St Anthony Brief

IRISH FRANCISCAN MISSION MAGAZINE No .1 DEC/jAN 2013 €1.00  Nativity: en and Now

 Who Can You Trust?  Witnesses to the Gospel in Haiti Spirit and Life

COME, LORD, COME!

Every year we celebrate the holy season of Advent, O Lord. Every year we roll up all our yearnings into one word: "Come!"

But it won't really be "another" coming, because you have never really gone away. In the human existence that you made your own for all eternity, you have never left us.

But still you will come again, because your coming must continue to be revealed ever more clearly. It will become progressively more manifest to the world that the heart of all things is already transformed, because you have taken them all to your heart.

– Karl Rahner, SJ

St Anthony Brief SStt AAnntthhoonnyy BBrriieeff

2 Spirit and Life. 4 From the Editor. Who Can You Trust? Kieran Cronin, OFM, looks at the serious 5 issue of ethics within the various professions. A Place Apart. Gerald Evans, OFM, tells of the hermitages 8 being set up by the friars in Costa Rica. Among the Poor in Latin America. Franciscan Sister, Ancilla 10 Grenham, FMIC, writes of the work of the Sisters among the poor of South America. 12 Church Brief. Something Precious in the Cooking-Pot. Liam McCarthy, 13 OFM, tells of the celebration in Zimbabwe in memory of Servant of God, John Bradburne, martyred friend of the lepers.

Repairing the Church… Building the Kingdom. Adrian Peelo, 14 OFM, travelled from Mission San Luis Rey in California to preach the St Anthony Novena in Killarney friary this year. The experience gave him food for thought!

The Nativity Story – Then and Now. Sr Mary Burke, FMDM, 16 has been deeply moved by the Nativity play that takes place each year in Wintershall, Surrey. She ponders the Then and Now of the timeless story. 19 Missing God. Blessed Conor O’Devany, OFM. This year is the 400th 20 anniversary of the martyrdom of Irish Franciscan bishop, Conor O’Devany, who died for the faith in 1612. Pat Conlan, OFM, tells his story.

News from Around the Franciscan World.

Volume 73 No.1 22 The Gospel of Life. As a Christian people we are called to Missionary Magazine of the Irish Franciscans. Published bi-monthly by 24 protect life. Francis Cotter, OFM, looks at the painful issue of the Franciscan Missionary Union, abortion. 8 Merchants Quay, Dublin 8. Editor: Fr Bernard Jones, OFM. Witnesses to the Gospel in Haiti. Gearóid Ó Conaire, OFM, Production: Fr Francis Cotter, OFM. 27 finds a passion for Christ and a passion for humanity among the Subscription & Distribution Secretary: friars in Haiti. Helen Doran. Tel: (01) 6777651. Design, Layout & Printing: Mission Digest. Mutemwa: Celebrating the Servant of God, Corcoran Print & Design. Tel: (053) 9234760. 30 John Bradburne. Subscription including Postage: Ireland – €12.00 per annum Letters to the Editor. Britain – Stg£12.00 per annum 31 Overseas – €15.00 per annum

Dec/jan 2013 3 From the Editor… Advent Candles Light

the Path to Christmas Fr Bernard Jones

The colour of the Advent season is purple. This colour is the colour of penitence and the colour of royalty. As we prepare for Jesus’ coming into the world, we use the time to pray and repent of our sins so that we can be worthy of Jesus’ coming. We focus on thanking God for Christ’s first coming, that very first Christmas so long ago; we spend our time preparing our hearts and homes for Christ’s final coming when the world as we know it now will end. A common Advent tradition is the making of and lighting of the Advent wreath. Advent is a time of preparation and awaiting the coming, it is important to have a way to mark the time. We use three purple and one rose coloured candle for this celebration. During week one, we light the first purple candle as a symbol of hope. Week two, peace, is marked by the second purple candle along with the first candle. Week three the rose coloured candle is lit in celebration of Mary, the Virgin Mother, who gave birth to the child Jesus and this is the candle of joy. The final purple candle, the candle of love, celebrates that the preparations are complete and we wait for the birth of Jesus. The lighting of these candles is a way to remind us that Christ is the light of the world and each candle we light shows His light to the world, sadly a world that sometimes exists in the darkness of sin. For each of us this time of Advent is a time of reflection to acknowledge that Christ came to earth to live the human struggles of life right alongside us. It is a time to prepare our hearts for Christ’s coming and to thank God that we have Jesus in our lives to help us with our daily struggles. Advent prepares us for the coming of the Lord and the celebration of hope, peace, and the joy that is Christ, the light of the world. We pray that during this time we will open our lives to the wonders of the crib and the love of God. On behalf of the staff here in the Franciscan Missionary Union I wish to thank you for your gener - ous support and to wish you every blessing and good health for 2013. – Bernard Jones, OFM ([email protected])

St Anthony Brief 4 Who Can You Trust?

any of the pressing ethical con - ing up scandal and at times refusing to cerns of our times are directly For good or ill, take seriously allegations brought by vic - Mrelated to what is called “role professional people tims. Although we must emphasise that in morality”. Most of our moral obligations all of these examples, just “some” of the stem from the socially defined roles we exercise influence profession’s members violated their code occupy or “play” in daily life. How we of ethics, it still remains the case that the ought to act is prescribed in roles like over our lives. moral authority of many of the professions father, mother, husband, wife, friend, but Kieran Cronin, OFM, is to some extent undermined by the “drip also very significantly in our occupational effect” arising from so many reports of roles. It matters a lot to our human fulfil - looks at the serious misconduct by people expected to be ment what kind of work we do, whether it trustworthy. is a “trade” (plumber, electrician, carpen - issue of ethics ter) or a “profession” (doctor, lawyer, within the various Professional Ethics priest, accountant) or a non-skilled, In his book, Professional Power and menial job. Nor should we forget the pain professions. Social Welfare (1982), Paul Wilding sug - of those who have no work for various gests that occupational groups which reasons. In this article, I want to underline institutions. The role of politician has also attain to professional status within society the ethical aspect of the professional role, been affected by scandal over the years, seek to have four privileges safeguarded. since professional people exercise a great with some high profile figures accused of First, a state enforced monopoly of the deal of power and influence over our taking bribes, “being economical with the task they carry out. No one is allowed to lives, for better and, unfortunately, for truth” when answering to tribunals, and a set up as a doctor on their own initiative. worse. tendency to make unrealistic promises at If you “operate” on a person, even with A fair proportion of the moral scandals election time which soon after become their consent, you are liable to end up in reported in the media are about the mis - the subject of u-turns! Some lawyers have prison. Notice how many in the medical behaviour of professionals. Our extreme betrayed their clients by running away profession are hostile to practitioners in financial crisis has been largely caused with their money. Some members of the “alternative” medicine! Is this simply due by those in the banking profession (espe - police have been known to cut corners in to medical risk or are they also wary of cially at the higher managerial level) who attempting to get convictions. (Recently competition? Second, they maintain con - failed to carry out their role of stewardship police in England were found wanting in trol of entry to the profession in terms of of their customers’ savings and invest - the way they handled the tragic deaths of the selection of candidates and their num - ments. Irresponsible lending, especially to football fans in Hillsborough). Last, but ber. Thus, criticisms have been made of property developers, has led to a painful certainly not least, some priests have the medical profession for supporting a recession where many are at their wit’s betrayed the trust placed in them by points system of education which favours end to survive economically. It is clear abusing children. Often bishops/religious medical students with high mathematical that some of those who had the role of superiors failed in their role as shepherds and scientific skills, and largely ignoring financial regulators failed in their duties to of the flock by mishandling these cases: other vocational factors such as care and challenge the high risk policies of financial moving abusers to new locations, cover - compassion. Third, control of the length

Dec/jan 2013 5 and content of training. And last, the patients by telling untruths about their con - tains to confidentiality. This is the other determination of conditions of work. dition on the basis of the fundamental side of the coin to truthfulness. There Recall here the traditional treatment of principle, “Do no harm”. This can occur in must be times in our relationships with junior doctors in hospitals who often work situations where telling an ill person, suf - others when we keep the secrets they like slaves to their own detriment as well fering from anxiety say, that they have a confide in us. This obligation would as risking patient health. Wilding goes on serious condition, may cause them to go appear to be especially stringent for pro - to say that in order to maintain these priv - down hill quickly and in some cases to fessionals in whom clients may confide ileges of “professional autonomy” the pro - refuse life saving treatment out of fear. highly private information, the revelation fession in question promises or guaran - Doctors and medical personnel have in of which would be damaging to them if tees trustworthiness and commitment to a the past claimed the right, sometimes made known to third parties. And yet, common good by promulgating an ethical under pressure from family members, to books on medical ethics and professional code and by disciplining their delinquent cover up the fact that a patient is dying in guidelines seem to justify any number of members. In other words, with privileges order to minimise his or her distress. (Or is exceptions to this rule, especially when go responsibilities and given the power it geared to minimising their own dis - the welfare of others is in question. Thus, that many professionals exercise over our tress?) Here we should note that, even in if a psychologist hears from a patient that existence in relation to life, health, educa - common morality, some may argue for he intends to murder someone, should tion, freedom, wealth, etc. it stands to rea - exceptions to the rule on telling lies if a the professional report this fact to the son that we can expect a high level of greater good is served. Thus, it is argued, police? Would this not involve a breach of ethical commitment from them. And since we can sometimes tolerate “white lies”? trust and lead to a breakdown in the rela - so much wrongdoing or sin is associated On the other hand, medical practitioners tionship between doctor and patient? with the abuse of power, we rightly feel can (and should) adopt a very strict oppo - Today it has become common place for that ethical controls of professionals sition to misleading patients in the name any professional counsellor to lay down should be particularly stringent. of another principle which could be said to the limits of confidentiality with a prospec - override the principle of avoiding harm, tive client so that each person in the rela - Ethical Principals namely, the principle of autonomy. This tionship knows where he or she stands. Among the many issues raised by profes - principle holds that if patients are to make Still the growth of exceptions to the sional ethics perhaps the most significant a free, rational decision about their well- requirement of confidentiality has led is the relationship between the ethical being then they must be given the relevant some ethicists to claim that this has principles that bind members of the pro - information by their doctors. Being untruth - become a “decrepit concept”. fessions and the universal or common ful to a patient is to undermine their dignity Still in the area of confidentiality is the morality of lay people, the clients of pro - by failing to respect their freedom. vexed matter of the religious dimension, fessionals. The question is whether doc - Another controversial area today in where some clergy demand absolute con - tors, lawyers, priests, counsellors, social connection with professional practice per - fidentiality, as in the sacrament of workers and their like have a special form Confession, no matter what the of morality which allows (or even obliges) consequences for others. them to act in ways that would be forbid - We have encountered den to the ordinary man/woman this position in Ireland on the street. with suggestions Take the case of truth - from some politicians fulness. Common moral - that priests be com - ity prohibits lying to peo - pelled to report peo - ple, that is, deliberately ple who confess misleading others or crimes of intentionally withholding information to which they Trustworthy: have a right. But it is the responsibility arguable that doc - tors, in particu - of privilege lar, may mis - lead their

6 St Anthony Brief paedophilia. Mandatory reporting of this guilty; and when this failure to reveal the the former expected to be obeyed and type does not allow exceptions such as truth means that an innocent person may trusted without question. The movement the seal of confession. If we think of go to prison while a guilty person goes towards patient autonomy in medical priests as professionals and insist on their free. No wonder ordinary people can be ethics is a major example of the limita - absolute duty of confidentiality, then we sceptical of the “justice” of the justice tion of the authority of doctors to decide have on the face of it at least one exam - system. on treatment options for patients. To ple of where professional morality bypass the consent of patients is abu - diverges from what we call common Common Morality sive, except in extreme circumstances. morality. Although there is something to be said Thirdly, encouraging distinct professional for recognising some distinction between ethics contributes to a spirit of moral rel - Legal Profession professional morality and ordinary, every - ativism in a society which already suffers Although the majority of legal profession - day moral standards, I believe that it from this trend in com - als are trustworthy people, this profes - mon moral debate. sion has often received Relativism in morality most criticism from the holds that moral prin - ethical perspective, ciples, rights, and especially from the point virtues are specific to of view of common each culture and morality. I am not think - time, rejecting the ing here of the ways in idea of universal and which a minority of timeless moral reali - lawyers help to encour - ties. This false view age a litigious culture, would be encour - encouraging people to aged if we were to sue for trivial or dishonest stress that in addi - reasons (the so-called tion to everyday “ambulance-chasers” in morality, each pro - the American legal cul - fession is like a ture.) Rather the main mini culture with its issue, I believe, stems own moral view - from obligations to clients point. created by the adversarial Professional ethics is an area that system of criminal law. Our The Justice System: How Just? requires more attention, not only from intuitions from common morality makes professionals themselves but from lay us feel uneasy about lawyers defending is dangerous to allow professionals to people in dialogue with professionals. people accused of serious crimes, espe - move far from common or universal ethi - Issues in professional ethics should be cially when the defence counsel uses his cal thinking. Because of the tendency for debated more often in the public forum or her skill to release dangerous crimi - power to corrupt, it is necessary to con - so that everyone can potentially have a nals back into society. This feeling of trol the power professionals have at their say in developing widely accepted stan - unease increases when we note the ten - disposal. This demands a careful consid - dards guiding the important relationships dency of some lawyers to attack and eration of claims made by professionals between professional practitioners and harass witnesses, including victims of who insist on following their own moral their clients. One area of importance their clients, already traumatised by standards, lest their alternative ethics here is the debate on the limits of confi - crime. A famous quote from the nine - become self-serving and abusive of dentiality. Another might be concerned teenth century barrister, Lord Henry clients. with how we should temper the adversar - Brougham, reflects this tendency: “An A number of reasons can be sug - ial system of criminal law to take into advocate, in the discharge of his duty, gested for limiting the freedom of profes - account the dignity of all those involved knows but one person in the world, and sionals to plough their own moral furrow, in the process of achieving justice. With that person is his client. To save that so to speak. Firstly, most professionals regard to the priesthood in the Catholic client by all means and expedients, and do not have any special expertise in the Church, there is need to discuss the at all hazards and costs to other per - area of moral reflection. Much of the relationship between vocation and pro - sons, and, amongst them, to himself, is training of doctors and nurses, for fession and to develop codes of ethics his first and only duty; and in performing instance, is of a scientific nature, with which promote loving and just relation - this duty he must not regard the alarm, medical ethics courses occupying a ships between priests and those to the torments, the destruction which he small section of the curriculum. Nor is it whom they minister. Finally, we might may bring upon others.” It would be hard clear that doctors and nurses have spe - agree on the position that if there is to be to find an approach to professional cial insights into the moral implications of a distinct professional ethics, it should be ethics more in conflict with common illness that would allow them to dictate one that is humble, receptive to the morality than this. Legal confidentiality is morally to patients. Secondly, modern points of view of others and willing to go also controversial, when lawyers must culture is critical of the unequal relation - beyond a minimal standard in going the protect client information, even though ship between professionals and clients extra mile for those who put their trust in they know or suspect their clients are which predominated in the past, where such valued members of society. 

Dec/jan 2013 7 A Place Apart

Sacred space: View from the Hermitage.

All need support on their spiritual journey. Gerald Evans, OFM, tells of the hermitages being set up by the friars in Costa Rica.

l Barrio San Martín, Alajuela, the parish structure limits the Franciscan It is our hope to have a fraternity Costa Rica, has been my home charism’s freedom to respond to the pas - accompanying people who wish to have Efor the past fifteen years. I say toral needs the parish clergy are unable hermitage experiences here in Costa home “tongue in cheek” as San Martin to meet. Rica. Latin Americans, being a very has been more a base to live the life of Over the years, San Martin has “soul” people, are increasingly searching an itinerant friar travelling all over Central become a point of reference for the for silent spaces offering accompaniment America and Mexico on different Franciscan charism lived out in a very on their inner spiritual journey. In our very Provincial activities giving retreats and simple lifestyle: for example, walking and fast, agitated and superficial world the workshops on Franciscan spirituality. travelling by bus rather than owning a majority of us live out our lives day by The barrio is relatively small, made up car. Our house is simple and we do our day, week by week, year by year within of working class families employed in the own cooking and attend to the basic the family, the work situation, the commu - local factories. We are a fraternity of household chores ourselves with the help nity, along with our hobbies, as best as three friars. Along with myself there is of a local person who gives us a hand possible but as ends in themselves and one from El Salvador and one from Costa three mornings a week. San Martin is not a means to live a deeper life. Rica. The friar from El Salvador is study - also a place where people can come Some of us go to Mass, and occasion - ing full-time for his masters in anthropol - continually to receive spiritual direction. ally we leave inspired or indeed ques - ogy in the University of Costa Rica. The Indeed most of our time as friars is dedi - tioned by what we have heard during the other friar helps me out with the pastoral cated to that apostolate. As I mentioned celebration. We pray when we can, but activities in the community. in my last article on “Franciscan with the pace of life and stress of work Since our presence here as a frater - Awakening”, we have a very strong pres - the things of the spirit at best take second nity is not a parish but a rectory we have ence among the street people here in place, at worse no place at all. Deep the opportunity to move more freely and Alajuela and indeed in all of the principal down we know that things should be oth - be involved in many areas not associated cities of Costa Rica. erwise and we feel bad. At times we even with the parish structure. Parishes tend to begin to wonder whether life has not tie one down to a specific area and to a Hermitages become just a routine, even boring and very specific type of pastoral work. In More recently we began a project of empty and we ask ourselves with certain Central America the parishes are building hermitages in the nearby moun - disquiet is this what it’s really all about? immense, like dioceses. One’s time is tains with a view to offering retreats to Surely there must be something more to absorbed almost exclusively in adminis - the friars, religious and lay people. The life than this? However, most of us rapidly tration which defeats the purpose of hav - project is now well underway with six return to our daily chores, to our con - ing time to attend and accompany the cabins, dining room, kitchen and chapel sumerism, thus distancing ourselves from people pastorally. Some would argue that completed. these disturbing intuitions.

St Anthony Brief 8 Divine Discontent Sad to say few of us recognise these Hermitage cabin: a wakening moments of divine discontent as God to the inner journey. passing through our lives inviting us to awaken to life´s deeper meaning which consists not in materialising our existence but living it inspired by the eternal values which have humanised peoples and cul - tures throughout history. Many are aware of the Franciscan presence over the years in marginalised areas around the world accompanying the poor in their search for dignity and a just share in the world’s riches. In Central America our work among the urban and rural poor is well known with projects among the street people of our larger cities, and among migrant workers in the country. Few are aware of another equally long tradition of accompanying people in their spiritual search through hermitage experiences. Our hope as Franciscans is to respond to the above mountain ranges running through Central only to Franciscan religious and the need by returning to this ideal, by build - America from Guatemala to Panama. We Franciscan family but to all those inter - ing hermitages in each country in the would hope to offer this experience not ested in this essential search.  Available now from the Franciscan Missionary Union (FMU) Office:  St Anthony Brief magazine (per annum): ¤12 (Ireland), Stg£12 (Britain), ¤15 (overseas)  Annual Enrolment  Perpetual Enrolment  Monthly Draw Tickets Religious Items:  Everybody’s St. Anthony booklet ¤1.00  St. Anthony’s Brief in metal 50c  St. Anthony’s Brief in linen 50c  St. Anthony Guide Stamps booklet ¤1.00  St. Anthony’s Relic 50c FFRRAANNCCIISSCCAANN  St. Anthony’s Beads ¤2.00  St. Anthony Blessings 20c MMIISSSSIIOONNAARRYY  St. Anthony Novena prayers 30c UUNNIIOONN (FFMMU)  Stations of the Cross book ¤2.00 8 Merchants’’ Quay All prices include postage & packaging. Dublliin 8 Please make cheques/postal orders payable to: Tell: (01) 6777651 Franciscan Missionary Union.

Dec/jan 2013 9 Franciscan Sister, Ancilla Grenham, FMIC, writes of the work of the Sisters among the poor of South America.

Among the Poor in Latin America

n the 1960s, The Missionary working with the Franciscan friars from In 1984, Sisters came to Peru to Franciscan Sisters responded to the Holy Name Province, USA. They began examine the situation of the Church Icall of the Church to priests and mis - in the mountain regions to help out there and to discern if they could make a sionaries of western countries to share schools in need and alongside that they contribution. They found that indeed in the evangelisation in South America began pastoral work among the there were real needs in Peru especially by sending some of their members to Aymaran people. Our mission there con - in the mountain regions where the help the Church in South America minis - tinues. One of their contributions there Church had been absent. The ministry in ter to its people. Vocations to the priest - was to establish a branch of the Catholic Peru began as a pastoral ministry in the hood and religious life were not sufficient University of La Paz in the farming areas Andes Mountains of Huancabamba, in to reach all the people of that large con - of the mountains where the majority of the Diocese of Chulucanas. The Sisters tinent and especially to reach the indige - the people are Aymarans. That institu - minister there with the Franciscan friars nous peoples of which there are an end - tion is in full operation now training the who originally came here from Southern less number of groups. For a few hun - people of the mountain region of Italy for the pastoral work in the moun - dred years, many of these indigenous Carmen Pampa, Coroico. Their speciali - tains. These friars are now part of the groups had been left without proper sations are nursing, teaching and agri - Peruvian Province of the Twelve evangelisation. In modern times, it culture. The main objective of the univer - Apostles. The pastoral work in the dio - became imperative to evangelise these sity is to educate the people of the cese of Chulucanas is guided by the people properly and also because many region to work and serve their own com - Diocesan Pastoral Plan, The New Image of them were being drawn away from munity. Most of those students would not of Parish , and is in operation for 35 to the Church by the modern day cults be able to attend University in La Paz or 40 years. such as the Jehovah Witnesses, the elsewhere because of their poverty. The Mormons, etc. pastoral work in Bolivia continues and all Novitiate In 1969-70, in response to the call of our ministries are among the majority After some years ministering in Sondor, the Church, the Missionary Franciscan Aymarans. Bolivia is one of the poorest Huancabamba, some girls were asking Sisters started their ministry in Bolivia countries of South America. to enter with us for pastoral ministry

St Anthony Brief 10 among their own people. So, almost immediately, our General Leadership in Rome was anxious to establish a novi - tiate. For the sake of formation and education, the novitiate was established in the city of Piura. Two houses were opened there: Bello Horizonte on the north side and Consuelo de Velasco on the south side and pastoral ministry was initiated there also. Piura is a city in northern Peru, about four hours travel to the border of Ecuador. The city is on the Pacific coast, all of which is desert – from north to south. Piura is also the northernmost province of Peru and it includes the coast and the moun - tains. The city of Piura is called the city of the eternal sun because it has a very hot climate for six months of the year. With the establishment of the novi - tiate in Piura, the greatest need there Franciscan Sisters: Sr Ancilla is third from the right, back row. was our presence in the shanty towns or new settlements and so pastoral who cannot pay for the ordinary med - also sponsored and attended. The latter ministry was begun there. These settle - ical attention and medicines, nor for follows the workshops of prayer devel - ments are on the north and the south of rehabilitation after strokes and acci - oped by Ignacio Larrañaga, OFM Cap. the city of Piura. They are a modern dents. The centre also has a temporary These are also fairly well attended. We phenomenon. They are made up of safe house for abused women and chil - also give time for spiritual direction or mostly young people and young cou - dren who are referred to them by the simply “a listening ear” for those who ples who move there and get posses - authorities. It also has a programme for are in trouble and need to talk. sion of a small part of the desert and women´s promotion which gives As well as Shikena, for the last five build their houses of palm matting. courses in such things as sewing, hair years we have a plant nursery where Most of them come from the mountain styling, arts and crafts, etc., anything children from the nearby schools come areas in the hope of building a better that can help women help themselves. t o l e a r n a b o u t o u r e n v i r o n m e n t a n d t h e life. Some of them have been able to The centre also has a programme of ways in which they can help protect it. bring a certain amount of finance by spiritual development for the people In Peru they have a marvelous environ - selling land or holdings in the moun - who come there. There are times of ment to protect. It also helps the people tains so they are able to get started in teaching meditative/contemplative of the area to be aware of the needs of some form of work near the city but the prayer and workshops of prayer are the environment and to protect it.  majority of them are desperately poor and eke out a living from day to day. It is heartrending to see them. The cli - WE ARE LOOKING FOR PROMOTERS OF OUR MONTHLY DRAW mate of Piura enables them to live in We are looking for supporters of our mission who will take one book of tickets a month. those houses of palm matting and with - Please help us. Buy a book yourself. Write for a book to sell to your friends. out the amenities of water or electricity. Will you buy or sell for us: Some of them earn their living by cart - Book of 20 Tickets = €16.00. Return €10.00; keep €6.00. Thank you for supporting us ing water to the area and selling it. It in all the ways you do already. Our Address is: 8 Merchants Quay, Dublin 8. becomes a moving market of basics. Please send me ...... Books for Next Draw Holistic Centre Our Sisters have been working in these Name: ...... new settlements both north and south Address: ...... of the city of Piura since 1987-90. Since 2000, in Consuelo de Velasco, ...... the Sisters have initiated a holistic cen - tre of medicine, reflexology and mas - Phone No: ...... sage, called “Shikena”. The objective of this centre was and is to help the poor

Dec/jan 2013 11 Church Brief

Search for Peace Seeing the way he was treated, who will guide them in this new path, that of faith "Behind the missiles fired from Gaza and knows who will come after him." and proclamation." In the Diocese of Same retaliation from by Israel, the underlying a mission of the Franciscan Sisters of issue always resurfaces - the Israeli- Faith and Mission Mangalore is already present since 2004. It Palestinian conflict. This is the problem The Year of Faith will also be a year of now has 30 nuns, seven convents, three that must be addressed and resolved, if mission, because "mission and proclama - houses and a formation centre in three dio - one wants both peace in Gaza and for tion are the thermometer of faith." In this ceses in Tanzania. Also the Carmelite friars Israel to live in security." So says His spirit the diocese of Mangalore in the of Karnataka have been working in rural Beatitude Michel Sabbah, Patriarch Indian state of Karnataka, sent two new missions and in the field of education in Emeritus of Jerusalem of the Latins. The priests on mission to Africa, called to share Tanzania and South Africa for 30 years and Patriarch Emeritus recalls that the Gaza the gift of faith with the people of Tanzania. currently have 27 priests in Tanzania. Strip for many years "has been living And this mission will be constantly moni - under the weight of an absurd embargo, tored through a website. In this way, the Garden of Olives which makes the daily lives of a million two missionaries will remain in contact and The Franciscan friars are responsible for and a half of people inhumane, fostering will share their experience with their dio - caring for and preserving all the sites feelings of permanent hostility towards cese of origin. The website becomes an related to the life of Jesus in the Holy Land. Israel. The international community As part of their role they remains indifferent, and collaborate with different wakes up in a stupor scientific investigations. when there is an escala - The last one actually tion of violence as is hap - began three years ago pening now." Patriarch when two labs indepen - Sabbath, the first Arab to dently analysed the olive lead the Latin Patriarchate trees found in the Garden of Jerusalem, holds that of Olives, where the one should use all political Passion of Jesus began. and diplomatic means to Pierbattista Pizzaballa, "force the Palestinians and OFM, Custos of the Holy Israelis to a final peace Land, says: "These olive agreement." In this regard, trees are about 1,000 the Patriarch Emeritus years old. We've been raises the recent appeal by able to prove this through more than one hundred the trunk, the wood and Christian leaders in Holy also through the tradition Land who have asked the Arab Christians: of the Church. What we see is that ancient international community, and Europe in caught in ongoing conflict. Christian communities preserved these particular, to support the recognition of the trees in a special way." The trees are in Palestinian State as a full member of the instrument for fostering communion good condition, considering they were UN, with the status of permanent between believers of different continents. planted roughly 2,000 years ago. The study Observer. "I cannot understand how such On 14th November Fr Alwyn D'Souza, for - reveals that the eight trees have the same a request can be presented as an initiative mer National Director of the Youth origin and DNA. Antonio Cimato, coordina - against peace. Even the Churches - adds Pastoral, and Fr Ronald Pinto, who was tor of the scientific investigation states: “It His Beatitude - must take on their respon - curate in the parish of Madanthyar, was difficult to identify the units or pieces sibility, so that the Holy Land does not received the solemn missionary mandate that could be useful in the investigation. become a land of war." According to for the new missionary venture in the Especially since many of them didn't have a Patriarch Sabbah, strong support for this Diocese of Same, in Tanzania. Aloysius trunk. Now we are planning of taking the request of the Palestinian Authority is the D'Souza, Bishop of Mangalore, explains: investigation even further in the Mount of last chance to preserve the authority of "Given that there is a shortage of priests in Olives.” With the help of technology, scien - President Abbas from the total collapse. "If that area, the Bishop of Same had asked tists want to reproduce these eight olive an authority is constantly humiliated, in us for help. Our priests leave as authentic trees within ten to twenty years. Organisers time the people acknowledge that the apostles of Christ, to places and persons say it's a unique way to preserve the authority is not worth anything. Abu Mazen unknown, and even without knowing the Garden that witnessed the suffering of is a Palestinian leader who wants peace. local language. It is Christ that inspires and Jesus. 

St Anthony Brief 12 Something Precious in the Cooking-Pot Liam McCarthy, OFM, tells of the celebration in Zimbabwe in memory of Servant of God, John Bradburne, martyred friend of the lepers.

n Saturday and Sunday 1st and 2nd September this year OOthe 33rd anniversary celebra - tions took place at Mutemwa where John Bradburne lived and died. Large crowds gathered even though there was a National Congress organised on the same weekend. Some pilgrims went to the congress in Harare and then sped Cooking-pot: Deacon Naison receives the Gospel Book off to Mutemwa! The celebrations began at 3.00pm with the recitation of the Chigona. This is a unique part of the golden shirts and dark pants. A girl in rosary led by Br Alfred Patience Tigere, Mutemwa pilgrimage each year. We all her golden dress and a floral wreath on OFM. Then followed the penitential rite know how much John loved to climb this her forehead carried a cooking pot on in preparation for the Sacrament of mountain each day. On the mountain her head – with the smoke coming from Reconciliation. Fr Jim Hasson, OFM, throughout the night there was singing, the pot! But where was the Gospel conducted the penitential service and praying and listening to talks. Some pil - Book? That’s what the deacon asked as gave a beautiful homily – all in Shona. grims also slept – didn’t that happen too she approached him at the altar. He was Many pilgrims come to Mutemwa to in the Garden of Gethsemane! going to take the pot and bring it to the receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The morning Mass began at the celebrant! But she said to him in a low During the time of individual confes - John Bradburne site at 6.30am. This voice: “No, not the pot – take the lid off sions pilgrims also visited the Tin Hut was also a memorable celebration. The and look inside.” And there it was, the where John Bradburne lived, and there patients from the leprosarium were there Gospel Book. The Word of God had Daniel Chidemo, OFS, National Minister along with the orphans from Mother of been cooked and now the deacon was of the Secular Franciscans, gave intro - Peace Community and the many pil - to share it with the people! ductory talks on the life and times of grims. Whilst at night there was the Yes, another year has come, the John Bradburne. This was very well darkness during the celebration of the annual anniversary has been celebrated, received. Mass – now all was light – with Brother and each year the numbers attending As the crowds gathered, there was Sun resplendent. The sun seemed to are increasing. The celebration was plenty of congregational singing and this give all a new energy, ringing out a new organised and planned by Cyprian prepared the way for the talks on the day with plenty of singing. The principal Chipwere and his team – the John theme for the celebrations this year, celebrant was Fr Linous Mukumbuzi, Bradburne Memorial Society Love One Another. OFM, from Assisi Mission at Nharira. (Zimbabwe) Committee. As the pilgrims We then had the Holy Hour of The preacher was Br Naison Manjovha, set off on their homeward journeys they Adoration. This was led by Fr Sylvester OFM, a deacon. He preached a powerful were happy to have been there, to have CSSp. It is a great experience to wit - sermon on the meaning of true love. The asked for the intercession of John ness the silent adoration of the people – Gospel procession with the Book of the Bradburne in their many needs, to have in the stillness of the night – all kneeling Gospels was just memorable. The pro - experienced the joy and peace of the in prayer. Holy Mass then began at cession was accompanied by the boys celebrations, and hoping to come again 11.00pm. Around midnight the torch- and girls from the orphanage – the girls next year to this place of prayer and light procession made its way to Mount in golden dresses and the boys wearing inner healing. 

Dec/jan 2013 13 The Friary, Killarney

Adrian Peelo, OFM, travelled from Mission San Luis Rey in California to preach the St Anthony Novena in Killarney friary this year. e experience gave him food for thought! Repairing the Church… Building the Kingdom

n June of this year I went home to Damiano and prayed for guidance. From and teachings of Jesus. Some think that Ireland to conduct the St Anthony the cross came the reply: “Francis, go and the kingdom is the afterlife, some as the IINovena at Killarney friary. It had been repair my house which, as you see, is Church. But Jesus speaks about the king - eight years since I last ministered in my falling into ruin.” dom as being within you or in your midst. homeland, and I went with a mixture of The house in need of repair, Francis In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus says to his fol - excitement and trepidation. A lot has hap - came to understand later, was not the lowers: “Proclaim as you go that the king - pened in the Church in Ireland these last small tumbledown chapel of San Damiano dom of heaven is near: heal the sick, raise ten years; reading the Irish newspapers but rather the household or family of the the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, online here in California has been very Church, which, in the early Middle-Ages drive out demons. Freely you have painful at times and has left me with a sad was in great need of reform. It occurred to received, freely give.” and uneasy feeling about the future. me that perhaps I should talk about how St This passage makes it clear that we Mindful of this, I thought long and hard Francis, an ordinary man with little formal reveal the kingdom by the way we live and about what to share with the people of education, began to repair the “house” in act – not simply that we live morally and Killarney. I have only good memories of his time – and how we ordinary folk can do virtuously, but that we work at healing, the year I spent there as a novice in 1974. it in ours. When a family is shamed by the wakening, caring for, and calming others. I let these memories form the backdrop to sinfulness of some of its members, when Another translation might read like this: “As my thoughts and prayers as I prepared for its reputation is tarnished and feelings of you travel around, let people know that the the novena. I also prayed the prayer of the hurt, betrayal, disappointment and pain kingdom of heaven has come. Take care late Fr Mychal Judge, OFM, who died at predominate, what can help the healing of the sick, waken the lifeless, get to the the Twin Towers. He used to say: “Lord, process and make the family whole again? root of suffering, and banish the demonic. help me to do your work and keep me out When looking for enlightenment, St Do it all with a generous heart because of your way.” Francis went directly to the Gospel for an God has dealt generously with you.” answer. Healing Process Running like a thread through all the The Way to Repair It often happens that after you agree to Gospels is Jesus’ proclamation of the king - Isn’t this what Jesus did during his public conduct a retreat panic sets in. Having dom of heaven. I felt that this would be a life? He healed the sick, and not just the said yes to the friars in Killarney I found good place to begin a retreat, to talk about physically ill like the ten lepers, but those myself blank for ideas and wondering what what this kingdom is and how we who were sick in spirit and who felt far to do with two talks a day for nine days. announce it in our time. But what is the from God like the blind man Bartimaeus The very question itself, “What will I do?” “kingdom of heaven” or “kingdom of God”, who cried out to Him from the roadside: reminded me of St Francis as he knelt this image which is the heart and soul of “Son of David, have pity on me!” He before the icon of the crucifixion at San the Gospels? It is woven into all the stories brought people back to life, and not just

St Anthony Brief 14 Lazarus and the widow’s son, but people Francis and the who were shunned because they were leper: embracing impure and outside the Law, dead in spirit like the woman taken in adultery and the the despised. outcasts, the tax-collectors and sinners, who dined with Him at table. He got to the root of suffering by invit - ing people to forgive, even enemies and those who despise one another. He ban - ished the demonic by calling people to exorcise the demons of hatred, jealousy, greed and prejudice. He told a tale of rec - onciliation in the parable of the Prodigal Son and how compassion can replace suspicion in the story of the Good Samaritan. Against all the rules, He engaged the Samaritan woman in conver - sation at Jacob’s well, and in a great ges - ture of friendship revealed His heart, despite protests from His disciples. He changed the greedy heart of Zacchaeus, the tax collector from Jericho, through a profound personal encounter, touching it into life. The way to repair, it seems to me, is the way of Jesus as he goes about pro - claiming the kingdom. The kingdom is the vision God has for the world, the kingdom ject was, then, a participation in the mis - Passionate Belief revealed in the words and actions of sion of Jesus. Francis made himself hum - The kind people of Killarney who came Jesus. God’s vision is often at odds with ble and socially insignificant so that he every day to the novena have heard this the way we think and act. We often rush to might mirror the love of God without affec - massage many times throughout their judge and condemn, dismiss or exclude. tation or privilege. He simply imitated lives. I came to see my task as simply Jesus awakens faith, offering forgiveness Jesus, who had done the same, and he sharing with them my own faith as a fellow in God’s name, healing and telling the repaired the “household” as he went. traveller on the way to God, who is love – truth. Jesus’ way demands justice for the Repair, then, starts with self. I acknowl - to share my passionate belief that as con - poor and compassion for the wayward. edge that I am a sinner and that I stand in version leads us to at-onement with our Jesus is not concerned for Himself as need of forgiveness, that I am not perfect. deepest parts, withdrawing the evil we see much as He is mindful of the welfare of It begins with embracing my own inner in others and are blind to in ourselves, others, in particular the lost and hopeless. leper and being merciful… first and fore - recognising the blame, the excuses, for He breaks convention by reaching out and most to myself! It is more, though, than what they are, coming home, and loving making the dignity of the person primary. being sorry for past wrongs. It is to be pro - ourselves, being Christified; serenity and His mission, as He said, is to mend the foundly changed from the inside so that wisdom come. broken, give sight to the blind, lead the my worldview shifts deeply. It is a change So also comes a soft heart, the capac - captives to freedom, and reaffirm God’s in the myth by which I live. ity tenderly to hold and touch and heal; with favour on humankind. This change of heart, or metanoia (the this comes compassion, the characteristic Greek word used in the Gospel to describe of those who belong to the kingdom. “The Kissing the Leper conversion, literally to go “out of your vision of compassion cuts through all St Francis’ conversion and his coming into mind”), brings me into the kingdom, and boundaries. It is not shocked and does not the kingdom began when he embraced there I discover the power of love to heal. easily take offence. It knows its own dark - and kissed a leper, the most despised and This is what Jesus is all about. He is not a ness, its own need for forgiveness, and reviled person in the Middle-Ages. In his moralistic teacher but the giver of a new having received mercy, it can now pass it Testament, the last words he shared with vision by which I can live. It is a vision that on,” writes American theologian, Barbara his brothers before his death, he says that is in me and around me. It is the kingdom Fiand, who captures well the essence of that having embraced the lepers he was of God. Once I embrace the vision, I am in what I wanted to share during the novena. given the grace to show them a merciful the kingdom, and there, through loving, I In conclusion, I would like to express heart. Francis himself became a leper, not can heal the brokenness in myself and in my thanks to the congregations at Killarney physically, but socially, by identifying with others. This loving is prepared to sacrifice friary who came in great numbers morning the poorest and most forgotten, the all, even to the laying down of my life. and evening to listen and to pray. Your minores , or the least in society. In embrac - Only self-sacrificing love can heal the deep faith and compassion continue to ing the leper he embraced his own dam - deepest wounds and restore the equanim - assure us that “the kingdom of God is near aged self in the power of God’s mercy, and ity and balance that leads to the whole - at hand”.  thus he became his true self. His life pro - ness we call holiness. [email protected]

Dec/jan 2013 15 e Nativity Story – en and Now

A FRESH LOOK SR MARY BURKE, FMDM

Sr Mary Burke, FMDM, has been deeply moved by the Nativity play that takes place each year in Wintershall, Surrey. She ponders the en and Now of the timeless story.

ow… A spotlight casts a long need? I don’t know what to expect? In the and walking each painful step in the hope shadow across the hills, and the absence of those she loved and might of a different and better future. The land of NNcrowd waits expectantly as its sin - have depended on had Jesus’ birth taken Jordan, unlike Turkey, does not have a gle beam focuses the light on a distant fig - place in Nazareth, Mary might naturally refugee camp at the border and the new ure. This solitary figure barely distinguish - have felt a certain apprehension. Had the arrivals, some of them heavily pregnant, or able as a young woman, heavily pregnant, birth been in her home town her mother carrying small children, (the men either lost riding a small and somewhat bedraggled and the women close to her would surely to the terror of war or having stayed behind donkey, is led gently by a solicitous young have been on hand to help and offer to continue the fight for freedom), are left to man. This same opening scene is advice. So, Mary might have felt a little fend for themselves, to find their own mea - repeated each year for several evenings sad that her child, and indeed a child who gre shelter often simply a small cave or a in an open air Nativity play in Wintershall held such great promise as the future makeshift tent of old jute sacks. in Surrey, England. The actors are real, as Messiah, was to be born so far from her Just as Mary carried Christ, the hope of is the Baby Jesus and it is often accompa - home, from the security of loved ones, the world’s salvation in her heart and nied by real rain or snow! Thousands and where most people were strangers to womb on that Christmas night long ago, so gather, many of them children, excited by her, a place where there was no room for too these woman carry hope in the midst of the presence of real actors, real sheep her in the inn and where she could find great sadness. They carry the hope that and lambs, camels, horses and a brightly only a stable in which to deliver her first - the sons they have carried in their own burning fire with shepherds warming them - born son. wombs and nourished with the love of their selves on a starry night as they discuss Now… a dim light in the distant hills hearts are alive. If they have been killed, the coming of the Messiah. shows that the border is not far away and as is often the case, the women carry the Then… a tired and weary Mary arrives with rebels and strangers helping them on hope that they themselves will have the at the inn seeking a place to stay, carrying their way a group of Syrian refugees strength to carry on and care for those left not just the physical weight of her preg - march slowly and fearfully through the to them to look after. nancy but the greater weight of an uncer - cold desert night towards what they hope Then… Mary and Joseph found a sta - tain future, the worries of every first-time and pray is the Jordanian border. Many ble, a poor and humble place in which mother expressed possibly in words like: are women and small children, seeking Mary might give birth to Jesus. Many Will this child be okay? Will I get the help I sanctuary, fleeing indescribable suffering Nativity stories, including the play produced

St Anthony Brief 16 at Wintershall, provide us with at least the Him. Herod in his search for supremacy “Come quickly, Brother Carlo, come and thought, and sometimes the practical real - was determined that no other king should help me,” he begged. “My sheep are lost ity, of some kindly person helping Mary in usurp his power. We read in Matthew’s and they are dying in the sand.” So her time of great need. It can be helpful Gospel that Joseph is told in a dream: together they dashed out into the desert for us to draw comfort from the fact that “‘Rise, take the child and his mother, and and with some difficulty found the missing there may have been someone there to flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell sheep that by then were weak with hold Mary’s hand, to speak gentle and you, for Herod is in search of the child to exhaustion and fear. Of course naturally encouraging words into her ear and to destroy him.’ And he took the child and his there was nowhere else to put the sheep ease the moments of pain and uncertainty mother by night, and departed for Egypt.” except in Carlo’s cave! It reminded him of that she may have felt. Certainly we Carlo Carretto speaks of the grief and the cave at Bethlehem except when he gather from the Gospel narratives that helplessness of Mary and Joseph, of their went to snuggle up to the sheep hoping for both shepherds and kings shared Mary sadness at the loss of human life about heat, he found they were wet and smelly. and Joseph’s joy at the birth of Christ. them, about their asking questions which Rather than be despondent, Carlo was There is a sense of promise and of a seemed to have no answers such as: Why reminded of the reality he was living future which will be different and of a other innocent children are massacred through. On this very special night here he world which will never be quite the same and not Jesus? Why did God allow such was in a cave with sheep and a shepherd. again. bloodshed? Indeed these are questions He was cold and life was a little less com - Now… Ghada is a forty-year-old we may find ourselves asking when we fortable for him than if he had arranged it Syrian woman who has lost her husband look at the bloodshed in Syria and other himself but in fact nothing was missing! and three sons; one of her sons, Ayman, places. Mary too would have grieved such The tinsel had been removed and he was was only thirteen years old when he was loss of life, would have been pained and actually being given the gift of seeing into killed playing football in the street. After felt the sword of sorrow pierce her heart. the real story of Christmas. fleeing to Jordan with her only remaining Now… for you and me… Like Mary So as we celebrate Christmas this year son and daughters, Ghada says: “We in her time we can feel there is little we might we too be called to see beyond the came through the fence with just the can do to make the Nativity of the 21st tinsel and be aware of the real stories of clothes on our backs, I began crying; out century any less painful than that of the those whose lives are hard and full of suf - of sadness to leave my country and out of birth of Christ Himself in His time. fering, lives which at the same time are full happiness to know I was alive and had However, Carlo Carretto offers me hope in of endurance, courage and hope. Let us saved my remaining children’s lives. The a little story he tells of how his own plans remember them in our hearts and our Jordanian border guards treated us kindly for Christmas took a different turn. He prayers and by giving any practical help we and gave us tea. They brought blankets was spending time in the desert, looking can thereby offering some small corner of for the ones who were cold.” forward to a contemplative Christmas, sit - the cave of our hearts to those in real Then and Now… Carlo Carretto in his ting in his cave praying quietly. However, need.  book Blessed Are You Who Believed as can happen in the desert, a sandstorm For more information on reminds us that scarcely had Jesus been suddenly began raging outside and a Winterhall Nativity, check out born when troubles were closing in around young shepherd boy came rushing in. www.wintershall-estate.com

Nativity play: delight as the story unfolds.

Dec/jan 2013 17 Please post the “Brief” magazine for one year to the following person/s (please use block capitals): ______1. Name: ...... Address: ...... Dear Friend, ...... Firstly, I would like to wish you and €12 (Ireland) [ ] €15 (Overseas) [ ] yours a blessed and peaceful Christmas _S_tg_£_1_2_ (_U_.K_._) _[ _ ] __(p_l_e_as_e_ _tic_k_ a_p_p_r_op_r_ia_te_ _b_o_x)_ . and all God’s blessings in the New Year. 2. Name: ...... Thank you for your loyal and constant ...... support of our missions – both by your Address: ...... prayers and by subscribing to our ...... Mission magazine “St Anthony Brief”...... The proceeds from the sale of this €12 (Ireland) [ ] €15 (Overseas) [ ] magazine go to help our missionaries who _S_tg_£_1_2_ (_U_.K_._) _[ _ ] __(p_l_e_as_e_ _tic_k_ a_p_p_r_op_r_ia_te_ _b_o_x)_ . minister in Zimbabwe, South Africa and 3. Name: ...... Central America...... The magazine as you know is full of Address: ...... interesting articles, a good read from the ...... beginning to end. If you enjoy reading €12 (Ireland) [ ] €15 (Overseas) [ ] our magazine, why not donate a year’s _S_tg_£_1_2_ (_U_.K_._) _[ _ ] __(p_l_e_as_e_ _tic_k_ a_p_p_r_op_r_ia_te_ _b_o_x)_ . subscription as a gift on behalf of a Your own name and address: friend or neighbour. Just fill in the ...... accompanying subscription form and ...... return it to our office...... ______Yours sincerely Please complete and return with payment Fr Bernard Jones, ofm to Franciscan Missionary Union, Director 8 Merchants’ Quay, Dublin 8. Thank you.

St Anthony Brief 18 Missing God His grace is no longer called for Miss Him when we exclaim His name before meals: farmed fish multiply spontaneously in awe or anger without His intercession. as a woman in a birth ward Bread production rises through calls to her long-dead mother. disease-resistant grains devised scientifically to mitigate His faults. Miss Him when the linen-covered dining table holds warm bread rolls, Yet, though we rebelled against Him shiny glasses of red wine. like adolescents, uplifted to see an oppressive father banished – Miss Him when, trudging past a church, a bearded hermit – to the desert, we catch a residual blast of incense, we confess to missing Him at times. a perfume on par with the fresh-baked loaf which Milosz compared to happiness. Miss Him during the civil wedding when, at the blossomy altar Miss Him the way an uncoupled glider of the registrar’s desk, we wait in vain riding the evening thermals misses its tug. to be fed a line containing words like ‘everlasting’ and ‘divine’. Even feel nostalgic, odd days, for His Second Coming, Miss Him when a choked voice at like standing in the brick the crematorium recites the poem dome of a dovecote about fearing no more the heat of the sun. after the birds have flown.

Miss Him when we stumble on the breast lump – from Missing God for the first time and an involuntary prayer by Dennis O’Driscoll escapes our lips; when a shadow crosses our bodies on an x-ray screen; when we receive a transfusion of foaming blood sacrificed anonymously to save life.

Dec/jan 2013 19 Blessed Conor O’Devany, OFM

is year is the 400th anniversary of the martyrdom of Irish Franciscan bishop, Conor O’Devany, who died for the faith in 1612. Donegal Friary: young Pat Conlan, OFM, tells his story. Conor enters the Order.

our hundred years ago the author - The O’Devany family had been nate in that either a lenient jailer or a ities in Dublin were worried. Anti- involved in Church administration in group of friends regularly managed to get FFCatholic legislation had been Raphoe, County Donegal, for centuries. supplies to him. greatly strengthened in England but noth - Conor was born around 1535. Many of his Conor spent four years as a prisoner ing had been done in Ireland. The relatives were priests in the dioceses of and was released just before the Ulster Protestant Church-by-law remained pre - Raphoe and Derry. He opted to become a Earls rose in rebellion. Even though he cisely that in a country that was still Franciscan, joining the Order in the friary was ministering in Ulster, the bishop was Catholic in body and spirit. Bringing Irish of Donegal around 1550. This had been very careful to take no active part in the legislation in line with what had become founded for the Observant Franciscans in war. His diocese was in the area gov - law in England would involve calling an 1474 and was flourishing despite perse - erned by the O’Neill of Clandeboye, a Irish parliament. It would have a Catholic cution. We know little about his formation reluctant supporter of Hugh O’Neill. In majority unlikely to pass the required as a friar or his ordination. He next 1606 it was reported that Conor, dressed laws. Something would have to be done appears in Rome in 1582. He was nomi - as a friar, had been ministering while liv - to change their minds. Then somebody nated as Bishop of Down and Connor on ing under the protection of Cormac had a bright idea! Why not frighten the 27th April and was consecrated in the MacBaron O’Neill. In 1607 he was in Catholics by having a few bishops or Church of Santa Maria dell’Anima in Tyrconnell under the protection of Rory priests found guilty in a trial and exe - Rome on 13th May. O’Donnell. Rory brought Conor to meet cuted afterwards? That should do the with the bitterly anti-Catholic Church of trick. London agreed so long as they Prison Ireland Bishop of Derry, Raphoe and were condemned for treason and not for Conor O’Devany was soon back in Clogher, George Montgomery. In 1610 their faith. The authorities looked at the Ireland. He was one of six bishops who Conor was reported as visiting the pil - prisoners in Dublin Castle. There were a met in 1587 to promulgate the decrees of grimage centre of Oileán na mBeo (now number of suitable candidates who were the Council of Trent in the northern part of Monaincha) near Roscrea. of Old English stock, families who had Ireland. The following year saw the failure The Flight of the Earls in 1607 made been settled in Ireland for centuries. of the planned invasion of England by the life more difficult for Conor. Significantly Their death would cause more trouble Spanish Armada. English troops went he was arrested in May or June 1611 than it was worth. Catholic opposition in through the country seeking refugees while at the house of Brian MacHugh Óg parliament would increase. Then some - from Spanish vessels wrecked off the MacMahon who was married to a daugh - one discovered a bishop and a priest Irish coast. During one of their sweeps ter of Hugh O’Neill but had not fled with from Ulster. They were Old Irish and their they captured Bishop Conor. He escaped, the others. Our bishop was brought once deaths would not present political prob - was captured again and imprisoned in more to Dublin Castle. There Patrick lems with the important Old English. The Dublin Castle. This was a frightful experi - O’Loughran joined him. He had been bishop was the Franciscan, Conor ence. Prisoners were often kept on their arrested on his arrival in Cork in June O’Devany, and the priest was Patrick own in cold, dark, damp cells with a mini - 1611 after years of study on the conti - O’Loughran. mum of food and water. Conor was fortu - nent.

St Anthony Brief 20 paperwork to prove it. The fact that a sec - convert the prisoners. The sheriff would ular rather than a Church court was trying not permit the bishop to address the him showed that he was being tried for crowd in Irish so he began to pray loudly Blessed Conor O’Devany, OFM his faith rather than treason. Sarsfield sar - as he mounted the gallows. He prayed castically remarked that Christ appeared that those present and Catholics all over Trial before Pilate. The bishop replied that he Ireland would remain faithful. He prayed Most people of either persuasion was content to be judged as Pilate judged for and forgave his persecutors. It had expected that both would be released Christ. Another charge was put that the been a dull winter day and nightfall was soon. There was no obvious reason for bishop had been a party to the Flight of approaching. Suddenly the sun emerged keeping them in prison. It was well known the Earls. He could easily prove that this from behind the clouds and illuminated that Bishop Conor had been inactive dur - was not true but was not allowed to call the scene. It vanished after the death of ing the Nine Years War and there had witnesses. Again the jury did their pre- the bishop. He was suspended by the been a general amnesty in 1605. He had arranged duty and found the bishop guilty. neck until he was nearly dead from suffo - not taken the Oath of Supremacy but this The priest was found guilty by the judge. cation. He was then disembowelled and was not considered a major problem. Fr The mandatory sentence for treason was his head cut off while the hangman cut up Patrick had not been in Ireland for four death. Both would be hanged, drawn and the body. Someone managed to steal the years but had been a chaplain to the quartered on 1st February. The prisoners head as a relic! Others in the crowd got O’Neills and had left Ireland at the time of were offered pardon if they would confess parts of his habit or other relics. The the Flight. But London had decided on a their treason and take the Oath of priest was then executed. Soldiers show trial and matters of guilt or inno - Supremacy. This meant acknowledging guarded the remains overnight while cence did not matter. Dublin was that King James was the head of the some Catholics kept vigil. The next day instructed that they should be tried for Church in Ireland, something that no the remains were buried at the site. Some treason rather than for their faith. A grand Catholic could do. pious Catholics disinterred them on the jury was empanelled in County Down and following night and gave them a proper met in Newry on 15th January 1612. The Execution burial. bishop was charged with having con - On the day appointed the two were tied The Irish parliament finally met in sorted with the Earl of Tyrone and “other on carts face upwards and drawn from 1613. The authorities realised that the most wicked traitors as well as having Dublin Castle across the Liffey to the trial and ritual killing of Bishop O’Devany treasonably advised, aided and comforted place of execution on George’s Hill. This and Fr O’Loughran had strengthened the them” on 1st January 1602 and earlier. In is now close to Church Street and behind Catholic cause. Forty new borough coun - accordance with the arrangements, the the Vegetable Market. A large crowd of cils inhabited by the New English, the jury did their duty and found the bishop Catholics had gathered. The prisoners Planters, were set up to ensure a guilty. were refused permission to kneel and Protestant majority. Some were in places Bishop Conor was then brought to pray but were brought to the gallows where construction had not yet begun. Dublin and charged with treason before immediately. The usual executioner had Confusion ensued when the Catholics the Court of King’s Bench. He pleaded vanished and was replaced by an were removed. King James needed par - not guilty and elected for trial by jury. The Englishman in jail for murder. A number of liament to agree on a royal subsidy. A trial of both bishop and priest began in a Protestant clergymen tried but failed to compromise was reached. Anti-Catholic crowded courtroom on 28th January legislation was withdrawn. The king got 1612. The bishop protested that the jury his money. The Catholics continued to was not only hostile but also illegal. It press for protection of their rights.  was not made up of Irishmen but of eleven English men, two Scots and an Irish man. Also, as a bishop, he should be tried in an ecclesiastical court. The objections were thrown out and the trial proceeded. Conor admitted that he had been in Ulster during the Nine Years War. He was there, not for treasonable pur - poses, but because he was a bishop in the area and had to minister to his peo - ple. He also pointed out that James I had pardoned all offences by the general amnesty of 1605. Sarsfield, the judge, pointed out that this amnesty only applied to those who had taken the required oath and could show that they had done this. The bishop countered that few lay Catholics had taken the oath or had the Dublin Castle: Bishop imprisoned twice.

Dec/jan 2013 21 News from around the . . . Franciscan World

Blessed Gabriel: Missionary and scholar.

 Novices: New Franciscan Blessed Vincent Finnegan, A Franciscan missionary to China and a Adrian McGrath and great scholar, who died in 1976, has been David Connolly, beatified. Fr Gabriel Allegra, OFM, who in Ennis Friary. devoted the greater part of his life to  Best Seller: translating the Bible into Chinese, was Galway Poor Clares declared “blessed” on 29th September in with their book of Sicily where he entered the Franciscan reflections ‘Calm the Order. While he was studying he heard of Soul’, now available Giovanni of Montecorvino, a Franciscan on Kindle. who journeyed to China in the late 13th  Higher Options at century. Inspired by Giovanni’s attempts the RDS, Dublin: to communicate Christianity to the Friar Pat Lynch, Chinese people, Gabriel sailed to Hunan Vocations Director, Province shortly after his ordination in with Carlow Poor 1930, and as soon as he gained knowl - Clares and Ann-Marie edge of the language, began translating Gallagher, Director of the Bible into Chinese. This was a task Vocations Ireland. that would consume the next 40 years of his life; facing many obstacles, he perse - vered, establishing the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum in Beijing in 1945. Forced to move to Hong Kong in 1948, he and his friar collaborators completed the transla - tion of the Bible into Chinese with full commentary in 1968. Although known pri - marily as a biblical scholar, he also carved out time to help the poor, victims of war,  Caption ?? and the sick, especially a leper colony in Macau, where he often spent his holidays. Perhaps Blessed Gabriel might be vener - ated as the patron of workaholics. He was fond of saying: “The most enviable fate for a Franciscan who does not obtain the grace of martyrdom is to die while he is working. Everyone thinks I’m sick! I can still work – so let’s go on!” 

St Anthony Brief 22 Visit the Holy Land during the Year of Faith!

NATIONAL FRANCISCAN PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND 19-26 APRIL 2013, DIRECT FROM DUBLIN Led by Fr Bernard Jones, OFM, Commissary to the Holy Land. Price: €1,398 P.P.S. 4 Nights Jerusalem and 3 Nights Tiberias (4 Star), Half Board (including taxes). For further information contact: Celebration Travel Ireland Ltd, D.F.B.A. Business Park, Dunhill, Co. Waterford. Tel: (051)396448. Fax: (051)396470. Licencsed in Republic of Ireland – T.O. 145.

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23 e Gospel of Life

FR FRANCIS COTTER, OFM

Union of Midwifes: “If the saving of the life As a Christian people we are called to protect life. of the mother, independently of her preg - nant condition, should urgently require a Francis Cotter, OFM , looks at the surgical act or other therapeutic treatment painful issue of abortion. . which would have as an accessory conse - quence, in no way desired or intended, but inevitable, the death of the feteus, such an act could no longer be called a direct attempt on an innocent life. Under these conditions the operation can be morally lawful, like other similar medical interven - tions.”

A Christian Mandate The Christian community must proclaim the Gospel of Life in its fullness, even if the world resists the message. This mandate has been given to His disciples by Christ who came to bring “life in abundance.” The issue of abortion needs to be placed within, what is called, “a consistent life ethic” - the wider context of our calling to work to protect life at all stages and in every situation where it is threatened – war, abortion, poverty, injustice, racism, capital punishment and euthanasia. When human life is considered “cheap” or easily expendable in one area, eventually nothing s I where abortion is is held as sacred and all lives are treated write, widely available. with contempt. AAthe topic While two inquiries The Church has consistently con - of abortion has been still have to be concluded demned abortion understood as the direct thrust centre stage in medical experts and bio- and purposeful taking of the life of the Ireland with the tragic ethicists have stated that unborn child. All human life is sacred from death of Savita Ireland’s ban on abortion conception until natural death, and the tak - Halappanavar, the pregnant should have had nothing to do ing of innocent human life, whether born or woman who died of septicaemia in with Mrs Halappanavar’s death. unborn, is morally wrong. The Church a Galway hospital recently. There has They insist that the guidelines from teaches: "Human life is sacred because been a rush to judgment in this sad case. the Irish Medical Council are perfectly from its beginning it involves the creative It is being used to advance the argument clear that pregnant women must be given action of God and it remains for ever in a that Ireland must change its law on abor - all necessary medical treatment. It also special relationship with the Creator, who tion. It is also being used to falsely give the needs to be stated that providing neces - is its sole end. God alone is the Lord of life impression that Ireland is an unsafe place sary care for the mother is not an issue from its beginning until its end: no one can for pregnant women, when the opposite is that conflicts with Catholic moral teaching. under any circumstance claim for himself true. Indeed Ireland, without induced abor - Catholic ethics do allow for actions to be the right directly to destroy an innocent tion, is recognized by the UN and World taken to save the life of the mother, even human being" ( Gift of Life , 5). Health Organization as a world leader in at the risk of ending the life of the unborn The respect for the sacredness of life in protecting women in pregnancy and is child. Pope Pius XII expressed this posi - the womb originates in Christianity’s safer than places like Britain and Holland, tion clearly in 1951, speaking to the Italian Jewish roots. The ancient Jewish world St Anthony Brief 24 was much different from the surrounding cultures where infanticide, infant sacrifice and abortion were not uncommon, and in some cases prevalent. For the Jewish peo - ple all human life has as its author the one God whose creative power produces the child in the mother’s womb and brings it step-by-step to full life. The Old Testament revelation, which the Christian community inherited and accepted, gives clear evi - dence that life in the womb was consid - ered as sacred. In Psalm 139:13, we pray: "Truly, O Lord, you have formed my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb." The prophet Jeremiah recalled: "The word of the Lord came to me thus: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you" (Jeremiah 1:4,5). The prophecy concerning the Servant of God, fulfilled in Christ, states: “The Lord called me from birth, from my mother’s womb He gave me my name... Now the Lord has spoken, He who Precious life: in the UK 92% of unborn children with formed me as His servant from the womb." Down Syndrome are aborted. (Is 49:1,5). the mystery of the incarnation, the Church law itself, is a telling sign of an extremely Sanctity of Life from the beginning has consistently upheld dangerous crisis of the moral sense, which The Greco-Roman world at the time of our the sanctity of the life of the unborn child is becoming more and more incapable of Lord and in which Christianity grew permit - and condemned the act of direct abortion. distinguishing between good and evil, even ted abortion and infanticide. In Roman law, In 1995, in his encyclical, The Gospel of when the fundamental right to life is at the two acts were really not distinguished Life , Pope John Paul II dealt at length with stake. This has led to interpreting crimes because an infant did not have legal status the major moral issue of our time. In that against life as legitimate expressions of until accepted by the pater familias , the teaching the Pope declared that the individual freedom, to be acknowledged head of the family; until accepted, the Church’s teaching on abortion "is and protected as actual rights. Given such infant was a non-person who could be unchanged and unchangeable. Therefore, a grave situation, we need now more than destroyed. In some parts of the Roman by the authority which Christ conferred ever to have the courage to look the truth in Empire, abortion and infanticide were so upon Peter and his successors, I declare the eye and to call things by their proper prevalent that reproduction rates were that direct abortion, that is, abortion willed name, without yielding to convenient com - below the zero-growth level. Nevertheless, as an end or as a means, always consti - promises or to the temptation of self-decep - the Christians upheld the sanctity of the life tutes a grave moral disorder, since it is the tion. In this regard the reproach of the of the unborn child, not only because of deliberate killing of an innocent human prophet is extremely straightforward: ‘Woe the Old Testament revelation as cited but being. This doctrine is based upon the nat - to those who call evil good and good evil, also because of the mystery of the incar - ural law and upon the written word of God, who put darkness for light and light for nation. The early Christians, as we still do, is transmitted by the Church’s tradition and darkness’ (Isaiah 5:20).” believed that Mary had conceived by the taught by the ordinary and universal teach - The right to life is the basic human right power of the Holy Spirit, and through her, ing authority. No circumstance, no pur - and the foundational element of society. the eternal Word of God became also true pose, no law whatsoever can ever make “The inalienable rights of the person must man. The story of the visitation attests to licit an act which is intrinsically illicit, since be recognised and respected by civil soci - the sanctity of life in the womb: “When it is contrary to the law of God which is ety and the political authority. These human Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby written in every human heart, knowable by rights depend neither on single individuals leapt in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with reason itself, and proclaimed by the nor on parents; nor do they represent a the Holy Spirit, and cried out in a loud Church." concession made by society and the state; voice: ‘Blest are you among women and they belong to human nature and are inher - blest is the fruit of your womb. But who am Moral Blindness ent in the person by virtue of the creative I that the mother of my Lord should come Pope John Paul speaks of a kind of moral act from which the person took his origin. to me? The moment your greeting blindness. “Today, in many people's con - Among such fundamental rights one should sounded in my ears, the baby leapt in my sciences, the perception of the gravity of mention in this regard every human being's womb for joy.’" (Lk 1:41-44). abortion has become progressively right to life and physical integrity from the Given the revelation of the Old and obscured. The acceptance of abortion in moment of conception until death.” New Testaments, with special emphasis on the popular mind, in behaviour and even in (Catholic Catechism , 2273).

Dec/jan 2013 25 This understanding has very practi - Healing Compassion estly. If you have not already done so, give cal implications. For example, prenatal No matter what the circumstances the yourselves over with humility and trust to screening has become very common. Christian community must manifest the repentance. The Father of compassion is But in a society that more and more wor - boundless goodness of God whose com - ready to give you His forgiveness and His ships at the altar of appearances and passion heals our broken hearts and sets peace. To the same Father and to His perfection these tests can put terrible us free from the crushing burdens of the unending love you can with sure hope pressure on parents. Both in the UK and past. New beginnings are always possible entrust your child. With the friendly and USA the vast majority (92%) of unborn by His grace. For those who do wrong the expert help and advice of other people, and children diagnosed with Down Syndrome mercy of Christ is always available. Many as a result of your own painful experience, are aborted. Indeed in the increasing women carry the wounds, emotional and you can be among the most eloquent demand for the perfect child recent spiritual, inflicted by abortion. Pope John defenders of everyone's right to life.” reports in UK have revealed that the Paul spoke to those most directly affected Wonderful work of healing and support is unborn children have been aborted by abortion: “I would now like to say a spe - being carried out by various groups (for when diagnosed with cleft pallet or club cial word to women who have had an abor - example, Cura or Life) to help those affected foot, easily treatable with surgery. When tion. It is true that the decision to have an by abortion. One such group, present in abortion becomes available progres - abortion is appalling and painful. Decisions Ireland and abroad, is Rachel’s Vineyard sively the “defective” child is destroyed. that go against life sometimes arise from (www.rachelsvineyard.org. In Ireland, in com- The right to life becomes based on difficult or even tragic situations of profound plete confidence call Bernadette: some superficial definition of “normal”. suffering, loneliness, a total lack of eco - 087.8592877). It offers weekends for cou- Prenatal diagnosis is morally accept - nomic prospects, depression and anxiety ples, for mothers or fathers of aborted chil- able, “if it respects the life and integrity about the future or intense pressure from dren, as well as persons who have been of the embryo and the human foetus and others. Such circumstances can mitigate involved in the abortion industry. They come is directed toward its safeguarding or even to a notable degree subjective respon - in search of peace and inner healing from healing as an individual... It is gravely sibility and the consequent culpability of guilt, hurt and grief, often carried for years. opposed to the moral law when this is those who make these choices which in Because abortion is such a painful and done with the thought of possibly induc - themselves are evil. The Church is aware of emotive subject, many believers, including ing an abortion, depending upon the the many factors which may have influ - priests and religious, shy away from speak- results: a diagnosis must not be the enced your decision, and she does not ing of it. It is far easier and more socially equivalent of a death sentence.” doubt that in many cases it was a painful acceptable to speak out on care for the envi- (Catholic Catechism , 2274). The Lord is and even shattering decision. The wound in ronment or the ending of war than on this surely especially close to those couples your heart may not yet have healed. sensitive topic. Yet we are all called to who lovingly accept gravely handi - Certainly what happened was and remains capped children and care for them with terribly wrong. But do not give in to discour - “speak the truth in love”. And to shine the tenderness. Society needs the witness agement and do not lose hope. Try rather to light of God’s truth on this area where sodark- of their generous love. understand what happened and face it hon - mneuscsh rseoigrrno wis and a fcatl soef hgoeondu,i nde alothv ea.nd Help support our Missionaries Mission Enrolment cards €2.00 each: (Including post and packaging; no order too big or too small; enrolment offering contributes to the support of the Franciscan foreign missions.) All enrolled are remembered at special Masses offered daily for 1 year.  Make cheque payable to: Franciscan Missionary Union.  Maybe set up an order form.  6 different designs to choose from.

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St Anthony Brief 26 Witnesses to the Gospel in Haiti

FAITH IN ACTION FR GEARÓID Ó CONAIRE, OFM

Gearóid with Fra Columbanus and Fra Jean Luis, and with street children and youth at the home.

Gearóid Ó Conaire, n the last St Anthony Brief, I began to hope in difficult circumstances. Martin share some impressions from my visit Luther King Junior, a man who dedicated OFM, finds a passion for IIto Canada, Haiti and Central America his life to working in an active nonviolent during the summer, particularly in relation way for the freedom of his black brothers Christ and a passion for to contemporary witnesses of Gospel life and sisters in the United States, once humanity among the and mission. I would like to continue shar - said when asked what he would do if he ing about the work of other impressive had only one day to live, that he would friars in Haiti. Franciscan missionaries in Haiti who, in plant a tree. This epitomises an attitude of their own unique way, are sowing seeds of hope and determination, often despite the

Dec/jan 2013 27 lack of obvious signs of progress, of many missionary man and women I met in Haiti. Presently there are nine Finally- Professed friars: four Central Americans (two Salvadorians, a Guatemalan and a Panamanian) and five friars from others parts of the world, including a Chilean, Mexican, Belgian, Congolese and French- Canadian. There are 18 young Haitians in varying stages of formation, preparing themselves to be Friars Minor. There are three friaries in Port-au-Prince, the capi - tal: a parish, formerly run by the Salesians, a friary in the centre of the city surrounded by an open-air, informal food- market and a larger house on the out - skirts, built by a congregation of religious women, which now serves as a postu - lancy.

Fra Raymond Friars Raymond, Dempsy and Miguel in front of the provisional Twenty-five years ago in 1987, Fra friary in the settlement. Raymond Mailhiot, OFM, from Quebec spent six months in Haiti during a sabbati - requires a special vocation. He spent ten another Caribbean Island, where there is cal break. He was in his early 50s. He months trying to open a bank account. He a group of Secular Franciscans, but no was so moved by the poverty he encoun - eventually refused to leave the bank and member of the First Order. Most people tered that he vowed to return. After only then did he manage to get a positive are happy to be retired by 65 or 70 years receiving permission from his Province in response. He moved to the capital a few of age, but our friend obviously follows Quebec, Canada, he convinced the years ago when the mission in Pestel was some other logic! He is definitely a “fool newly-appointed first Provincial of Central closed. He works with some of the for Christ”. America to send friars to open a mission 200,000 displaced who, since the earth - in Haiti. They were entrusted with the quake, invaded hilly, barren lands on the Fra Columbanus Mission of the Cayemites Islands and outskirts of the capital. Life in this for - After twenty-two years working in East Pestel, about an hour from the southwest saken place is rough. There is no electric - Africa, Fra Columbanus, OFM, from coast of Haiti. During the embargo ity or running water, nor many of the basic Mexcio, at the age of 67, finds himself imposed by the United Nations after a services we take for granted in Ireland. It ministering in Haiti. He was recently coup in the 1990s, Raymond and a is somewhat similar to the informal devel - elected President of the numerically small Guatemalan friar, Dempsy Laorca, opments that sprung up in San Salvador but growing foundation of Friars Minor, accompanied a group of boat people during the war when people were forced which celebrates twenty-five years of escaping the island. It was at a time peo - to flee the violence. Raymond, now 78 presence in Haiti. He left Africa for seri - ple were leaving Haiti in desperation in years old, goes to the settlements every ous health reasons and had more or less search of a better life. Many were day. It is a tribute to him that he has resigned himself to stay in Mexico until he drowned or were turned back. Some were lasted 25 years in this mission, when the received an invitation to go to help in taken in by neighbouring countries. The average time for most friars has been 4/5 Haiti. friars wanted to highlight the plight of the years. He is supported economically by I want to tell you a little about this people. They took a calculated risk and many foundations and families in Canada extraordinary man, known as Columba to embarked with others on a make-shift and focuses on trying to provide basic the people. He probably had some raft, not knowing whether they too would necessities, such as electricity, water, French after working in Africa, but he had perish. They were eventually picked up by sanitation and employment opportunities. to learn it again, along with Creole, the the US coast-guard and brought to He celebrates the Eucharist in an old, language of the people. So at 66 years of Guantanamo Bay, a US base on the battered Red Cross tent, formerly used to age he began again. He inspires confi - Island of Cuba, long before it became house people following the earthquake. dence on first meeting him. He is a known for its infamous prison post 9/11. He is probably being ripped off on a regu - peaceful and loving man. One day he I had previously visited Haiti in 1993 lar basis, but doesn’t seem to be fazed. invited me to accompany him on his daily and, indeed, wrote two articles in the St He continues to believe in the people, to stroll around the market. Try to imagine a Anthony Brief about my experience. I treat them with respect and support them shabby and poky friary and church, dam - asked Raymond how long it took him to to the best of his ability, no matter what. aged by an earthquake, surrounded by get used to life in Haiti and to begin to His approach has its critics. He does not thousands of poor Haitians selling vegeta - understand the culture and its people. He expect too much success and responds bles, fruit and meat. They are mostly joked, but with a certain grain of truth, with wonderful tranquility to set-backs and women sitting beside small baskets with, that it was only since last year that so frustrations. And believe you me frustra - from a gringo’s perspective, not very many things began to make sense. tion is the order of the day. It is hard to enticing products. Each one competes, Patience is an important virtue here. In fathom, but Raymond is considering although I didn’t get the sense of cut- fact, he believes that mission to Haiti beginning a new mission on Martinique, throat competitiveness, with hundreds of

St Anthony Brief 28 others for a limited customer base. Alongside them I notice some blacker than black individuals covered with soot and dust. These are the charcoal sellers, only barely distinguishable from the back - ground by their smile and the light in their eyes. Beside them are men kneading flour into long sheets of undulating dough, soon to be cut into small pieces and shoved into a hot urn for tomorrow’s bread. We make our way through this mass of humanity, drowned out by a cacophony of noise, reaching a fever pitch as we approach the live animal sec - tion, mostly chickens and goats. Just round the corner the freshly harvested lean stringy meat is displayed on dirty Settlement: Fra Raymond tables covered with blood and guts, in front of a sign about engulfed by flies, but few seem to have Franciscan projects. the cash to think about going there. Yet, there is something strangely the diocesan seminary by a professor is obvious to me that he is a man of God. beautiful about the colour, the chaos and from the Democratic Republic of the He has become the Gospel. His options the energy of a people trying to make a Congo who is himself a Voodoo priest. are clear and his energy to be with the living in this, the poorest country in the Voodoo practices came from Africa with people is Spirit-led. Apart from renting a Western hemisphere. Despite the earth - the slaves and developed over the cen - house and organising the permanent care quake that killed an estimated 200,000 turies, incorporating and transforming for 15 street children, with the help of a and the toll of suffering and pain for thou - many Catholic symbols and rites. Catholic Chilean friar, a psychologist, a wonderful sands of survivors, mostly in the capital, saints represent Voodoo spirits. During project in itself, he is not defined by what the international focus and attention is colonial times slaves were forced to par - he does, but very definitely by who he is. helping to move Haitians and their coun - ticipate at the Catholic Mass and Voodoo He probably wouldn’t be described as an try forward. For example, a Canadian celebrations were outlawed. It was only organiser but is the man sent by divine health expert, teaching an MA course rehabilitated during the presidency of providence for this place just now. Similar here, whom I met on the flight down, told Jean-Bertrand Aristide in the 1990s. to the other friars, his passion for and me that all the health indexes, including In such a short period of time, fidelity to the people springs from his infant mortality, are improving despite the Columbanus has managed to insert him - commitment to Jesus Christ.  earthquake and new sources of infec - self into this difficult and complex reality. It tions, including cholera. [email protected]

The Gift of Presence Friar Columba does “presence” so effort - The extraordinary lessly. He knows everyone, many by Fra Columbanus name and everyone knows him. He stops with street children to chat, engages with each individual, expresses his joy to be with them and at the home. moves on. This is a daily ritual. He is like the pied piper with a gang of children and young people following behind. It is obvi - ous that he is loved and the people love him. Following the earthquake he and the friars from his fraternity accepted a pro - ject supported by Hindu monks to provide hot food daily for the neediest children and their mothers. It is still on-going. On the rounds we visited a Voodoo temple but there was no ceremony taking place. The walls were decorated with colourful symbols. An altar at the side of the room had a cross and was surrounded by human skulls, liquor bottles and other objects. I was not permitted to take pho - tos. Columbanus knows these people. In fact, the Catholic Church is trying to establish a dialogue with Voodoo priests. The seminarians are taught a course at

Dec/jan 2013 29 MISSION DIGEST

Some of the pilgrims.

MUTEMWA: Celebrating the Servant of God, John Bradburne

Br Alfred Patience Tigere.

Celebrants Fr Linous Mukumbuzi, OFM, The dancers. and deacon Naison Manjovha, OFM.

30 Letters to the Editor

Dear Father, Dear Fr Bernard Jones, The St Anthony Brief whi ch I have being ge gazine is extremely for more tting The ma years than I want to remember keeps ting every month. getting better and interes better. I especiall Pa y enjoyed Fr ed the issue with t Conlan’s recent I particularly lik article about the b exhib eautiful s in ition on Francisca the article “Franciscan n Faith in the Col Barrack lins d, s Museum in Dubl ion” wrien by my frien in. I “stumbled” up Educat it last year on when visiting the y. I wrote to him museum with some Fr Ulic Tro American relative s. As a member of I have no doubt Or the Third immediately, and der it was of partic ular interest to me ent I got so when hat schooling is a differ the chance I went t back later to spend time to vi more these days from my ew the wonderful d maer isplay and to read about the history o days at the Loreto! f the Order in Irel schools a p and. It is ity that such exhib itions are not bett , public er My best wishes ised; at least I had not heard of it. As Franciscan ghue, s we have a rich a (Mrs) Miriam O’Dono nd proud history in this country. Dublin 4. God’s bles sing on your work. Imelda P. Dun Laoghaire Co. Dublin Dear Editor,

The article about Fr Murray Bodo’s book on the life of St Francis, The Journey and the Dream, brought back happy memories for me. Way back in the 1980s when I was at college and struggling with my faith I came across that book by accident. I would not have been open to reading anything churchy or pious but that beautiful poetic book gave me a new sense of Please write God’s presence a nd a new beginning in my your letters, faith. I am sure that it has touched the lives of comments and many people ove r the years. Thank God for Fr suggestions, to: Bodo and his gi ft of communicating God’s The Editor, love. St Anthony Brief, Yours sincerely, Franciscan Jim Doyle, Missionary Union, Cork City. Merchants’ Quay, Dublin 8.

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