ed Christ say? “Where two or three gather in friar I know, who does great work encour - was from Philadelphia and worked with my name, there am I in their midst.” Thank aging participation, would say that he was me in El Salvador. I visited him in Cabo you Lord. For where there is community entitled to have ‘the final say’. Our Church San Luis in Mexico, on the other side of a that begins to reflect on your words with is hierarchical and gives this ‘power’ to prosperous tourist town, where he minis - religious sincerity, there you are, Christ the parish priests. So ‘top down’ process is tered to migrant families. We helped build Blessed One, humanity’s Liberator. How not unusual. No one disputes that there up Basic Christian Communities in my heart is filled with hope by a Church are situations when someone must Salvador during the civil war. Anyone where grassroots communities flourish! I decide. However, the process used in tak - familiar with community organising will must ask my dear brother priests to make ing decisions can either empower partici - appreciate nothing can replace personal communities flourish everywhere: in pation and creativity or reduce others to contact. Nearly 15 years later I meet Ed neighbourhoods, in villages, among fami - mere spectators. sitting in front of a makeshift dwelling wait - lies.’ n

ZIMBABWE DAY 2016

Once again the children, parents and teachers of Ballylinan National School, Co. Laois, held their annual Zim Day, their 15th, to support Franciscan work in Zimbabwe. Due to the hard work and generosity of all involved €2,000 was raised at the school on the day to be distributed to the poor in Zimbabwe via the Irish Franciscan Missionary Union.

29 mission digest FRIARS IN pApuA NEW GuINEA

The Minister General, Michael Perry OFM, visited the friars in Papua New Guinea in February. A total of 35 friars including novices make up the Custody of Francis of Assisi. During his time there the Minister General also met with the Poor Clares, Secular Franciscans and the local bishop. With the friars in Papua New Guinea.

Above left: With the Secular Franciscans. Above right: A warm greeting. Below left: A traditional welcome. Below right: With the local bishop.

St Anthony Brief 30 HOLY LAnd national Franciscan Pilgrimage

Led by Fr. Bernard Jones O.F.M. Commissary to the Holy Land 6th –14th OCTOBER 2016 4 Nights Jerusalem & 4 Nights Tiberias Unique opportunity to join the Franciscan Pilgrimage celebrating the “JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY” There is limited availability on this special Pilgrimage. Early booking essential. Staying in the Olive Tree Hotel Jerusalem & the Caesar Hotel Tiberias For further information contact: Premier Travel Tel. 021-4277700 or [email protected]

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Friar Pat Lynch OFM – Director of Pastoral Care of Vocations Franciscan Vocations Office, Franciscan Friary, Athlone, Co. Westmeath Mobile: 087 1346267 Email: [email protected] Web: www.franciscans.ie