From the Columbans

MEDIA RELEASE FROM THE MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF ST. COLUMBAN

COLUMBAN FATHER PATRICK O’DONOGHUE SENDS AND UPDATE FROM THE FLOOD RAVAGED PHILIPPINES

January 9, 2012

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kate Kenny

Communications Director

Missionary Society of St. Columban, U.S. Region

877/299-1920

kkenny@columban.org

ST. COLUMBANS, Neb.— Columban father Patrick O’donoghue sends and update from the flood ravaged Philippines

I arrived in Cagayan de Oro in the early afternoon of Monday, January 2.  The signs of the calamity were visible from the air as we approached the airport, but the full extent of the damage hits you when you stand on the river bank or visit those places where whole neighborhoods were simply washed away.

The damage to the water system was such that most of Cagayan still did not have running water when I arrived.  On the way from the airport we saw groups of people surrounding trucks or fire hydrants where water was being dispensed while others were coming and going with all kinds of water containers – the innovative spirit of people once more shining through the difficulties.  Drinking water was also being dispensed at points set up by the Red Cross and others who had large water purifying machines.   The lack of water leads to many difficulties one of which is the difficulty people have in doing any kind of cleaning up. Water was restored to the western side of Cagayan by Thursday, January 5, a big help.

Holy Rosary Parish, which is served by the Columbans, was affected but, when compared to other parts of Cagayan and Iligan, only relatively so.  Fr. Paul Finlayson estimates about 100 families are affected with about 30 homes destroyed.   Food and other immediate necessities have been provided for these families.  At a meeting on Tuesday, January 3, attended by most Columbans in Mindanao, it was agreed that we will continue to cooperate with the Archdiocese of Cagayan who are doing a very good job of coordinating the relief operations, without prejudice to the specific needs of the parish.   

What is the more pressing need now is that of rehabilitation, which must include relocation for most of those affected.   There is little point in rebuilding homes in those areas that could be hit again in the immediate future.  Getting this right and utilizing all the help that has been promised by the Government, foreign governments, aid agencies and private individuals is both a priority and a challenge. In the meanwhile, there is a need for some kind of intermediate accommodation so that people can get back to some normality. We will continue to provide any further “immediate” aid where it is seen to be genuinely needed.

The effort now is to get people out of the evacuation centers which are mostly schools and churches and into temporary accommodation.   Archbishop Ledesma in his pastoral letter just before Christmas urged those who were not affected to “adopt” a family and care for them not only during Christmas but also in the coming months until that family can go to a more permanent home.  Of course, relatives are already doing this for their own families, but one of the fears that some people have is that if they leave the evacuation centers now they might lose their status as genuine claimants on the aid that is promised.  There are a number of tent communities being set up also to give each family some way of being together.  

There is a lot of pain not only for those directly affected but also for those who heard the cries of others for help and were unable to do anything. I’m not sure that time will heal all this, but certainly God can and the faith of many of these people is both challenging and humbling.  One eight year old boy who lost his mother and two of his siblings had found a photo of her and would look at it and say, “I will see you in Heaven Mommy.”

There are the happy stories too: the child who was saved by riding on the back of a neighbor’s Labrador retriever dog.  The owners of the dog were not at home when the tragedy struck.  Or my little friend Cedric, who is all of four years old, who clung to a floating refrigerator when he got separated from his parents.  He was found by fishermen several miles away later that morning still astride the fridge. 

There is much more that could be added to this, but I simply want to give you some snapshots of the situation as I experienced it.  In truth it reduced me to silence, or more accurately perhaps, it called to silence.  In so many ways it is overwhelming and yet people do what they can and many have sent help.  At times I felt like an intruder, but as I listened to the stories and simply held a hand or embraced the person, I was glad I was there and privileged to be with such people.   

I want to thank all those who have sent in money to our fund and to assure you that we will continue to monitor the situation in both Cagayan and Iligan so as to best use the money we have received.  As I mentioned above, we see the greater need now to be that of rehabilitation and that is probably where we will use most of the money left in the fund and any that will get added to it.  I hope that this is acceptable to all of you.

Finally, on this Feast of the Epiphany, may Jesus show His face to all those who are still suffering so terribly.  May He also show His face to those who, by the help they send, the prayers they make or their work on the ground, have become that face of Christ for others.

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About the Columbans: The Missionary Society of St. Columban, also known as the Columban Fathers, is a Catholic missionary society that was founded in 1918 to proclaim and witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ. The Society seeks to establish the Catholic Church where the Gospel has not been preached, help local churches evangelize their laity, promote dialogue with other faiths, and foster among all baptized people an awareness of their missionary responsibility.

The Society’s U.S. headquarters are based in Bellevue, Neb., which is south of Omaha.

December 23 crucial day for the DRC?

Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) - "Military presence in Kinshasa is massive. So far there have not been major clashes, but the tension is evident", said local Church sources to Fides contacted in the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the confrontation between President Joseph Kabila and the leader of the opposition Etienne Tshisekedi does not seem to calm down. The latter yesterday said he considers himself the "elected President", despite the Supreme Court has confirmed Kabila's victory at the presidential elections which were held on 28 November.
"Tomorrow, December 20, Kabila should take possession of the Presidency, while Tshisekedi announced that on Friday, December 23 he will appoint himself as President, and has given orders to arrest Kabila" the sources told Fides. "And this is the crucial day, when one will be able to understand the dimension of the problem and conflict, given the strong military presence. One will see then, on the one hand, Tshisekedi’s capacity to mobilize society and provoke a popular backlash that could undermine the government, and secondly, what the reaction of the army will be".
In this delicate stage of the DRC’s life, the missionaries Network "Peace for Congo," launch an alarm about the future of the country. "Demonstrations of the opposition, the heavy hand of the military forces of the State to repress opponents, deaths among civilians, the resurgence of old tensions between province supporters of either candidate (Katanga and Kasai), statements of associations and national and international institutions on the voting and counting procedures, individual positions taken ... time passes, while the people’s mood is restless", is what is stated in a document sent to Agenzia Fides. "In these days, especially the heavy hand of those in power seems to dominate, with a police force that, in many cases acted brutally, causing the murder of civilians. Increasing risk of installing a dictatorship with violent means, in the guise of a democracy?"
"It is important, more than ever in this period, to keep ones eyes open on the DRC, civil society asks us, the entire population asks us. We must bring these people as part of our interest, our solidarity, and, for those who believe, in our prayer", conclude the missionaries. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 19/12/2011)

The Korean bishops: "The death of Kim Jong-il may be the beginning of a turning point, for reunification"

Seoul (Agenzia Fides) - "The death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il may be the beginning of a turning point for the path of reunification of the Koreas. We hope that the Lord gives light and strength to the North Korean brothers so that there is a return for a policy focused on dialogue, peace, reconciliation": this is what was said to Fides by His Exc. Mgr. Peter Kang, Bishop of Cheju and President of the Episcopal Conference of South Korea, commenting on the death of dictator Kim Jong-il, replaced by the designated successor, his 30-year-old son Kim Jong-un.
Mgr. Peter Kang explains to Fides: "We did not expect such an event. We hope that this will become a reason to develop a path of reunification. We do not know in detail the current political situation in North Korea. There is also the possibility that there is a settling time, before having a defined stability, because the new leader Kim Jong-un is very young, only 30 years old, he has no political experience and does not seem to have the Korean people’s confidence". The Bishop continues: "No one knows him. He is a leader who has suddenly appeared. Our hopes are always towards the beginning of a journey of peace and reconciliation. This event could be a sign that the Lord wants a fundamental transformation in the country".
According to rev. Kim Tea Sung, Deputy Secretary General of the "Korean Conference of Religion for Peace" (KCRP), "the country's future is a very delicate issue now." "The death of the dear leader - Rev. Kim explains to Fides. - could leave a void and create very serious problems at a social and political level. We hope that in the North there is no conflict, which would bring further suffering to the people".
Rev. Kim hopes to continue the relationship of exchange and dialogue between religious leaders of the North and South: "We have no official reaction yet from the North or the South. We have scheduled a meeting, most probably to be held on December 22 in North Korea, to prepare the arrival in the south of a delegation of religious leaders from the North. The trip should take place next year, as part of a path of bilateral meetings, after the visit of the religious leaders from the South, who went to Pyongynag in September 2011. Our hope is that this exchange process continues, even with the new political leadership in the North, to reinforce a climate of cordiality and friendship between North and South Korea". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 19/12/2011)

NEW EVANGELISATION IS NOT AN ABSTRACT CONCEPT

VATICAN CITY, 17 DEC 2011 (VIS) - This morning in the Vatican, Benedict XVI received prelates from the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference and the Conferentia Episcopalis Pacifici, who have just completed their "ad limina" visit.

  In his address to the group, the Pope spoke of the challenges "which are common to all of you, in spite of the many social, economic and cultural contexts in which you work". In particular, he mentioned secularism and its "significant impact on the understanding and practice of the Catholic faith. This is seen specifically in a weakened appreciation for the sacred nature of Christian marriage and the stability of the family", he said.

  "Ultimately, Christian faith provides a surer basis for life than the secular vision. ... Thus, the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelisation was recently established. Since the Christian faith is founded on the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ, the new evangelisation is not an abstract concept but a renewal of authentic Christian living based on the teachings of the Church. You, as bishops and pastors, are called to be protagonists in formulating this response according to local needs and circumstances in your various countries and among your peoples".

  Benedict XVI then reminded the prelates of the importance of caring for their priests, "especially those who are experiencing difficulties and those who have little contact with their brother priests. ... In our day young people need more assistance with spiritual discernment so that they may know the Lord's will. In a world affected by a 'profound crisis of faith', ensure too that your seminarians receive a well-rounded formation". The Pope also acknowledged the "significant contribution" made by religious to the work of evangelisation, and the contribution of the lay faithful.

  "I have had this opportunity to discuss with you the new evangelisation, I do so mindful of the recently proclaimed Year of Faith, which 'is intended to give a fresh impetus to the mission of the whole Church to lead human beings out of the wilderness in which they find themselves'. May this privileged time serve as an inspiration as you join the entire Church in the ongoing efforts of the new evangelisation, for although you are spread among many islands and we are separated by great distances, together we profess 'one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all'".

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USCMA Mission Conference makes Vatican News!

Miami (Agenzia Fides) - "The USCMA Annual Mission Conference is probably the only national Conference that brings together missionaries (religious men and women, lay people, diocesan directors and clergy) together in the same room, to dialogue about mission, deepen their mission perspectives and to promote collaboration and networking":This is what Fr. Michael Montoya, MJ, USCMA Executive Director states, in a note sent to Fides on the recent Conference held in Miami, from October 28 to 30, to celebrate USCMAs 30th Anniversary (see Fides 02/09/2011) .

To celebrate its anniversary, USCMA treated the participants with a narrative of the colourful beginnings of USCMA and then highlighting all Mission Conferencesorganized by USCMA for the past 30 years, reminding participants of the themes and the Mission Awardees for each year. "What rich history USCMA! And what privilege to be part of such a dynamic group", underlined Mrs. Teresita Gonzalez de la Maza, current President of the USCMAs, who said: "The conference was wonderful! It allowed for the embodiment of all gathered to recall their baptism, their mission identity. The missioners who gathered came with joy and open hearts!"There were three keynotes that called for each participant to recall the life of a missioner. Fr. Steven Bevans, SVD, world renowned mission scholar and noted professor of missiology from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago reflected on the theme "Blessings and Challenges of Communion and Missionary Discipleship"; Sister Madge Karecki, SSJ-TOSF, a theologian and currently working as the Executive Director of the Office of Mission Education and Animation of the Archdiocese of Chicago who presented an exegesis of Luke 5, 1-11 from the missionary perspective of "let down the nets for a catch ..."; the United States Ambassador to the Holy See Miguel H. Diaz, known for his work as a theologian and his commitment to the formation of future ministers in the Church, shared his insights on the theme "Missionary Activity, Diplomacy, and Common Good."

Conference participants took part in the Eucharistic celebration in the local Haitian church, dedicated to Notre Dame d’Haiti, presided by the Archbishop of Miami, His Exc. Mgr.Thomas Wenski, who in his homily warned the missionaries "Do not go to the missions with the 'messiah complex': there is only one Messiah, and he is not you." (SL) (Agenzia Fides 07/11/2011)

Cardinal Foley has died

Cardinal John Foley, who for 25 years was the voice for American viewers of the Vatican's Christmas Midnight Mass and who led an ancient Catholic order in the Holy Land, died Sunday. He was 76.
 

Foley died at the Villa St. Joseph in suburban Darby, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia said. The cause of death was not given.
In 1984, Foley was appointed to lead the Pontifical Council of Social Communications, which spearheaded Vatican initiatives under the media-savvy Pope John Paul II to get out the Church's message through the media.

In a world of prelates who were often ill at ease when speaking with journalists, or who used convoluted phrases to express a concept, Foley's down-to-earth, straightforward manner of engaging with the public was a refreshing departure.

Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi described Foley as being a man “truly of great spiritual level.”

“He incarnated, in the best way, the friendly, open, attentive relationship, of the Church in the world of social communications, not so much as an `impersonal' world, but as a world of persons,” Lombardi told Vatican Radio.

“He understood and encouraged our work with all his heart,” said Lombardi, who also directs Vatican Radio.

In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI named Foley the Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. The order supports schools, health institutions and serves basic needs for the poorest people of all faiths in the region.

“I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Cardinal John Foley,” said Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput. “Cardinal Foley was a man of great apostolic energy. Anyone who met him was immediately aware of his intense love for the church and his zeal for communicating the Gospel. By the sheer force of his personality, he drew people to the faith and to himself.”

Foley was born in Darby. From there, he went to St. Joseph's College, graduating in 1957, and then to seminary. He was ordained in 1962. He also earned a master's degree in journalism at Columbia University.

When he returned to Philadelphia in 1966, he was named assistant pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish and was part of the faculty at Cardinal Dougherty High School from 1967 to 1984.

Foley was admired for his media expertise. He served as the assistant editor and Vatican correspondent for Philadelphia's archdiocesan newspaper, The Catholic Standard & Times, and was its editor-in-chief from 1970 to 1984. He also co-produced and co-hosted the Philadelphia Catholic Hour on WFIL radio.

“I was pleased that he was able to come home during the final months of his life,” Chaput said. “No matter where he lived or how he served the Church over the years, he always considered Philadelphia his home.”

Archbishop Edwin O'Brien, who replaced Foley this year as leader of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, called Foley a man dedicated to Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church and to helping people understand it.

“He was a gifted evangelizer, explaining Catholic teaching and practice clearly and thoroughly and often with a self-deprecating humor,” O'Brien said. “He has long been regarded as the patriarch of the American Catholic press.” 

He also was a member of the Broadcast Pioneers.

Most Religious Believers Favor International Efforts To Curb Climate Change, Nuclear Risks, Poverty

December 6, 2011: A majority of Americans professing a belief in God, favor cooperative international efforts to combat climate change, environmental degradation, and the spread of nuclear weapons - branding them a moral obligation - says a new public opinion poll conducted jointly by the University of Maryland's Center for International and Security Studies at Maryland (CISSM) and its Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA).

The nearly 1,500 Americans surveyed include large numbers of Catholics and Evangelicals.
The study, Faith and Global Policy Challenges: How Spiritual Values Shape Views on Poverty, Nuclear Risks, and Environmental Degradation, also finds that a majority of "believers" consider addressing global poverty a "spiritual obligation," and think that the United States should work cooperatively with other nations to reduce it.

"This research challenges common political stereotypes that pigeonhole religious Americans as liberal or conservative on environmental and nuclear proliferation issues," says University of Maryland Public Policy Professor and study co-author John Steinbruner, who directs CISSM.

"These findings demonstrate the public's strong moral impulse to address global policy challenges -- an impulse that if applied properly could break the current impasse on these issues," Steinbruner adds.

Though most believers in the study do not consider addressing environmental and nuclear risks to be spiritual obligations, they do understand these issues as a part of "good stewardship," the study finds.

"While for many believers there is a tenuous connection between their spiritual values and issues related to the environment and the risk of nuclear war, they are nonetheless very responsive to the idea that there is an obligation to protect God's creation, or to be good stewards of the earth," explains study co-author Steven Kull, director of PIPA.

[Read the Full Report (PDF).]