SSTT AANNTTHHOONNYY bbrriieeff

€ IRISH FRANCISCAN MISSION MAGAZINE No .5 AUG/SEPT 2008 1.00

AA PPoooorr CCllaarree’’ss SSttoorryy ZZiimmbbaabbwwee:: 5500 YYeeaarrss ooff FFrraanncciissccaann MMiissssiioonn TThhee RRooaadd ttoo AAffrriiccaa GGoooodd PPooppee JJoohhnn To live, we must daily break the body and shed the blood of creation.

When we do it knowingly, lovingly, skilfully, reverently, it is a sacrament.

When we do it ignorantly, greedily, destructively, Spirit It is a desecration.

and – Wendell Berry Life

2 St Anthony Brief SSTT ANTHONANTHONYY briefbrief

From the Editor.

4 A Poor Clare’s Story – Marketing Professional to Nun . A South African, living a very successful and busy life in London, ends up a 5 Poor Clare in Galway. SR MYRIAM tells her story.

Zimbabwe: 50 Years of Franciscan Mission . As the Franciscan Mission to Zimbabwe celebrates 50 years, FR EMMANUEL 8 MUSARA, OFM, Custos, sends a message to the our readers.

The Road to Africa. FR LIAM M cCARTHY, OFM , a former Custos in Zimbabwe, looks back at the long road that finally led him 10 to that country in 2001.

Church Brief.

12 A Martyr of Charity. From South Africa BISHOP WILLIAM 13 SLATTERY, OFM, tells of the heroic sacrifice of Sr Anne Thole. Spotlight on China. FR JOHN FLYNN writes that, with the Olympics approaching, human rights and religious freedom in China 14 are being closely examined.

The Spirituality of Imperfection. FR FRANCIS COTTER, OFM, looks at the Christian wisdom that can help us when we experience the 16 pain of our imperfect lives.

A Future of Peace.

19 Good John: Franciscan Tertiary. FR PAT CONLAN, OFM, remembers John XXIII, a man with a Franciscan heart, 50 years after 20 his election as Pope.

News from Around the Franciscan World. Volume 68 No.5 Missionary Magazine of the Irish 22 A Year of Jubilees! This year the in the Ennis monastery . Published bi-monthly by celebrate 50 years since their foundation, along with other jubilees. the Franciscan Missionary Union, 23 8 Merchants Quay, Dublin 8.

Editor: Fr Ulic Troy, OFM. Befriending the Guilty. FR KIE RAN CRONIN, OFM, ponders how Production: Fr Francis Cotter, OFM. 24 Christians should relate to those guilty of crime . Subscription & Distribution Secretary: Helen Doran. Tel: (01) 6777651. The Cry of the Earth. FR GEARÓID Ó CONAIRE, OFM, examines Design, Layout & Printing: Corcoran Print & Design. the pastoral letter of the Irish Bishops on climate change. Tel: (053) 9234760. 27 Subscription including Postage: € Mission Digest. Ireland – 12.00 per annum Britain – Stg£10.00 per annum € Overseas – 15.00 per annum 30 Prayer and Mission. Cover: Srs Collette, Myriam and Imelda. 31 Aug/Sept 2008 3 From the Editor…

For a" numCber oAf monRths noIw, Non theG radio , TCV andO in neNwspapCers, wEe havRe beeNn bom” barded by commentators telling us about rising oil prices, falling shares, inflation etc., all pointing towards that word called recession – and the consequences of recession. At times we wonder what is motivating all of this alarming news. Is it speculation or greed, defined by St Paul as the worship of false gods? Whichever way you define it, it certainly causes concern among many people in the Western world. Then you look at what is reported from other parts of the world – Darfur, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Burma and China, and witness what is happening to the millions of people in those countries. Both scenarios illuminate relationships, attitudes, and Fr Ulic Troy efforts on the part of people everywhere and the consequences of those relationships.

Relationships – be they individual, national, cultural, international and sometimes even eccle - siastical – are damaged by greed, violence, racial prejudice, the violation of creation and other modern obscenities. Starvation on the current vast scale is, in part, the product of wars, ruthlessness, selfishness and corruption. When so much that is negative infects the atmos - phere, the Church or the People of God dare not add to the negative tone of the times, either by what they do or fail to do. On the contrary, we must enable people to live life in all its fullness and wholeness – not by speculation or greed, nor by looking on and doing nothing when millions die of hunger and starvation. It is pathetic to see the paralysis of world leaders who are unwilling to do what is right and proper in caring for people who are oppressed or dying from starvation.

Compare all of this with what we see in the Gospel. The capacity of Jesus Christ to empathise with people in need was remarkable. It did not matter who they were or from what background they came. The common people heard Him gladly, but so did an educated and intelligent mind like Nicodemus. A blind beggar could cry out from the roadside and be heard. The Syro- Phoenician woman, symbolically scrambling for crumbs falling from the table of the privi - leged, could get His attention and, furthermore, earn His commendation and praise for her great faith. He was equally at ease with a loathed tax-gatherer like Zacchaeus, and an unknown woman from Samaria. In all of these cases Jesus showed that people mattered and had value. Wherever and whenever we suffer, God shares our pain – be it physical pain, the emotional pain of rejection, the spiritual pain of persistent failure, the hurt of redundancy and unemploy - ment. God does not send pain and suffering just to amuse Himself, and He is not present in pious platitudes about “growing through suffering” (though people do). He is simply there offering the Divine empathy with human agony, individually or on a massive scale.

In the time of Christ, and even more so now, many people regard themselves as being of little value. If we are to live as witnesses to our faith, to our Lord, we must show these very people – the poor, the hungry, the sick, the homeless – that they are indeed loved, by sharing our talents and goods with them. Each and every one of us must make an effort, must do some - thing positive in the world. The indifference must end! Christ understood and shared the pain of the people around him, and so must we. In the midst of rising oil prices, falling shares, recession, we have to ask ourselves if our concern is directed towards the right issues.

– Ulic Troy, OFM ([email protected])

4 St Anthony Brief Sisters: Sr Myriam between Srs Faustina and Collette (now )

A Poor Clare-s Story Marketing Professional to Nun dad died, a parishioner stood up at the A South African, living a very successful life end of Mass and told us that Our Lady was appearing and giving the world in London, ends up a Poor Clare in Galway. messages in Medjugorje, a place in SR MYRIAM tells her story. Bosnia. I was profoundly moved, convinced that what he was saying was eople sometimes wonder if I had to a point where I found myself in a true and I started to try to live the some kind of nervous breakdown place of inner darkness and it was there Gospel as Jesus teaches. Before long I or emotional crisis and if I “locked that I encountered God’s love for me and started university and my first serious mPPyself away” in a monastery to escape my life began to change direction. boyfriend was on the scene. from it all. The reality is much simpler: I My zeal for prayer and searching for experienced God’s all-consuming love for Cape Town and London God soon faded as the joys of falling in me and began desiring to love Jesus with I grew up beside the sea in Cape Town, love and a fantastic social-life took over. all my heart. Trust me, if I wanted to South Africa. My mother used to take my I began to question the Church’s teach - escape anywhere, it would have been to sister and me to Mass but, other than ing in a number of areas, convincing the Bahamas! Until a few years ago, on that, prayer didn’t feature in our family myself that they were outdated, irrele - the surface I “had it all.” A fantastic life. It was in suffering the loss of my vant and impractical. Basically, as they career, earning loads of money, a social dad to cancer when I was eighteen that I didn’t condone my lifestyle, I chose to life second to none, clubbing and party - began to question what life was really all ignore them and my walk away from God ing, you name it, and travelling round about. The worst thing that could ever and the practise of my faith began. Mass the world on business and for pleasure. I happen to me had happened and the did nothing for me and, anyway, I was had always believed that what was pain was indescribable. There were some usually too hung-over on a Sunday morn - necessary and of value was power, mornings that I woke up having dreamed ing to even contemplate it. I left Cape money, prestige, looking good and very realistically about my dad and I Town after university and backpacked success. I went after all those things. wished I could just stay asleep forever round the world for a year before start - Paradoxically though, the more I and not have to face life without him. I ing my career in London. There I worked achieved and the more I conformed to found great comfort in prayer and going my way to a top managerial position in society’s values, the more I felt an to Mass and really felt the presence of an international financial company. I was increasing emptiness inside me. It came God in my life. A few months after my partying hard, living the high life and

Aug/Sept 2008 5 loving it. But over time I became aware change automatically and I wasn’t even during a time of prayer, the fear of reli - of an increasing emptiness and lack of really aware of how God was leading gious life that I had been feeling was meaning in my life that none of my me, but He was. simply lifted from me. I was given the pleasure-seeking seemed to fill, grace to trust that Jesus would only lead however much I tried. On the surface no Becoming a Nun? me where I would be happy and I was no one would have known that everything I had had several serious relationships longer afraid. wasn’t as it appeared to be, because I and had never remotely considered not I still wanted to get married, but at was having fun and I had everything getting married and having children, but the same time felt a strong desire to anyone could want. It’s difficult to the thought of committing myself to God give myself totally to Jesus in a way explain, but on a deeper level I wasn’t as a nun began to surface and wouldn’t that I felt I couldn’t if I were married. happy with the person I had become. I go away. This was the absolute last thing At a Youth2000 retreat in England, I felt that I had somehow lost my way. I wanted and the very idea of it totally couldn’t stand the turmoil one minute freaked me out. At the same time, I was longer and so I told Jesus that I was Faith Re-ignited sure that I had been created for a going to be a nun and if that wasn’t the It was during this time of inner struggle purpose and it would only be in discover - way ahead, He would have to tell me that I had a powerful experience of the ing this purpose in the deepest desire of quickly so that I could find a husband. presence of God while I was on a busi - my heart, that I would be truly happy, There were no wonderful feelings to ness trip to the U.S. in October 1999. I fulfilled and find the completeness I had accompany this decision but in the can only describe it as feeling in my been searching for. No matter how much following months, through time alone heart as if Jesus reached down to hold I ran away screaming, fearful and fight - with God in prayer, I felt a strengthen - my hand, placed a mirror in front of me ing God tooth and nail, I have held on to ing of the “yes” and an unexpected joy and asked, without judgement or and peace within me. I visited a few condemnation: “This is who you are. Is different religious communities and met this who you want to be?” Even though regularly with my spiritual director. I am in that moment I felt totally accepted a passionate lover of life, and love by God in spite of the way I was living interacting with people, so I was sure my life, I knew I didn’t want to that there was no way, given my back - continue to be who I felt I had become. ground, skills and personality that I Some Christian friends, who knew me could ever be happy in, or even well and must have seen that I was consider, an enclosed order. At the same searching for something more in my life time, I wanted to look at all the options even before I did, suggested that I do and there was a mystery in enclosed life the Alpha course, a ten-week introduc - that made me very curious. I knew tion to Christianity at the interdenomi - there had to be something that made national church, Holy Trinity Brompton. that way of life worth living. I was open to finding out more and I felt Friends in Medjugorje enthused I had nothing to lose by trying it. about the Poor Clares in Galway and Through the dynamic teaching, vibrant even though I really didn’t think that praise, worship services and prayer enclosed life was the answer to my ministry I was put in touch again with quest, I decided to visit the community the reality and power of God. Cape Town: in June 2003. I was asked recently how I I had a sense that what I was looking Clare (now Sr Myriam, centre) felt walking up the driveway to the for lay in the Catholic faith I had aban - with her sister and friend monastery the first time. I had to admit doned, so I started going back to Mass. to actually feeling quite sick and afraid A few months later my faith was re- this fundamental belief and trusted in that this might be the way God was ignited at a Youth2000 retreat that Him. As doors began to open I just tried inviting me to even though I was sure it somebody had suggested I go on. I to take each next step in faith and trust. couldn’t be. However, walking in the wanted to start afresh so I went to Out of the blue, in February 2001, my door, I knew I was somewhere special. Confession for the first time in years. I friend, Rani, arranged for me to go on There were so many young Sisters and wasn’t sure how the priest would react. my first trip to Medjugorje. While I was the community was vibrant, friendly I was very nervous but I experienced the there I had an indescribable, completely and full of joy — and totally normal. I mercy and compassion of Jesus through incredible experience. One day, on Fr could see that they were dedicated to him. It was a huge relief to unburden Jozo’s retreat, I felt totally and utterly loving Jesus with all their hearts and I myself and be told that God always overwhelmed by Jesus’ love for me. I felt a desire within me to stand with forgives and accepts me unconditionally. knew what it was to be loved by my them on the front line of the spiritual I started to pray and develop a living family and by boyfriends but until then I battle. Although I couldn’t explain it relationship with Jesus, encountering had only known Jesus’ love as a theory. and resisted it mightily, there was a Him not only in reading the Bible, but The desire to respond with my whole part of me that felt drawn to what they also in everyday things. My life didn’t heart welled up within and that night, clearly had.

6 St Anthony Brief Giving It a Try best friend, has stood by me uncondi - Clares. We take turns in Adoration They invited me to try the life out for tionally even though she shares the throughout the day, rising also at two weeks, as it was clear that this was anguish of separation that we all feel. midnight for a time of community prayer really the only way to come to a deci - Like every vocation, there are times that and silent Adoration. The focus of our sion. I experienced deep peace during are hard and things that are painful. life is essentially to facilitate encounter this time with the community and had Definitely the hardest thing for me about with Jesus and growing in a personal great fun with the Sisters. They were all the decision I have made is the pain relationship with Him. When I am in so happy and, as they shared the stories caused to those I love. All I can do is Adoration before Jesus in the darkness of their vocations with me, their lives continue to entrust them to Jesus and and stillness of the chapel, lit only by spoke powerfully of their deep desire Our Lady and trust that my being here, candles, I know there is nowhere else on and love for Jesus. I wrestled endlessly with myself and with God. There was so much I felt I could do to help people in a practical way, but at the same time I knew that nothing was more valuable or effective than prayer. I decided that I didn’t want to have any regrets and I had nothing to lose by giving the Poor Clare way of life a try, as this was the only way to really know if it was what God was calling me to. So, even though there are not many people who under - stand my choice, I joined the Poor Clares in Galway on 2nd March 2004 as a postulant. This was a year where I lived alongside the community to get a real experience of it, not making any commitment and wearing my own clothes. A Sister who helps us discern whether this way of life is for us accom - panies each of us starting off. In fact, the whole community is discerning with us because the Sisters only want for us what God wants. There are a minimum A new song: Srs Collette and Myriam (when a Novice) of six years before making a final commitment so I knew there was plenty because it is God’s plan for my life, is earth I would rather be. Our lifestyle is of time to decide. part of His plan for their ultimate happi - very simple and even though it is After the first ten months, I went ness too. Jesus continues to give me the completely different from anything I have home for two weeks to make sure that I grace to have faith in His Word and He ever experienced before, I love it. Shar - wanted to go forward. Even though it has never let me down. ing our lives together as a community is hasn’t always been easy, Jesus has My choice does not make much sense essential to our Franciscan family spirit always given me the courage and trust in on a rational level. I know that. But and we have great fun together. It has Him that I have needed to take each deep within me, where understanding been incredible to discover, in the midst next step. On 2nd March 2005, I received ceases to be the priority, I am at peace of a loving community, a deep inner free - the habit of St Clare as a novice and my with wanting to give myself to God dom that lies in appreciating and accept - religious name, Myriam, but still did not totally in this way. All I know is that I ing the beauty and giftedness as well as make any formal commitment. In March love Jesus and my deepest desire is to the weakness and brokenness in myself 2007 I made my first vows for three commit my life and all that I am and and in others. This can be challenging but years and after that I will make my final have totally to Him. This is the liberating as I continue to find an inner vows for life if I, and the community, are “instinct” I am following and I am peace and joy that does not come from sure that this is my vocation. convinced that, even when it doesn’t what I own, being in control, gaining feel that way, I am receiving infinitely approval, or following the latest trends. Deepest Desire more than I am giving, and my family More and more I see the transforming My family would a million times over and all those I pray for are sharing in power of God’s infinite and unconditional wish that I hadn’t chosen this path. My these blessings. I pray that every person love in our lives. mother finds it impossible to understand may know the healing love of God in For more information on our commu - why her daughter, who could have had their lives. nity: www.poorclares.ie (includes: testi - and done anything, would choose to Jesus, present in the Blessed Sacra - monies, photos, Q&A, prayer helps, and become a nun. My sister, who is also my ment, is at the centre of our life as Poor details about our life). I

Aug/Sept 2008 7 ZIMBABWE: 50 YEARS OF FRANCISCAN MISSION As the Franciscan Mission to Zimbabwe celebrates 50 years, FR EMMANUEL MUSARA, OFM, Custos, sends a message to the readers of St Anthony brief.

Jubilee: a time to praise God

el: Fr Emmanu Looking forward in hope: nual support gratitude for conti Frs Xavier, Hosea and Nicholas

8 St Anthony Brief Custody of the Good Shepherd, Harare, May 2008. ef. To all the readers of the Bri om Zimbabwe. Greetings fr rite to you. Isn't it we brothers in Zimbabwe w t joy and thankfulness that It is with grea eautiful country! ranciscan presence in this b celebrating 50 years of a F wonderful that we are Clare lives on e spirit of St Francis and St ! We are indeed blessed. Th Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia in this land. to the , in all readers of the Brief and e to the people of Ireland, to We are full of gratitud r Custody, I years. As I look around ou us throughout these last 50 rticular, who have supported erosity pa e. I am humbled by the gen n planted many years befor uits of seeds which have bee , see the fr nabled us to build churches er the years. Your help has e ho have given donations ov of the people w boreholes, plant trees, al and town parishes; to dig establish the Church in rur schools, friaries; to k, tend the dying, r education; to nurse the sic d feed children, pay for thei give food aid, clothe an m a hymn: m reminded of the words fro list could go on and on. I a pay for their burial etc. The that you do unto me." least of my brothers / sisters "Whatsoever you do for the one in the rs through the years — all d e of the kindness of the fria hear stories from our peopl rs and I you all. I remember the fria ition. May the Lord reward und, not looking for recogn s, backgro Italy and UK over the year Poland, Mexico, Argentina, o have come from Ireland, volunteers wh . Thank you. rom. Thank you. Thank you ich we are now benefiting f to sow the seeds wh we the people of e conscious of the gift that ysterious ways. Let us also b The Lord moves in m lso helped you us. The spirit of Africa has a people who have been with Zimbabwe have given to the ! urney. Let us praise the Lord on your spiritual jo re Sisters in l for the gift of our Poor Cla ly is growing. I am gratefu Our Franciscan fami You are our ission is most appreciated. upport and prayer for our m arare. Your hidden life of s nk you H land is also a blessing. Tha numbers of the SFO in our al batteries! The growth in spiritu in Zimbabwe. plant the Franciscan family have and are helping to im to all who der over our lives and use and give thanks, to pon and jubilees invite us to pa Anniversaries o prepare the future er the past with gratitude, t e Church asks us to rememb discern the future. Th is especially apt Millennio Ineunte 1). This sent with enthusiasm (Novo with hope, by living the pre ountry. crisis in the history of our c re in the midst of the worst s here in Zimbabwe, as we a ope- for u gerous consequences) or a h losion (with disastrous, dan n the brink of either an imp We are o t. ayers and continued suppor outcome. We ask for your pr ful, peaceful as to be done to assive contentment. Much h th gratitude, but not with p We look back wi onsibility to heritance and it is our resp . We have received a rich in contribute to our future future with that we can be open to the ause we have been nurtured nurture it. It is precisely bec sent with enthusiasm! confidence and live the pre nged to roubled land. We are challe is to help the people of this t r challenge as Franciscans y Ou rs as we discern the best wa ation. We ask for your praye ours of peace and reconcili be troubad ciety. These are troubled an family in Church and so involvement of the Francisc forward for the e confident that, in ur continued support, we ar ubled times ahead. With yo times and we see tro be well.” all manner of things shall rwich: "All shall be well and the words of Julian of No nd the UK, mbabwe, Ireland, Poland a we, in our own homes in Zi Let us support each other as promptings of the Spirit. wherever you are, follow the os . manuel Musara, OFM, Cust May the Lord give you peace – Em

Aug/Sept 2008 9 THE ROAD TOFR LI AMAFRICA McCARTHY, OFM, a former Custos in Zimbabwe, looks back at the long road that finally led him to that country in 2001.

Africa at last: Frs Liam and Walter Gallahue with children at Nharira Mission

he missionary vocation — where by the gilt-edge invitation I received to the mite box was encouraging — does it begin? How does it attend a reception in Dublin’s Gresham support for the missions was growing. begin? As I put pen to paper and Hotel, organised for promoters by Fr The mite-box also supported us in the TrToll back the pages of time I can still Oliver Moran, OFM, Director of the house — as it was possible to take out clearly see the class room in the Christ - Franciscan Missionary Union. Fr Oliver coppers and use them for the gas- ian Brothers School at Donore Avenue, was a happy outgoing person — encour - meter — and replace them when Dublin. I was nine years of age. It was aging all to become supporters of the opportune with a sixpenny bit or even there in the 1940s that I first saw the missions. The invitation to the Gresham a half-crown. two-page Franciscan missionary maga - was really something. Fr Oliver didn’t It was now time to launch out to zine, St Anthony brief . It was like a do things in a small way. I felt so Africa — by post! I asked for the name magnet — drawing me into another important as I made my way to the of a missionary in that distant and world: the pictures of missionaries in Gresham — the first time in my life — strange land and sat at the dining Africa, the little articles describing and there saw delicious ham sand - room table to pen my questions: Irish Franciscans in that distant land, wiches surrounded with parsley. We “What was it like?” “Were there wild the story of those who had left all never had that kind at home. Tea and animals?” “Where are you from?” My things to follow Christ. I decided to sandwiches in the Gresham! This was missionary letter was my first time to become a promoter and put my name no ordinary organisation I was in. I was express in words the missionary desire. down for twelve copies per month. on the ladder. My missionary vocation I wonder where is the letter now? There would be no trouble getting was putting down roots. Probably in some missionary archive in twelve buyers — relations and neigh - Africa! Anyway a reply came in the bours could be persuaded to support Mite Box Brief . It was from my missionary to the missions and give generously — a I took a further step in being a whom I wrote, Fr Bernardine Dore, penny a copy! Well to be honest missionary by offering to take a mite- OFM. I still remember the strange marketing wasn’t that easy! There was box and persuade visitors to our home address: Hardenberg Mission, a lot of competition from other to put in something for the missions. Matatiele, Kokstad, South Africa. He missionary magazines, and the ever- The picture on the box is still in my said in reply that he had a letter from popular The Messenger had a well memory: St Anthony giving out bread a young chap in Ireland who wanted to established place in Irish homes. to the poor, and words telling all that know if he was Irish. Fr Bernardine But this did not put me off. My St Anthony was the Patron of Francis - replied that before he joined the friars missionary zeal was strongly supported can Missions. The sound of coppers in his name was Paddy! Fr Bernardine is

10 St Anthony Brief outlet. With the local FMU and Fr Close to the People Seamus Donohue, OFM, as its Director, Zimbabwe — what a beautiful country! we began the Open Day in the friary Five times the size of Ireland, a land of garden for missionaries. We set up a natural beauty: from the Eastern High - permanent exhibition at the friary and lands to Victoria Falls, to the Zambezi the rest is history! If you want to know River… with a loving warm-hearted still with us — retired in Ireland. May more about the Open Days in the friary people who have a great welcome for THE ROAD TO AFRthe LIord conCtinue to bleA ss him. garden ask Fr Seamus in Ennis. He has the missionaries. The Franciscans, for My links with the Franciscans many stories — Fr John and the plants, over fifty years, have had a very special continued. I, with my dad and brother, Mrs Coyle and the donkey. They were place in the hearts of those to whom joined the Third Order at Merchants’ great days. the friars ministered. The friars learned Quay. My mother was also a member. In 1984 it seemed that the mission - the language, Shona, and have always Later my sisters joined — so we are all ary vocation was about to bear fruit, been so close to the people. An assis - Franciscans! Merchants’ Quay became a and in a way it did. I was asked to go tant at a check-out in a large store kind of second home, a spiritual home: the beautiful church, the sight of the friars moving across the upper section of the sanctuary, the packed church for St Anthony’s perpetual novena on Tues - day evenings, St Anthony devotions. I can still see the young Franciscan standing in the pulpit preaching so beautifully, kind, gentle, encouraging — Fr Lucius McClean, OFM. Fr Lucius had great charism. Sadly he died young when he was just fifty-four years of age. He became my confessor and spir - itual director guiding me along the path that finally led me to join the Franciscans in 1954. Now I was on the road that some day would lead to Africa. The local curate — a priest of most kind disposition — for whom I was an altar server, asked me why I was joining the Franciscans. I told him that Looking good: Liam with Fr Thomas Makamure I wanted to be a missionary. “Very good” he said, and added: “We also to Belfast with Fr Diarmuid O’Rian, heard a speaking Shona and asked have priests who go on the missions to OFM. Later we were joined by Br where he came from. Learning he came England.” However, at this stage my Salvador Kenny and Br Michael Cullen. from Ireland she replied: “Well, I never roots were set in the Franciscan soil In the opening of a house in the dock - knew the people in Ireland spoke Shona!” and Africa seemed more appealing than lands of Belfast we were, in a sense, Why did I come here? A good ques - England! on a new kind of mission. They were tion! I came because the missionary happy years but it was not Africa! In vocation was always there. My love for Now Or Never 1993 I was sent to Rome and after six the people of Africa inspires me to do After my ordination in 1964 I was asked years it seemed the clock and calendar what I can to help them. I seek to help to go for higher studies in philosophy were moving fast. So in 2001 I volun - in various ways: in the formation of the and then go to Africa to teach it. This teered for Africa — for the Irish Fran - young friars here, serving in the seemed to be the way to fulfil the ciscan Mission in Zimbabwe. I set off, Custody, and in reaching out to the dream but the Lord had other plans. I with the blessing of the Provincial, Fr wonderful people of Zimbabwe through returned to Ireland, served in Athlone Ulic Troy, on the 21st January. Looking the Franciscan presence of the young friary, and then on to Rossnowlagh for back I feel it was the right decision. It friars — now and into the future, as the six years. Was the missionary vocation was over fifty years since I first saw next fifty years unfold. slipping? In case it would, I decided to the little two-page Brief in school. As So that’s it. As the poet Robert Frost volunteer for Central America in 1978. one friar said to me when he heard I wrote: I was asked instead to go to central was going to Africa as a missionary: “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I — Ireland — back to Athlone! There the “It’s now or never” — that’s one way of I took the one less travelled by, missionary vocation found a new putting it! How true. And that has made all the difference.” I

Aug/Sept 2008 11 CChhuurrcchh BBrriieeff Food Crisis Closes Seminary been nothing short of astonishing. We've impressed by the vitality, a moving The Catholic seminary in Makurdi in received testimonies from countless vivacity in the faith experience." The central Nigeria is facing closure this converts and people who have come back said that he tells visitors to month as a result of the worldwide food to the Catholic Church as a result of what Albania: "Help us with your preparation, crisis, reported Aid to the Church in they've heard or seen on various Catholic with your experience. Nevertheless, Need. Monsignor Kenneth Enang, Rector podcasts, videos and blogs. The evidence when you come here, we will transmit to of the seminary, told the aid agency that of the Holy Spirit is overwhelming." you our missionary spirit, our enthusi - the major seminary, in which some asm, and it is truly a beautiful 520 seminarians from 15 dioceses thing. It's clear that this doesn't are preparing for the priesthood, mean we don't have difficulties, has already been forced to ration that we don't have problems, but the food on account of the "astro - the crosses that form part of our nomical prices." An additional daily life show that there is vital - problem is the price of diesel, ity. We have a Church that is which is used to provide electricity. moving forward and growing and Within just one week, the price of this has been visible above all in diesel has risen by a third. Aid to the last 17 years. This has been the Church in Need reports that the accomplished as much at the worldwide food crisis is becoming spiritual level as at the educa - an ever greater problem for semi - tion, cultural and social level." naries throughout the developing Albania has a population of world, and is likely to threaten the about 3.2 million, about a half- continued functioning of many other million of whom are Catholic. seminaries. The Church is organised in two archdioceses and three dioceses, Podcasters for Christ as well as the Byzantine apos - Catholics have a responsibility to use tolic administration of Southern their creativity, knowledge and Albania. experience to bring more people to Christ, says media executive Greg Poor Should Get Riches Willits. Willits is the chief operations of the Soil officer of the Star Quest Production Rich countries cannot appropri - Network (SQPN). He hosted the first ate the wealth of poor nations Catholic New Media which was held hidden in the soil or under - in Atlanta, USA, in June. The event ground, Pope Benedict affirmed. The was a day of sharing the latest technolo - Reaching out: evangelising Pope stated this when he received the letters of credence of nine new ambas - gies and techniques used to creatively through the new m and effectively invite others to grow in edia sadors to the , many of them the Catholic faith through new and Faith in Post-Communist Albania from African nations. "The international modern ways, not only in parishes and The bishops of Albania say that despite community is also called to act — over dioceses, but throughout the whole the "material and spiritual destruction" and above simple justice — by showing world. "It is amazing how much new suffered under communism, the Church its solidarity with the poorest and ensur - media — such as podcasting, blogs and in their country is alive and well, albeit ing a better distribution of wealth, other technologies — have helped people in need of support. Archbishop Angelo enabling especially those countries grow in their faith and grow closer to Massafra of Shkoder said the Church in whose wealth resides in the soil or under God," says Willits. "Both Pope John Paul Albania "could need to be supported a the soil to be the primary beneficiaries and Pope Benedict have encouraged the little more at the economic level as well of that wealth. Rich countries cannot faithful to actively participate in the because we are in a negative period appropriate what comes from other New Evangelisation — of reaching out to worldwide.” He said that the faith of the lands. Justice and solidarity must mean the world for the sake of the Catholic Church in Albania is "very alive: Whoever that the international community over - Church. Willits underlined: "The fruit comes to participate in our liturgies, to sees the distribution of resources," the from evangelising through new media has see our experiences of faith, leaves truly Pope affirmed. I

12 St Anthony Brief AFrom SMouth Aafricra BtISyHOrP W IoLLIfAM CSLAThTERaY, rOFMi,ty tells of the heroic sacrifice of Sr Anne Thole.

aturday night 21st March 2007 Trained as a teacher in government tragedy struck the mission of Maria schools, she joined the Franciscan Sisters Ratschitz, near Ladysmith, South to dedicate her life exclusively to God SASfrica. The Franciscan Nardini Sisters and to the poor. She was extremely have a novitiate here with a hospice for popular because of her outgoing joyful the dying. The Sisters were awakened in character and her total generosity to all the middle of the night by a nurse crying who needed her. that the hospice was on fire. The fire Retired Dundee Bishop, Michael was apparently caused by a patient’s Rowland, OFM, was awakened and called cigarette. The hospice was a double- to the scene. “By the time I got there, Sr Anne: storey stone building with a thatch roof. the building was blazing and we tried to In it were eight critically-ill patients put it out with garden hoses, but the “She only thought of others” unable to move. wooden staircase and thatch were a At her funeral Cardinal Napier, OFM, Sr Anne Thole, the Novice Mistress, column of fire,” he said. “Sister Anne called Sr Anne “a martyr of charity.” He was the first to arrive and rescued the was so brave,” the 78-year-old bishop stated: “She is a model for all young four ground-floor patients. Above, the said. “She gave her life for the patients. South Africans. At this crucial stage in its thatch was blazing fiercely. Acrid clouds She exuded tremendous joy and had a history, South Africa needs heroines who of dense smoke burned eyes; intense great love of her vocation. She played will witness to the Christian faith, to heat filled the burning building. In the the guitar well, and ran the choir and charity, and to service of others.” I scorching heat Sr Anne managed to get sang. All the novices loved her.” the first patient down the stairs. With the house an inferno, the Sisters raced out into the night. “I must try once brieff more,” Sr Anne shouted as she clambered SSTT AANNTTHHOONNYY brie up the burning stairs. As she hopped up € the timber stairs the thatched roof 1.00 IRISH FRANCISCAN MISSION MAGAZINE exploded down on her. She and the three d to patients burned to death in the fire. Just Get St Anthony brief delivere a few bones and a skull remained. your door or give the gift of an Sr Anne was 35 years of age. She was annual subscription to a loved from Empangeni in Zululand. Her parents one or friend. and grandmother were devastated by her Support the Irish Franciscans death. “She only thought of others,” said left their country for her mother. “Even as a child she could who have not do enough for people, especially the sake of the Gospel. poor people.” In the late 1980s the Franciscan iption to St Anthony brief (6 issues). Please send me a one-year subscr € € s - 15.00 Nardini Sisters had come to the old Ireland - 12.00 Britain - Stg£10.00 Oversea Mission of Maria Ratchitz to establish a [ ] Payment enclosed [ ] Please bill me home for the abandoned sick. They ...... established a training centre for the Name: ...... villages teaching families to care for the Address: ...... thousands who were dying from ...... Hiv/Aids. rite the name and address Sr Anne had been present at the If giving the subscription as a gift please w beatification of Blessed Paul Joseph of the recipient: ...... Nardini, founder of the Franciscan Name: ...... Sisters, in Germany in 2006. Blessed ...... Address: ......

Joseph Nardini had dedicated his life to ...... the care of the abandoned poor after the ...... wars that ravished Germany in the 19th Requested by: ...... chants’ Quay, Dublin 8. century. Like the founder, Sr Anne had Post to: Franciscan Missionary Union, 8 Mer spent her life working for the poor.

Aug/Sept 2008 13 FR SJOHNp FLoYNN twlritiesg thaht, witth thoe Onlymp iCcs apphroaichinng, ha uman rights and religious freedom in China are being closely examined. hina's human rights record is mentioned, the report also accused the obtain some positive action by China in coming in for close scrutiny in government of continuing its coercive the area of human rights before drop - the months preceding the policy on limiting births, resulting in ping the country from its list of worst sCCummer Olympics. The attention is not forced abortion and sterilisation in offenders. pleasing to Beijing authorities and the some cases. As is customary, China Regarding Tibet, hundreds of monks Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi recently reacted with hostility to the State protested in the streets of Lhasa, in told critics to back off. Some time Department criticism. The Chinese what was the biggest demonstration in before Yang's remarks the U.S. State government released its own report, almost two decades. The march took Department released its Country documenting what it considered to be place on the anniversary of a failed Reports on Human Rights Practices for human rights violations in the United anti-Chinese uprising in 1959. Protests 2007. There was some comfort for States. Human rights groups, however, continued in the following days in what China, as the country was removed wanted a tougher critique and were were the worst riots since 1989. from the list of the worst offenders. dismayed that the United States had Chinese state media reported ten The report, nevertheless, contained taken China off its worst offenders list. people dead during the protests, strong censure for China's record on although opposition groups claimed it human rights. The section devoted to Olympic Concerns was 30. China said that the government's record "We and others have documented a When it comes to the pre-Olympic "remained poor" in 2007 and controls sharp increase in human rights viola - situation, human rights groups are were further tightened in areas such as tions directly related to preparations protesting a recent surge in the arrest religious freedom in Tibet. for the Olympics," says Phelim Kine, of dissidents. They accuse authorities The State Department also accused Asia researcher with New York-based of trying to shut down any opposition authorities of tightening restrictions on Human Rights Watch. The Paris-based before the games start. In recent times freedom of speech and the press, and organisation, Reporters Without China has jailed 51 dissidents who had of increasing efforts to control use of Borders, also declared that they would carried out their protests via the inter - the internet. Among many other points have preferred the United States to net. Reporters Without Borders say that

14 St Anthony Brief last year authorities blocked more than mainly Protestant believers who gather Vatican," said Foreign Ministry 2,500 websites. Human Rights Watch in private dwellings and who do not spokesman Liu Jianchao during a news accused Chinese authorities of a follow government guidelines on reli - conference. No further details were "systematic crackdown on dissent." gious practice. The report observed given. "Beijing has given virtually no signs that that there was an increase in arrests of The South China Morning Post said it intends to keep the promises made to the leaders of these small groups. As that a Vatican-China affairs commission the international community in well, a number of Christian missionaries would shortly be holding a meeting to exchange for hosting the Games," said from overseas were arrested and discuss matters, including the theme of Sophie Richardson, Asia advocacy direc - expelled from China. According to a possible re-establishment of diplo - tor at Human Rights Watch. China Aid, 2007 saw the most extensive matic relations. The newspaper government effort against foreign Chris - commented that it would be the first Faith Flourishing tian missionaries for many years. major reassessment of Vatican policy Religious freedom is another contended following the publication last May of a area. A number of recent accounts Vatican Relations lengthy “letter” by the Pope to bishops, point to a surge in religious faith in Relations between China and the Vati - priests and the faithful in China. China. It has been reported that the can also remain problematic, particu - Hong Kong Cardinal, Joseph Zen, demand for copies of the Bible is soar - larly over issues such as the appoint - said that the August Olympics offer ing. The only authorised publisher in ment of bishops. It does seem, China an opportunity to improve its China for the Bible is Amity Printing, however, that efforts are under way to human rights record. While he did not which has just reached the milestone of explore ways of improving the situa - go into details, Cardinal Zen said he 50 million copies printed. Chinese lead - tion, even if it is difficult to obtain a hoped the Holy See and China would ers are opening up to religion, but still clear idea of what is happening. A visit soon enter a "new era" in their rela - wish to contain it within official guide - by Pope Benedict to China would be tions by means of some kind of a deal lines. A sign of official acceptance was deemed unthinkable by many given the to improve conditions for Catholics in the publishing of a front-page photo in lack of religious freedom. At the same the Asian country. It remains to be the party newspaper, People's Daily , of time, communications are improving on seen if China will take the opportunity Hu Jintao, head of the Chinese Commu - both sides. In fact, China recently made to open up a bit more, or if it will nist Party, shaking hands with Liu Bain - a "rare public admission" that it had continue to repress human rights and ian, General Secretary of the Chinese held talks with the Vatican. "The religious freedom. I Patriotic Catholic Association, at a New Chinese side has had contact with the Adapted from zenit.org Year's tea party. "We must take full advantage of the positive role that religious figures and believers among the masses can play in promoting economic and social development," Jia Qinglin, a member of the Polit - buro's Standing Committee, told a meeting of government- connected religious officials. Therefore the opening-up to religion is limited to the extent to which it can be of assistance in promoting government-deter - mined priorities. This view was confirmed in data released by the group China Aid Associa - tion. The organisation is devoted to promoting the plight of persecuted believers. According to its annual report for 2007, persecution increased last year, with an increase in arrests compared to 2006. The report concentrated on the situation of the so-called house Protests: a demonstration in support of Tibet churches, small groups of

Aug/Sept 2008 15 The Spirituality SPIRITUALITY of Imperfection FOR LIFE

ecently a friend gave me a book on Christ - ian spirituality entitled: Everybody’s Normal Till You Get To Know Them . Isn’t it FR FRANCIS COTTER, OFM, RtRrue! All of us carry baggage; all of us have faults and failings, inconsistencies and imperfections. looks at the Christian wisdom Our contemporary Western culture is obsessed with the holy grail of perfection whether it be that can help us when we physical, psychological, spiritual or relational. Anne Lamott writes that "perfection is the voice experience the pain of of the oppressor." This voice becomes most crip - pling when we internalise it so that it resounds our imperfect lives within, stirring up shame and self-contempt when - ever we fail to live up to certain standards. But, you might ask: surely the Gospel calls us to perfection? The quote from the Gospel: “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48) has indeed often been used to justify the pursuit of a state of perfection in the Christian life. The more accurate translation of the Greek teleios would be “fully complete” rather than “perfect.” The sentence is part of a passage where Jesus speaks about the greatness of God’s love, “letting His rain fall on just and unjust alike.” Taken in context the admonition is to become like our heavenly Father in His good - ness to all. This is confirmed by the parallel passage in the Gospel of Luke where we are exhorted: “Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate” (6:36). We are called to grow in love and goodness rather that scale some exalted heights of moral perfection. The English Dominican theologian, Simon Tugwell, wrote an excellent book called Ways of Imperfection . Basically, he warns us: be careful of talk about perfection in the Christian life, be cautious of examining your spiritual temperature too often and too closely, be wary of seeking high- octane mysticism. It can all be so very risky because our fervent devotion can so easily be a disguise for feeding our own ego. Our seeking to be faultless can be a way of building up the false self. If that is the case, when the crash comes, as it surely must, when one’s weaknesses surface only too strongly, then most probably they will not be dealt with in a healthy, life-giving way. Many Flaw in the oyster: birthplace of the pearl people react to the messy imperfection in their lives with a combination of denial, shame, blame, judgementalism, self-justification or pious clichés.

16 St Anthony Brief Wisdom from the Desert selves with others or even to be overly mercy, she grew to assign her imperfec - Thankfully in this reality of human anxious about their progress. They tions no more importance than they brokenness we have some sure spiritual believed that we can make genuine deserved. Thérèse came to grasp the guides. Such wisdom can come from progress through vigilance and trust in truth that God is not concerned about the people far removed from our time and God's grace, even though, paradoxically, limitations of being human, but about place. In fourth-century Egypt many left the more you mature the wiser you love. As she sought to open herself to behind the compromises of the Church become regarding your own fault lines. love, Thérèse was ruthless in recognising and the corruption of society to seek When we are empty and open we are religious and ethical vanity. She resisted Christ in the solitude of the remote ready to receive. They teach us: “It is the narcissism of self-absorption. To a desert. But the conclusions of their spiri - better to fail with humility than to novice who spoke of her desire for more tual experiment are not what you might succeed with pride.” “We are," strength with which "to practise virtue," expect. With a fascinating mixture of concluded Cassian, “not angels but only Thérèse answered: "And suppose God remarkable candour, gentle compassion human beings." Therefore, advises wishes to have you as feeble and power - and wry humour, they describe how, in Mother Syncletica, "we sail on in dark - less as a child? Do you think that would the nothingness of the desert, they ness," confident that our way is never be less worthy in God's eyes? Consent to experienced the dark tensions and strug - hidden from a God who is infinite in His stumble, or even to fall at every step, to gles of the heart. They sought wholeness understanding and unconditional in His bear your Cross feebly. Love your weak - but discovered brokenness. With no love. There is no despising or belittling ness. Your soul will draw more profit from distractions to escape to they came face of imperfections in self or others that than if, sustained by grace, you to face with their own weakness. In the because God does not belittle or despise. vigorously performed heroic deeds which words of St Anthony the Great, they These guides point us to the liberating would fill your soul with self-satisfaction advise us that we should "expect trials way of embracing brokenness without and pride." until your last breath." Their reports shame or embarrassment. Thérèse’s imperfections became an from the frontline of the spiritual battle essential part of her life with God. reveal a deep insight into human failure Love Your Weakness Instead of being obstacles, they were a and frailty. They tell stories that explain Another sure guide in the spirituality of privileged place to experience the power - us to ourselves. imperfection is closer to our own time. ful compassion of Christ. The flaw in the Despite their unrelenting realism St Thérèse of Lisieux was a woman who oyster is the birthplace of the pearl. To a about our foibles and weakness, the experienced profoundly her own power - soul fretful about constant falls, she said: desert mothers and fathers did not live lessness. Thérèse suffered not only great "If you can bear in peace the trial of like helpless or hopeless victims. Far physical pain during her short life, but being displeasing to yourself, you offer a from it. They exuded confidence in God's also mental anguish coming from her sweet shelter to Jesus. It is true that it unconditional love, exhibited tenderness sensitive personality. She could so easily hurts you to find yourself thrust outside and patience toward one another and to have ended up an obsessed neurotic. the door of your own self. Fear not; the their own selves, steadfastly avoided the Persistent experiences of her weakness poorer you become, the more Jesus will faintest hint of judgementalism, put her in the position either to despair love you." That is — the more we are rejected every manifestation of extrem - of holiness or to surrender herself aware of our need, the more receptive ist zeal, and chose not to compare them - entirely to the Lord. In the light of God’s we are to a love that is eternally present.

Empty and open: ready to receive During Thérèse’s last days, her sister be conscious of being a frail and weak circumstance (the problem). Rather, heal - Pauline complained: “Alas, I'll have noth - man, since his strength is frail and weak, ing requires a change in focus away from a ing to offer to God when I die; my hands constantly needing purification and view that demands changing of the circum - will be empty, and this saddens me very conversion.” Just as well for him and for stance or that the circumstance be much." Thérèse replied that, even if she us! If the Pope was perfect he would not removed. Healing requires a change in herself “had accomplished all the works need the mercy of Christ; if he had no perspective that embraces the circum - of St Paul, I would still believe myself to sins and failings he would have nothing to stance from another inner source.” be a ‘useless servant.’ But it is precisely say to us who struggle. The response of A spirituality of imperfection is not this that makes up my joy, for having the Risen Christ to Paul, who had prayed “anything goes" or “what you see is what nothing, I shall receive everything from to be freed of the “thorn” in his flesh, is you get." Rather, it is the simple admission God." She loved the Gospel story of the repeated to us all: “My power is made that in spite of our best efforts, we all fall workers in the vineyard who begin at the perfect in your weakness.” Grasping this short. But as long as the heart is intent on twelfth hour and yet receive the same divine truth, Paul could then proclaim: “I loving, our failures are not the issue. True reward as the others who had worked all will rejoice in my weaknesses… in order healing comes, not from redefining the goal day. Like the good thief and the Holy to feel the protection of Christ’s power to allow us to declare ourselves perfect, Innocents, Thérèse would steal Heaven. over me. For when I am weak then I am but from a compassionate, grace-filled On her death bed, in a time of intense strong” — strong in the Lord (2 Corinthi - vision of life in which imperfections can be spiritual darkness, she insisted: “Jesus ans 12:9,10). The wisdom from the lived with — even as we seek to grow and wants to give us His Heaven out of pure centuries tells us: don’t run from your deepen. Not to know or need God and His grace." brokenness, don’t flee the tensions and abiding mercy, because of our imagined paradoxes of your life; don’t hide the perfection, would be the worst of fates. Living with Imperfections imperfections from yourself or God. The Russian Orthodox Bishop, Anthony At the heart of the Easter Vigil the The Harvard psychologist, Charles Bloom, living in London, used to be Church sings in the Exultet , of felix Verge, speaks of the difference between approached regularly by a woman who culpa . “Oh happy fault! Oh necessary sin cure and healing. He points out: “Cure would solemnly inform him of her steady of Adam that gained for us so great a seeks change at the level of the problem. progress to perfection. One day she joyfully Redeemer.” We actually celebrate the Healing is a change of perception which told him: “I now have only one fault left.” light that has come as a result of the can only happen from the depth of the “For God’s sake,” he earnestly replied, primordial Fall. In his very first homily as divine self and it comes as gift, as grace. “hang on to that one with all your soul!” I Pope, Benedict XVI said: “The Pope must It is not necessarily a change in the [email protected]

Photo: Connacht Tribune

Singing in the rain: the Galway fraternity (Peter, Francis, Colin, Hugh, Gabriel, Padraig) were joined by the Mayor of Galway City, Padraig Conneely, at the recent launch of the Abbey Roof Appeal.

18 St Anthony Brief Adare friary beside the Maigue River, Co Limerick.

Photo: Fr Richard OʼCallaghan, OFM A Future of Peace

“God has plans for a future of peace for you, not of misfortune; God wants to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). Today, a great many people are longing for a future of peace, for humanity to be freed from threats of violence. If some are gripped by worry about the future and find themselves at a standstill, there are also young people all over the world who are inventive and creative. They know that God did not create us to be passive. For them, life is not subject to a blind destiny.And so they are searching, with their whole soul, to prepare a future of peace and not of misfortune. More than they realise, they are already making of their lives a light that shines around them. On some summer evenings in Taizé, under a sky laden with stars, we can hear the young people through our open windows. We are constantly astonished that there are so many of them. They search; they pray. And we say to ourselves: their aspirations to peace and trust are like these stars, points of lights that shine in the night. We live at a time when many people are asking: what is faith? Faith is a simple trust in God, an indispensable surge of trusting, undertaken countless times over in the course of our life. All of us can have doubts. They are nothing to worry about. Our deepest desire is to listen to Christ who whispers in our hearts: “Do you have hesitations? Don’t worry; the Holy Spirit remains with you always.” – Br Roger of Taizé, 2005

Aug/Sept 2008 19 FR PAT CONLAN, OFM, remembers John XXIII, a man with a Franciscan heart, 50 years after his election as Pope.

Good Pope John: Franciscan

ifty years ago I was a month into locally and at the minor seminTary in erVtarioius aPostirngs y my Franciscan novitiate in Killar - Bergamo before going to study for the Fr Roncalli’s fame was growing. He was ney when a solemn-faced Novice priesthood at the major seminary in called to Rome in 1921 to serve in the MFFaster called us together and informed 1895. His Franciscan life began when he Congregation of Propaganda Fide and us that Pope Pius XII was dead. This was was received into the Third Order of was appointed a Professor in the Lateran before the age of television so we got Saint Francis on 1st March 1896. He University in Rome in November 1924. special permission to listen to his obse - remained a Franciscan at heart. He Then in March 1925 he was appointed quies on the radio. My impression of regarded his years of priesthood as Apostolic Visitor in Bulgaria and conse - him came from photos or occasional having been under the influence of St crated titular Archbishop of Areopolis. newsreels shown in the cinema. He Francis. On another occasion he Resident in Sofia, he was in contact with seemed a solemn intellectual far recalled the wonderful simplicity of the many of the Unitarian and Eastern removed from contact with ordinary Little Flowers of Saint Francis , a book churches and became interested in people. Three weeks later we were told he knew well and enjoyed. ecumenism. His commitment to St Fran - about the election of Pope John XXIII. The young seminarian went on cis was still there. He did his retreat in The experts labelled him as a caretaker pilgrimage to Rome and during the 1931 with the Conventual Franciscans in Pope. Just short of his seventy-seventh Holy Year in 1900. The following year he Istanbul and, in 1933, with the Capuchins birthday, he would look after the began theological studies at the Apol - in Sofia. Church for a few years until a younger linare in Rome, receiving his doctorate Mgr Roncalli was promoted to Apos - and more dynamic Pope would be in 1904. His examiner was Professor tolic Administrator of the Apostolic elected. Five years later I was a student Eugenio Pacelli, later Pope Pius XII. His Vicariate of Istanbul in 1934 with the in Leuven. The exams were almost over. studies were interrupted while he did title of Archbishop of Mesembria. His The group ahead of me was packing for his year’s military service in Bergamo. area of responsibility covered Greece Rome. They were anxious to get there Fr Roncalli was ordained in August 1904. and Asia Minor as well as Turkey. His before Good Pope John died. He had He continued his studies until called to father died in 1935 and his mother in become that wonderful man who serve as secretary to Mgr Radini, the 1939. He served in Istanbul during World changed the Church radically in a few new Bishop of Bergamo, early in 1905. War II and worked to prevent the depor - short years. With his smile and obvious He taught Church history in the semi - tation of Jews after the German occu - empathy with people, millions had nary in Bergamo and met the future pation of Greece. Around this time he come to love him. Television had arrived Pope Pius XI. With Bishop Radini he was was recorded as saying that everything and I saw his funeral in detail. in Padua, home of Saint Anthony, for sings of the glory of the Creator and the celebrations in 1911. He said Mass in beauty of His work, while some men A True Franciscan the Capuchin church while attending were intent solely on destroying it and I discovered that Good Pope John was a the 23rd International Eucharistic on casting the world into misery — a true Franciscan. Angelo Giuseppe Congress in Vienna in 1912. Recalled to truly Franciscan sentiment. Appointed Roncalli was born in 1881 in Sotto il military service in 1915, he organised Apostolic Nuncio in France in December Monte, not far from Bergamo, in the religious services for the troops and was 1944, Mgr Roncalli dealt tactfully and foothills of the Alps. The third of thir - chaplain in the military hospital in Berg - firmly with problems arising from the teen children, his parents were small amo. At the end of World War I he was war. He organised theology courses for farmers who eked out a living from appointed Spiritual Director of the semi - German seminarians who were prison - their tiny property. He was educated nary in Bergamo. ers-of-war in France. He also took an

20 St Anthony Brief inter est in the first experiments with believing the eyes, interpreting every - Franciscan , particularly Leo XIII, worker-priests. thing in the light of goodness, rejoicing another tertiary. He had been delighted to Mgr Roncalli agreed to a request by in the good rather than being upset canonise the simple Franciscan brother, Pius XII, late in 1952, that he would unduly with the vision of evil and finally Charles of Sezze, the previous Sunday. become of Venice when the looking to the future. He also had a good post became vacant. He was created a sense of humour. Once the matron of a Second Vatican Council cardinal in January 1953 and received his hospital in Rome introduced herself as On 1st August he issued his second red biretta from the President of the the of the Holy Spirit (the name encyclical for the centenary of the death French Republic. Cardinal Roncalli of the hospital) to which he replied that of the Franciscan tertiary and pastorally- became known for his pastoral zeal, she was lucky, since he was only the effective priest, the Curé d’Ars. A few informality and opposition to Communist Vicar of Christ! days later Pope John visited the hermitage manoeuvres. On coming to Venice, he Pope John celebrated the 750th of St Francis at Bellegra on the Albian spoke of his humble roots, being brought anniversary of the Franciscan Rule at the Hills. During a talk on radio on 11th up in a contented and blessed poverty. Lateran Basilica on 16th April 1959. He September 1962, as preparations for the This “simplicity of life had few demands, introduced himself to the friars as Council were well under way, he spoke of protected the flowering of the “the Church of the poor,” a really most noble lofty virtues, and Franciscan image that shocked prepared one for the higher things many older theologians. He under - of life.” His background enabled took a pilgrimage by train to Loreto him to see things quickly and and Assisi on 4th October 1962, the clearly, with a loving disposition feast of St Francis, in preparation towards people that induced him for the opening of Vatican II on to do good to all. What could be 11th October 1962. This was the more Franciscan! day of my first flight, from Dublin to Brussels, and I remember the The People’s Pope rush to get to St Anthony’s College Pius XII died on 9th October 1958. in Leuven in time to see the cere - Nineteen days later Archbishop mony on television. His health was Roncalli became Pope John XXIII. It failing but he followed the Council soon became obvious that he was a debates and on one famous occa - people’s Pope, radiating friendship sion intervened decisively. The and understanding. What had not first session of the Council closed been anticipated was an announce - on 8th December. Pope John was ment, two months into his papacy, awarded the Balzan International that he would hold a Synod of the Peace Prize on 1st March 1963, Diocese of Rome, summon a Council partially for his efforts at defus - of the Universal Church and revise ing the Cuban Missile Crisis. His the Code of Canon Law. He attrib - final encyclical, Pacem in Terris uted his decision on the Council to a (Peace on Earth) marked a return sudden inspiration of the Holy Spirit. He Renewal: to a Franciscan theme when it appeared saw it as a new Pentecost that would on 11th April 1963. Pope John died in the regenerate the Church and open it Second Vatican Council evening of 3rd June 1963. towards the reunion of the churches of Joseph, your brother. Recalling his recep - Good Pope John was warm-hearted East and West. He talked of throwing tion into the Third Order, he talked of it and simple with people. Yet he was natu - open the windows of the Vatican and as a moment of special grace, since he rally shrewd with a tremendous sense of letting a fresh wind blow in. received the tonsure and officially humour that hid his erudition. In the Like a true follower of Francis, Pope became a cleric some weeks later. He words of Archbishop Heenan of Westmin - John had a hunger for people. He slipped thanked God for the little-understood but ster, his great achievement was “to teach out of the Vatican regularly to meet happy gift of simplicity that he received the world of the twentieth century how those in need. He visited hospitals, from St Francis. He also spoke of the small is hatred and how great is love.” orphanages, prisons, schools and influence he felt in his youth from the These were the sentiments of a real parishes. As Pope he hated having to eat friars at Baccanello. It was the first reli - follower of St . Because on his own, claiming that it made him gious house that he experienced. Simple he was a Franciscan tertiary, the cause feel like a schoolboy who was being honest friars lived there who radiated the for his beatification was put in the hands punished. Reflecting a Franciscan atti - spirit of Francis as they travelled through of the Franciscan Postulator General. tude towards nature, he said that if God the countryside meeting people while on Pope John Paul II beatified Good Pope created shade, it was so that the light the quest, going from home to home John along with Pope Pius IX on 3rd might stand out the better. He asking support from the people. Pope September 2000. His feast is celebrated summarised his philosophy of life as John went on to list himself among the 11th October. I

Aug/Sept 2008 21 Farewell to Limerick "Steep decline in numbers" means the Fran - ciscans have made "a painful decision" to leave their Henry Street church, bringing to News from an end over 700 years of tradition in the city. “However we are greatly comforted in around the . . . the knowledge that a Franciscan presence will remain in the area in the form of the members of the , the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary and the Franciscan World newly-arrived Friars of the Renewal in Moyross,” said Fr Joe McMahon, Secretary of the Province. The last Mass, a leave-taking ceremony, took place in a packed church on 13th June, the feast of St Anthony. The Franciscans will make no financial gain through the disposal of the Order's prime site on Henry Street. It is being held in trust for the use of the theology department at Mary Immaculate College that already works closely with the Benedictines, the Domini - cans and the Redemptorists in Limerick. Speaking at the farewell Mass, the Bishop of Limerick, Donal Murray, said the Francis - cans’ generous gift of the property meant the Order would continue to serve the faith community in Limerick long after their phys - ical presence there had ceased. “The prop - erty will be held by the Bonaventure Trust which has been named after the saint who was perhaps the greatest of the Franciscan theologians,” explained Bishop Murray. “In a world of such rapid change and new chal - lenges, this gift will serve a vital purpose,” he added. It has also been confirmed that a hall to the rear of the premises is being passed on to its current occupants, the Bedford Row Family Project, which works with prisoners and their families.

TOP PHOTO: Brothers in arms: Frs Hugh McKenna (Provincial Vicar), Caoimhín Ó Laoide (Provincial Minister) and Pat McSweeny at the Provincial Chapter in Gormanston College held in June. WE ARE LOOKING FOR PROMOTERS OF OUR MONTHLY DRAW Some 95 friars gathered for an We are looking for supporters of our mission who will take one book of tickets a month. inspirational week on the theme: Please help us. Buy a book yourself. Write for a book to sell to your friends. The Lord Speaks To Us On The Road. Will you buy or sell for us: € € € Book of 20 Tickets = 16.00. Return 10.00; keep 6.00. Thank you for supporting us BOTTOM PHOTO: in all the ways you do already. Our Address is: 8 Merchants Quay, Dublin 8. Most welcome visitors: Frs Emmanuel Musara (Custos) and Hosea Musengiwa attended the Please send me ...... Books for Next Draw Chapter representing the friars in Name: ...... Zimbabwe. They gave a moving report on the present situation Address: ...... there and on the suffering of the ...... Zimbabwean people. They asked Phone No: ...... for continuing prayer and support in the search for justice.

22 St Anthony Brief AA YYeeaarr ooff JJuubbiillTheeis yeeear thses !! Poor Clares in the Ennis monastery celebrate 50 years since their foundation, along with other jubilees.

A family spirit: the Ennis community

ast February the oldest member the Hours and in contemplation, with human, no pain or joy or sorrow that of our community, Sr Angela the Eucharist as the centre of our day. does not find an echo in our hearts. We Whelan, celebrated sixty years of We share with our Sisters in commu - hold it all before the Lord in prayer. We LpLrofessed life in our Order. In Septem - nity a family spirit of joy, mutual are very closely integrated with the ber, Sr Leo Murran will celebrate encouragement and support. We each local community here in Ennis. We are twenty-five years of Profession in this take responsibility for creating and greatly supported by the Bishop, the community. Then in October, the Poor maintaining an atmosphere in which the friars, the diocesan clergy and all the Clare community will celebrate 50 Sisters can best respond to their own religious and people of the diocese. We years of presence here in Ennis. Our call to holiness. pray that our community will always be hope and prayer is that we might be We dedicate our life to God through a beacon of hope and love for all who blessed in this very special year with the vows of Poverty, Chastity, Obedi - come to our monastery for the support some new vocations to our community. ence and Enclosure, and this deter - of our prayers. May the Spirit of St Our monastery here in Ennis was mines the nature of our work. Sts Fran - Clare, which so inspired Sister Angela, founded on 7th October 1958 but the cis and Clare saw work as a gift and Sister Leo and the Poor Care community story began much earlier. In 1930 a called it “a grace.” With the help of in Ennis and indeed all over the world, young priest from Co Clare, Fr Joseph the Lord we strive to respond to this be vibrant, and inspire many young Rodgers, said Mass in the Poor Clare grace and so return to Him an increase women to follow our way of life. Monastery in Cork. While having break - of His talents. We find joy in the work If you would like more information fast afterwards in the parlour, he had a we do no matter how humble. Indeed about the Sisters and their way of life conversation with one of the Sisters, for us it is “joyful penance.” you are welcome to visit the during which she said: "Father you will We live in cloister so that we can Monastery in St Francis Street, Ennis be responsible for bringing the Poor dedicate ourselves to God in a spirit or ring: 065-6821840 and ask to speak Clares to the Diocese of Killaloe." That that is free. There is nothing truly to Mother Abbess. I turned out to be prophetic for in 1957 Joseph Rodgers, the then Bishop of Killaloe, laid the foundation stone for our monastery. He afterwards remarked: "When Mother Abbess in Cork wrote to me regarding the new founda - tion, I recalled the conversation and felt it was God's way of bringing the Poor Clares to Ennis." Jubilee girl: We are a community of thirteen Sr Angela Sisters and we come from various parts of Ireland. We have all put down strong celebrates roots in Clare and regard it as home. 60 years We find our joy in living the Gospel in the spirit of Francis and . We are a voice before the Father for all the people of God, adoring Him and giving thanks. We spend our time in union with God through the Liturgy of

Aug/Sept 2008 23 THINK Befriending the Guilty AGAIN

FR KIERAN CRONIN, OFM, ponders how Christians should relate to those guilty of crime

ne of the most distinctive A New Approach to Holiness life , show little or no respect for the aspects of Our Lord’s public It may well be the case that the laws of God. ministry is His table fellowship befriending of sinners by Jesus became What is really shocking is that Jesus, OwOith unsavoury characters. In the ninth a major part of the case against Him, in His ministry, is suggesting a new vision chapter of the Gospel of Matthew we leading to His crucifixion. After all, of holiness. It is no longer a matter of read about the call of the tax collector everyone at that time knew that the separation from those who sin, but one Levi , who will become the apostle essence of holiness involves separation of involvement with them, a reaching out Matthew , followed by these words: “And from evil, and especially from those to the spiritually and morally unhealthy as He sat at table in the house, behold, who live a sinful lifestyle. God, the with the offer of healing. Thus, in the many tax collectors and sinners came Holy One, while merciful in principle, Gospel passage with which we began, and sat down with Jesus and His disci - maintains a radical distance between Jesus implies that he comes as a healer ples. And, when the Pharisees saw this, the sinner and Himself. Remember of souls: “Those who are well have no they said to His disciples, ‘Why does your Moses and the story of the Burning need of a physician, but those who are teacher eat with tax collectors and Bush, where the voice of God booms sick… For I came not to call the right - sinners?’” The religious people of the out: “Remove your shoes, for this is eous, but sinners .” The initiative lies time were truly shocked that a man with holy ground.” Now if Jesus is a great with Jesus. Throughout the Gospels He is a reputation for holiness should not only prophet or, indeed, the Messiah , we the one who actively seeks out those who socialise with public sinners but even go would expect Him to adhere to this have sinned , like the shepherd seeking so far as to choose one, Matthew, to be a tradition. He should not be “partying” the sheep that is lost. And , in so far as member of His inner group of disciples. with disreputable people who , in daily Jesus is the perfect image of God , we

24 St Anthony Brief must now see God in this light. But where does this leave us, the followers of Jesus, Forgiveness: today? Are we being called to be friends freeing from shame of the equivalent of the tax collectors and sinners in our society in imitation of Christ? Would this include hardened crimi - nals, people who act in cruel and vicious ways with no concern for the feelings of their victims? Is this too much to expect of the average believer?

The Struggle to Follow Christ It is hard to discern how the disciple of Christ might emulate the Lord in befriending those guilty of crime and sin. True enough , we have His teaching to forgive others , but is there any explicit command to associate with dangerous people, those who laugh at the very idea of conversion? Would not this bad company be a danger to our own moral welfare, a corrupting influence? Maybe it was appropriate for Jesus to be friendly with sinners due to the strength of His character, and yet not appropriate for most of us who find ourselves in a much weaker position morally speaking ? My impression of the Church tradition in the days of its first fervour is that any idea of imitating the Lord’s attitude in this matter hardly arises. The early Christian community saw itself as basically finished with serious sin due to the comes the monastic tradition which the priest on a radio show attempting to power of grace won by the death and stresses separation from the world and defend his action along the lines of the resurrection of Jesus and the sending of its temptations. Monasteries were built Gospel example of Jesus befriending the Holy Spirit. Of course, there were in remote places and monks were meant sinners. I was shocked to hear a number the usual squabbles between apostles as to stay put, not to wander around in the of people phoning in to launch personal there would be in any family. There is world. People must come to them, not attacks on this man for adopting such a much ethical teaching in the epistles of the other way round . No wonder the position. “How dare he take the side of the New Testament which assumes a development of a new form of religious the rapist? ” they cried out. Is this not a degree of moral imperfection, especially life with the friars of St Francis and St betrayal of the victim? I can’t remember among recent converts from paganism. Dominic caused such a stir in traditional anyone considering the Gospel argument But usually this did not amount to seri - Church circles . Yet their involvement in of forgiving the sinner being at all rele - ous sin. St John in one place suggests the world was precisely a return to the vant to the situation, even though the that if a Christian sins mortally, there is Gospel and the example of Christ in people giving their opinion appeared to no chance of forgiveness. St Paul is not seeking out sinners. It is, of course, a be church-goers! Was the priest correct as strict, but he holds that Church risky matter to make the world your in his viewpoint and in his decision to members who sin grievously should be cloister, but the call of Christ to a holi - intervene or was he naïve and misled? excommunicated from the community. I ness of involvement in a morally ambigu - In my opinion we need to adopt a find it difficult to think of any passage in ous world is well worth the risk. common sense approach to issues of this the epistles where the faithful are kind and to avoid any tendency to encouraged to imitate the table-fellow - The Priest and the Rapist indulge in a naïve sentimentality. For ship of Jesus with sinners. The practical aspect of this discussion example, we need to be prudent and Then , when we consider the begin - about the possibility of befriending the careful when we find ourselves getting nings of religious life in the Church , it guilty finds a dramatic expression in a involved with certain types of people. looks as if the Old Testament view of recent controversy in Dublin where a The police officer , or the prison officer , holiness is becoming dominant again. priest wrote a letter to a judge giving a or the judge , are not called to befriend The first monks were the Desert Fathers character reference for a young man he people charged with , and guilty of , of Egypt who fled the moral corruption knew who had committed rape. When crime. Their role demands a professional of the cities of their day to be alone this came into the public domain there distance. The relationship at an official with God in the wilderness. From this was a very strong reaction , and I heard level must be one of respect for their

Aug/Sept 2008 25 basic rights, not one of affectionate sion for the victim and for the perpetra - needs to be confronted if we are to live friendship. The Christian judge has the tor must be equal. In fact, it is right and the Gospel in a radical way. Perhaps then obligation to follow the law in finding a proper that the victims of sin should only a few of Christ’s disciples receive a defendant guilty or innocent and must come first in terms of our concern. special call to minister to those guilty of act impartially towards all in the court. However, this does not mean that the serious offences against their fellow It is not his or her business as a judge to sinner merits no compassion whatever. human beings. I am thinking here of forgive. The role of legal justice must be The harsh attitude displayed by those people like Sr Helen Prejean who has kept distinct from the moral dimension who criticised the priest on the radio dedicated much of her life to caring for of mercy and forgiveness. And, note that programme for his attitude towards the prisoners on death row in the U.S., and merciful forgiveness does not exclude rapist is on a par with the self righteous agitating against the death penalty. For punishment for a crime or sin commit - perspective of the Pharisees. the majority of us who bear the name ted. After all, when we go to confession At the same time, it is not obvious “Christian”, however, the minimum to be to seek forgiveness for our sins we must that the priest acted wisely in this case. expected is a humble recognition of our be willing to accept the penance given The challenge to support those who sin is own faults, recalling the words of Jesus by the priest in atonement for our a general obligation which can be carried about first taking the plank out of one’s wrong-doing: the more serious the sin, out in various ways, not all of which are own eye, and a serious attempt to the heavier the penance. Something equally appropriate. There may have reserve at least some compassion for evil similar applies in the criminal sphere – been other , better , ways to support the doers. It is comparatively easy to have society’s “forgiveness” of the criminal young man and his family in this case sympathy for the victims of crime — the depends on his or her acceptance of due instead of trying to influence the legal great challenge is to extend even a mini - punishment for the crime committed. process. However, we may still be grate - mum concern towards the criminal. We should be aware of our weak - ful to this priest for raising an issue that Condemn not lest you be condemned. I nesses and of those around us when we come close to people involved in sinful activities. The traditional doctrine of NATIONAL avoiding bad company and occasions of FRANCISCAN 10 DAY PILGRIMAGE sin retains a certain value. A recovering TO alcoholic may have to avoid old compan - ions who have maintained bad habits. A parent may have to take a strict line with a son or daughter who gets into bad company. A young person should be care - ful of using the example of Jesus being a 3rd ~ 12th November 2008 friend of tax collectors and sinners to justify going around with drug pushers and street thugs. There is no obligation on the ordinary Christian to hang around the law courts seeking out violent crimi - nals in order to befriend them.

No Detailed Instructions The question of the proper relationship between a follower of Jesus and those who lead a seriously sinful existence is complex and the Gospel does not provide detailed instructions on how we should conduct ourselves in each case. For example, what should we do if a person who is already a friend commits some terrible crime? Should we abandon him or her as unworthy of our concern? Should the family of a murderer or rapist cut off all links with their kin? The closer we are to those who act in an evil €1,215 p.p.s. fully including taxes and h/b manner the more likely it will be that we retain some sympathy for them given our National Organiser: Fr. Bernard Jones, O.F.M. understanding of their background and our attachment to them. But such sympathy should not blind us to the pain caused to the victim. There is nothing in the Gospel to suggest that our compas -

26 St Anthony Brief FAITH IN The Cry of the Earth ACTION

Overview FR GEARÓID Ó CONAIRE, OFM, By reading this letter reflectively, available online at: examines the pastoral letter of the http://omiusajpic.org/files/2008/06/ thecryoftheearthpastoralletter Irish Bishops on climate change may2408.doc , you will get a very good understanding of the very complex issue of climate change and global warming. The classical See — Judge — Act method is used. We are given a synopsis of the latest scientific informa - tion, as presented in a series of recent reports by the Fourth Intergovernmen - tal Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), whose membership comprises more than 2,000 scientists from around the world. This urgent “sign of the times” is looked at through the prism of Sacred Scripture and Catholic Social Teachings, as expressed by recent pontifical statements and other Church documents. Although the nature of the letter does not permit detailed practi - ope Benedict XVI in one of his picture of the present situation regard - cal suggestions regarding what Catholics many references to creation, ing the deterioration of life supporting can do individually and collectively, it talks about a need for our ecosystems, ends with a note of hope. does encourage and challenge us all to P“Pobedience to the voice of the earth” There is still time, according to the reduce our carbon footprint by reflect - (24 th July 2007). Similar sentiments Bishops, for our generations to do ing on our lifestyle. were expressed a few months later by something to avoid some of the worst Cardinal Sean Brady during his Christ - predicted consequences of climate The Science of Climate Change mas message in 2007, capturing the change for future generations if we As I write this article from Rome, I read urgency for all men and women of good take individual and collective actions to about the latest report from the will to take the climate change ques - reduce greenhouse gases in the atmos - National Snow and Ice Data Centre, tion seriously. He commented that chil - phere to a sustainable level. USA, in which scientists have radically dren’s future “is by no means certain I propose to share with you some of revised a previous 2001 IPCC prediction unless we alter our behaviour towards the central ideas enunciated in the that the North Pole would be the environment as a matter of pastoral letter and conclude by fleshing completely free of ice by 2090, to the urgency. The simplicity of the stable out a suggestion from the letter on how frightening prospect of it happening into which the Son of God was born you might reduce your carbon foot - between 2015 and 2030. To put this in should challenge us all to a lifestyle print. The document encourages every context in 1950 the North Pole was which is more sustainable. ” He is Catholic institution, diocese, parish and totally covered by ice! I am sure many quoted near the end of a very well school (and friary) to measure their of you have seen Al Gore’s documentary written, informative and challenging current carbon footprint during 2008 entitled An Inconvenient Truth in which pastoral letter, entitled The Cry of the and then devise ways to reduce their he gives a very visual and succinct Earth, issued by the Irish Episcopal use of carbon by 3% per annum, as explanation of the climate change Conference on 3rd June 2008. The envisaged in the Programme for the question. If you have not seen it, I document, as well as giving a clear Irish government. advise you to rent a copy at your local

Aug/Sept 2008 27 that “ between 1990 and 2003, it had increased by 130%. The average in the rest of Europe was 23%.” In the short term, climate change might be beneficial for Ireland, but in the long term it will also spell disaster. So, concern for future generations and for other species, as part of a Christian moral imperative, calls for immediate responses. There will be an increase in precipitation in winter, especially in the West and North West, with hotter and drier summers in the South, putting strain on local authorities to supply water. Average July temperatures in the central midlands are predicted to be 24.5 oC. What about our national symbol? No, not the shamrock, but the “spud”? The letter makes references to predictions that some parts of the country will be too wet, while others will be too dry to grow potatoes, although maize will benefit in the short term.

Faith Response The Letter gives a taste of the rich creation biblical tradition. Unfortu - nately, as Pope Benedict has noted, the creation account has not been suffi - ciently emphasised in theological reflections over the centuries. It is fair At risk: polar ice-cap is shrinking rapidly to say that creation as a theme has been ignored to a large extent, video store. I don’t propose to bore you tion, and the increased amount of although this is not expressed in the with the science, but would encourage greenhouse gases — going from 280 Letter. A good explanation is given you to get to know a little about it in parts per million (ppm) to 387 ppm — concerning the often misunderstood order to help your family and neigh - heat is being trapped in the atmosphere command given to our first parents to bours appreciate what all the hype is and causing the global temperature to “conquer the earth” as expressed in the about. Hopefully, you will also be hear - rise by 0.7 oC. If the consequences of first chapter of the Bible (Genesis 1: ing more frequent references in homi - such a relatively small rise in global 26-28). Humanity’s relationship with lies and other religious moments about temperature is causing major environ - creation must be modelled on the the integrity of creation. It is vital that mental devastation, such as melting compassionate Kingship of Yahweh as such issues are integrated into and ice, rising sea levels (many island “servant,” whose preferential option understood as fundamentally “spiritual nations are disappearing), more was the poor, lived out by Jesus Christ. issues” because the quality of human prolonged drought (by 2080 up to 3 Interestingly, the Covenant made by life, not to mention the existence of billion people could face water short - God with Noah after the flood included other species, depends proportionately age), floods (permanently displacing up “every living creature” and not just on the quality of our ecosystems, many to 100 million people), more intense humans (Genesis 9:10). of which are being poisoned. The and frequent storms, species extinction The Letter refers to the link central message of the Gospel is that (up to a million are in danger), food between the Eucharist and our faith in Jesus came so that “we might have life shortage, etc., what will it be like if the Blessed Trinity, from whom the and have it to the full” (John 10:10). greenhouse gases continue to rise by 2 “good” universe has emerged, as impor - The present atmospheric tempera - ppm each year, as is now the case? tant sources of reflection in helping us ture is 15 oC, making it conducive to Many countries, including Ireland, are respond to the environmental crisis. As life. We need greenhouse gases, such as failing to reduce their greenhouse gas we go in peace to love and serve the carbon dioxide and methane to keep emissions, as undertaken when we Lord, how often do we realise that “as the planet warm, but with the signed the Kyoto Protocol. According to the bread and wine is transformed into increased use of fossil fuels (oil, coal the Bishops’ letter, the principal reason the Body and Blood of Christ for our and gas), since the industrial revolu - in Ireland is transport emissions. It says nourishment we are challenged to

28 St Anthony Brief promote this harmony between humans  Calculate how much fuel you use for are putting into practice Pope John and the rest of creation by the way we transportation (including motor Paul’s 2001 appeal for an “ecological live our lives”? We are called to extend vehicles and air travel). conversion.” In his 1st January 1990 the free gift of divine love, poured out To calculate a baseline do the document, the Pope linked affluence by the Trinity, to the whole of creation. following: and consumerism with ecological The very fact that Jesus Christ has  Collect data from all utility devastation and human deprivation. become a human person makes all meters/utility bills. “Modern society will find no solution matter sacred! The world is a sacred  Total the mileage recorded by vehi - to the ecological problem unless it place. Finally, through the resurrection cles, including air transport. takes a serious look at its lifestyle. In “all matter is transformed and taken up  Convert the fuel, electricity and many parts of the world society is into the life of the Trinity .” So, the transport consumption figures to given to instant gratification and human person is not the only one wait - CO 2 by using publicly available tools consumerism while remaining indiffer - ing the resurrection. The whole of (internet/local government and non- ent to the damage which these cause… creation will be brought back to God on governmental organisations, etc). If an appreciation of the value of the the last day. This is why Christians 2. Set an annual reductions target — human person and human life is lack - continue to hope. There is a purpose recommendation is 3% per year until ing, we will also lose interest in others and a final destination for the universe, 2010. and the earth itself. Simplicity, moder - but our obstinacy is hindering the 3. Identify areas for improvement. ation and discipline, as well as a spirit process. 4. Do something… of sacrifice, must become part of The Letter goes on to outline why everyday life, lest all suffer the nega - the climate change question is a moral Conclusion: tive consequence of the careless habits question by examining some of the When we make an effort to do some - of a few .“ I core Catholic Social Teaching principles thing to change the way we live and [email protected] that need to enlighten our way of the impact we have on our planet we living and doing business such as: the common good, subsidiarity, solidarity, distributive justice and intergenera - tional justice. I encourage you to read the Letter for greater clarification on these principles.

Ecological Footprint A report published by the World Wildlife Fund (2006) believes that the earth’s resources are being used faster than they can be replaced. The report compiles two indicators of the earth’s well-being. It claims that the impact by humanity on the planet has more than tripled since 1961 and that the “ecological footprint” — the demand people place on the natural world — exceeds the world’s ability to regener - ate by 25%. In other words, “humanity is living off its ecological credit card.” In a future article I will share ideas on how we can walk more lightly on mother earth. For now, I would like to focus on the suggestion made by the Bishops to reduce this footprint by 3% per year.

4 Step Process to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint: 1. Establish a baseline of how much carbon you emit as a family (direct emissions). How?  Calculate how much fuel you use in the house — including gas, coal, Shop ‘til you drop: a need to review our lifestyle electricity, diesel etc.

Aug/Sept 2008 29 MMiissssiioonn DDiiggeesstt

SScchhooooll DDaayyss

The children and teachers: Mt St Mary’s Mission, Wedza, Zimbabwe.

30 St Anthony Brief Prayer and Mission

Prayer in action: Franciscan school in Kazakhstan

he synthesis that is to be worked out active commitment to justice and peace, to in our lives is prayer in action, in the the liberation of the poor from their state of midst of action, and through action. unjust oppression, to the formation of an TITt is not enough to pray in one moment and Asian, an African, a Latin American, a North to act in the next, nor is it sufficient to American and a European way of being truly make some additional prayer, said alongside human. our concrete Christian commitment in the Contemplation looks deliberately towards world. The aim is to pray during the course the so-called profane areas. Not only Jesus of a total commitment, it is the experience Christ, God, religious texts and past realities of encountering God while encountering need to be contemplated, meditated upon, people. pondered, but above all else people with Such a synthesis, if it is to be complete whom we are dealing, the work we are and permanent, must make use of the doing and the part of the world that has whole wealth of prayer-life, as a privileged been entrusted to us. Perhaps this is just encounter with the Lord. And it must take what we need to learn from Francis and advantage as well of the truly religious Clare today. I value of work and of commitment that is — Correspondence course on the genuinely striving for justice and fraternity. Franciscan Missionary Charism, Unit 10 Thus, contemplation must always lead to practical application, to work, to an Check out: www.ccfmc.net/wEnglish