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The Far East
COLUMBAN MISSION MAGAZINE
Destruction of May 2021
housing in Pakistan
Hundreds of families left homeless after
Government Officials bulldoze their homes.
PRICE $1.50
The Far East Contents
May 2021
Vol 103, No. 4
THE FAR EAST is devoted to furthering
the missionary apostolate of the
church and has been published by the
Missionary Society of St Columban
since October 15, 1920.
THE SOCIETY was founded in Ireland
4-5 6-7
in 1918 as a society of secular priests
dedicated to the evangelisation of the
Chinese people.
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AUSTRALIA
St Columbans Mission Society
69 Woodland Street
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Postal address:
PO Box 752, Niddrie Vic 3042
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NEW ZEALAND
St Columban's Mission Society
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www.columban.org.nz
3 From the Editor 16 Mission World
Publisher: Pope Francis calls for clean
4-5 A man on a mission drinking water and sanitation
Fr Peter O'Neill Disadvantaged children’s lives for all
leaderaus@columban.org.au transformed in a poor area of
Lima, Peru. 17 From the Director
Editor: The significance of the
6-7 Destruction of housing in liturgical seasons
Mrs Janette Mentha
Pakistan
TFE@columban.org.au Hundreds of families left 18-19 From COVID Philippines
homeless after Government to COVID Brexit Ireland
Editorial Assistant:
Officials bulldoze their homes.
Fr Ray Scanlon 20-21 With gratitude to the
8-9 Easter Columbans
Designer & Editorial Assistant: Easter ceremonies leave a A former member of the
Mrs Assunta Arena lasting impact on a small boy Columban Supporters’ Group
TFE@columban.org.au of five. in Korea writes a letter of
gratitude to Columban Fathers.
10-11 Chaplaincy to the Chinese
diaspora in Ireland 22-23 Funerals in Fiji
Columban Fr Pat Colgan writes
12-13 Of such legends are made about the communal nature of
14-15 I left Peru in a wheelchair funerals in Fiji.
St Columbans Mission Property Columban Fr John Hegerty 23 Your Columban Legacy
Association A.B.N. 17 686 524 625
writes a heartbreaking
Printed by Doran Printing, Melbourne
reflection.
The Far East
COLUMBAN MISSION MAGAZINE
Destruction of May 2021
housing in Pakistan
Hundreds of families left homeless after
Government Officials bulldoze their homes. Destruction of housing in Pakistan
Homes bulldozed in Pakistan leave
thousands in crisis.
Photo: Eric Siraj
PRICE $1.50
From the Editor
D
uring the Easter Vigil last year Pope Francis prayed: On his return to Australia, Columban Fr John Hegerty writes
"May the hearts of those who have enough be open to a heart-breaking reflection on leaving the people of Peru in
filling the empty hands of those who do not have the their dark night and of his fear that only God can lead them
bare necessities." He went on to say that Easter is a time of out.
hope in our troubled world. Pope Francis, on World Water Day, has asked for a call to
In this issue of The Far East magazine the message of hope action for those who do not have access to clean water and
for the world is reflected in articles from many countries sanitation.
where Columbans work. In his column, Fr Trevor Trotter talks about the significance
We lead with a story of hope and generosity in Peru where of the liturgical seasons. He asks the question, “What is the
Columban Fr Tony Coney's concern for disadvantaged liturgical year telling me about my life by having Easter and
children has transformed many young lives in a poor area of Pentecost?”
Lima. Back in Ireland, Columban Fr Michael (Mickey) Martin gives
In Pakistan, we learn of hundreds of homes bulldozed by us an insight into what it was like spending more than half
Government officials because they were making the cities a century in the Philippines and the challenges he faces
of Hyderabad and Karachi more flood-prone. The Rome- settling in back home.
based Bureau Chief of Crux magazine recently interviewed A former member of the Columban Supporters' Group in
Columban Fr Robert McCulloch about the crisis. Fr Robert Korea, Kim Chong-hwan, now living in Australia, writes of
hopes that some church land can be donated to rebuild the his heartfelt gratitude to the Columban Fathers for their
homes. friendship and support both in Korea and upon his arrival in
In the reflection Fr McCulloch recalls his experiences of Australia.
attending the Easter ceremonies as a small boy of five in From Fiji, Columban Fr Pat Colgan writes about the burial
Australia, followed many years later conducting Easter of a parishioner and compares the communal nature of the
ceremonies himself in the Philippines, Pakistan and Rome. ceremony to how it used to be in Ireland.
After working in Hong Kong as a nurse for 40 years, In response to the Easter message of new life and hope, let
Columban Sr Mary Greaney returned to Ireland where she us pray that our hearts will be open to fill
set up a chaplaincy to the Chinese community. the empty hands of those who need our
This year commemorates 500 years since the arrival of care and mercy.
Christianity in the Philippines. As part of acknowledging
this milestone, Columban Fr Jim Mulroney explains the
significance of festival and dance where the small statue of
the kingly boy Jesus has become one of the symbols of the Janette Mentha
Christian faith. tfe@columban.org.au
The Far East - May 2021 3
A man on a mission FR JOHN BOLES
How Irish Columban Fr Tony Coney’s concern for disadvantaged children
transformed many young lives in a poor area of Lima, Peru.
"F
or me, life began at 40”, laughs Fr Tony Coney, of 1,200.” As to the day-to-day activities, Tony has adopted
remembering how he arrived in Lima on his 40th the “A. S. Neill system”. “The kids do whatever they want - arts
birthday. (In addition, the date was August 30, and crafts, play, homework, reading, theatre, music, dance,
providentially the Feast Day of the city’s patron, St Rose of computers, and the lot. There are no ‘closed doors’. Children
Lima.) get the chance to BE children, with no adults telling them what
Tony came as a man with a mission. For years he’d dreamed they have to do.” Instead, the children themselves come
of setting up a project to help needy children. He knew all together to agree on their own norms and rules.
about children, coming as he did from a family of seven. Tony called it, St Bernadette’s Children’s Centre. Why choose
However, his interest in disadvantaged children sprang St Bernadette? “After buying the house, I had no money
from his experiences as a newly ordained priest working in to renovate it, so I wrote to my home parish in Belfast - St
his native Belfast during the early 1990s where the poverty Bernadette’s. Theirs was the first donation I ever got, so I
and violence of the Northern Irish “Troubles” had taken its adopted their name.”
toll especially on the young.
Unfortunately, from the outset, there was a problem which
Tony was also inspired by the writings of pioneer Scottish perhaps vexed Tony more than any other, and that was the
educationalist A. S. Neill who, in his seminal work ugly matter of child sex abuse. It soon became clear that
“Summerhill”, had advocated a completely new approach this was rife in the area. Worse still, the abuser was often
to rearing “difficult” children. “The idea was for those children living under the same roof as the child. “The subject was
to be given freedom, the scope for self-expression. This really ‘taboo’, no-one wanted to listen. Meanwhile, the kids remained
resonated with me”, Tony recalls. in abusive situations”. Consequently, “the idea arose that we
In Peru, he found himself in a huge parish on the northern needed a residential home, where the child could be separated
outskirts of the capital where shantytowns sprawled from the situation and get therapy until the legal set-up in the
endlessly over the barren hills. Here, the children suffered family could be resolved”.
from poor diet, poor housing, poor education, poor And so, it was that a second centre was born, St Bernadette’s
everything. Home, with a 36-place capacity. “Now, attitudes have
Tony’s chance came in 1997. “A house became available. I changed”, explains Tony. “People are more conscious of the
bought it with my ordination money.” He made it into a day problem and open to doing something about it. We work with
centre for needy youngsters. “We started with six volunteers the Government. They refer cases to us. We still meet with
and about 100 children. In a few months, we had 300. After a resistance, from the police for instance, but that’s where our
year, we had to extend. Irish Aid paid for the extension.” defence desk comes in. We more or less force them to act.”
Tony also increased the services on offer, employing Meantime, St Bernadette’s Child Protection Programme
psychologists, speech therapists and social workers. The seeks to combat the threat of child abuse in the wider
latter staffed a “defence desk” to cater for children at risk. community. “We go into schools, do formation courses for
“Nowadays we receive up to 400 kids a day, from a weekly pool pupils, teachers and parents, get them to set up protection
Photos: Asociación Civil Santa Bernadita, Atonio Saula Seeto
4 The Far East - May 2021
PERU
teams.” Up until now they’ve gone into some 30 schools and
prepared thousands of children. “In 2019 we reached exactly
10,016 children”, adds Tony proudly. But, as you address
one issue, another appears. Tony’s team quickly noticed
that many of the youngsters in the day centre displayed
learning difficulties not necessarily because they weren’t
bright, but because of the emotional difficulties they were
experiencing at home. This awareness moved Tony to found
a third premises, St Bernadette’s Remedial School.
Here, he explains, children can “attend for a year or so, come
up to standard and go back into mainstream education,
given that they’ve often been thrown out of the state system
because of low grades.” Up to 120 pupils at a time reap the
benefits of this initiative. Taking stock after over 25 years,
Tony’s dream has realized itself in the form of three centres,
65 paid staff and a child protection outreach programme,
almost all financed by overseas donors (many of whom are
The Far East magazine readers). He says that the priority now
is, “to sustain all this. The goal is to make it permanent. We’ve
achieved a lot, but…a way to go yet!”
Tony’s life may have begun at 40, but a great many people
in Lima are hoping it’ll go on for a long time yet.
Columban Fr John Boles has worked in South America for the last 25
years.
In the words of a student:
For many years, Christina has been connected with
St Bernadette’s Day Centre. This is what she told us.
“When I started school I went every day to the library in
the Centre, where the staff helped me with my homework.
They were very patient and I was able to go on learning. In
the workshops, I learned how to make bracelets, necklaces,
keyrings and many other things.
At home, though, often I felt very lonely and sad because my
parents separated and my Mum had to go out to work. Even
now at times, I feel sad because I have several brothers and
sisters and I have to look after the smaller ones and feel as if
I’m the mother who has to do everything. It’s because of this
that in the Children’s Centre I can forget all my sadness and
problems.”
Photo (left): Overview of all three Centres in Lima, Peru.
St Bernadette's Children's Centre is the yellow triangular Fr Tony Coney in Lima, Peru.
construction on top of a hill.
The Far East - May 2021 5
Destruction of housing in Pakistan
In March the houses of 450 Catholic families in Pakistan were destroyed and those
of 1,000 Christians will be bulldozed by Government officials in upcoming days.
C
olumban Fr Robert McCulloch who worked in owned land. This, he said, has been a reality for the past
Pakistan for 34 years was interviewed about this 30 or 40 years, when people from the northern province
human disaster by Inés San Martín, the Rome Bureau of Punjab moved towards the growing cities in the south
Chief for Crux (an independent news service covering the of the country to seek jobs. Most were peasant farmers
Vatican and the Catholic Church). working the land of feudal landlords and living in villages
that had reflected their culture and pattern of life for several
Christians from Kali Mori in the city of Hyderabad in
centuries.
Pakistan suddenly found themselves without a home after
the Supreme Court ruled that municipal officials had to free The ongoing mechanization of agriculture in the early
encroached lands both in Hyderabad and in Karachi. They 1970s disrupted both the structure of land-tenure and its
ruled that the homes are on state-owned land and that use and the traditional patterns of rural life. This led to a
their presence makes the cities of Hyderabad and Karachi major demographic change in Pakistan as people moved
more flood-prone by blocking the path of rainwater to the from the land to the cities. This process of mass movement
sea and obstructing access to canals connected to the Indus happened just after Hyderabad and Karachi in the south
River. had been able to adjust to the problems created 30 years
earlier. At that time in 1947, the influx of several million
The houses were first built 40 years ago and are legally
Muslim refugees from India to Pakistan after communal
connected to the public electricity, gas and water grids.
rioting afflicted the newly emerged nations of Pakistan
“This is a civic crisis and human tragedy. Municipal authorities
and India. This new mass movement of people has caused
are responding to the civic crisis, but not to the human tragedy”
unplanned large-scale urbanization that continues even
said Australian Fr Robert McCulloch, the Rome-based
now. It was and is characterized by the absence of town
Rector of Collegio San Colombano who lived in Pakistan
planning and by social crises and civil breakdown.
from 1978 to 2011.
When people first began to arrive in the 1970s, Christians,
He told Crux that there has been a perennial encroachment
mostly Catholics, began settling in fringes around
problem in Pakistan, with people occupying Government-
6 The Far East - May 2021
INÉS SAN MARTÍN PAKISTAN
Hyderabad and they settled in temporary shacks that “Had their grandfathers and fathers been told when they
eventually became permanent homes. arrived that they couldn’t settle and to instead go a little bit
further out in the city where there was available and fairly
“There is no doubt that the land they’re on is encroached,”
cheap land to buy, they would have done so. Most of those
Fr McCulloch said. “But they have long been connected to
who arrived back then didn’t know how to read and write,
the water and gas grids, which gave a sense of stability to the
which made them more gullible to believe whatever civil
people living there. The fact that they were all paying taxes to
authorities told them" said Fr McCulloch.
representatives of the municipal council in their areas, either
over or under the table, made them believe they had some sort “From their point of view, they asked if they could put their
of legal claim over the land.” homes there and were told yes. But from that minute they were
told to pay taxes” he said. “The people who enabled them
Fr McCulloch said that the community saw Government
charged them taxes of one sort or another instead of telling
officials providing them with public services and no one
them not to build their homes there.”
told them they illegally inhabited the land.
Making an already bad situation worse, the thousands
This continued for decades until the homes became a
who have overnight found themselves homeless are
liability. “Some 450 Christian families, in a particular area
having trouble finding homes to rent in both Karachi and
that I know, lost their homes in the past six days and when
Hyderabad because of the sudden increase in demand and
they complained to the police and officials who were there
soaring rents.
to oversee the destruction, they were told that they were
encroaching,” said Fr McCulloch. The situation is made worse by the fact the Government is
not likely to do anything to help those affected.
The people, whose homes in Kali Mori have been destroyed
due to encroachment, bitterly comment that Pakistan’s In 2011 St Elizabeth Hospital in Hyderabad set up the
Prime Minister, Imran Khan, also built his mansion on Bethlehem Shelter Society to buy land and build homes
encroached public land at Banigala near Islamabad but his for the many people who lost their homes in the massive
home has not been bulldozed. Even though encroachment floods that year and in 2010. Eight hundred and seventy
is happening all over the country some encroachers can get five families, mainly Hindu, received help and are now
away with it. safely housed. Fr McCulloch said he hopes to buy land that
the Church can donate to these newly affected homeless
Fr Robert said that in the coming weeks there will be
Christian families so that they can begin rebuilding with the
another 1,000 Christian families who will lose their homes,
certainty they will have title to the land.
as the bulldozers and tractors continue to bring down the
homes.
Inés San Martín is an Argentinian journalist and Rome Bureau Chief
for Crux news service.
Photos: Eric Siraj
The Far East - May 2021 7
Easter FR ROBERT MCCULLOCH
A The carriage with the statue of the
holy memory from my childhood remains with
me. I was 5 years old. I remember going with my
father through the mud and slush of early 1950’s Dead Christ was left alone. But, as
suburban Melbourne to St Patrick’s Church in Mentone.
Morning, a long ceremony. Much later on, I realized that I
the procession moved off, several
was attending the Easter Vigil ceremonies that were then black-clothed men with bowed
celebrated in the morning of Holy Saturday. Was I as a small
child experiencing what the Russians felt when they came
heads came and began to push
to Constantinople in 988AD searching for faith and found it this carriage.
in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy? Who says children
don’t know?
Fast forward again to Easter in the Sindh at Badin in
Fast forward to Talisayan in 1972, a smallish but south-east Pakistan in 1985. Most Catholics were
mountainous rural parish of 25,000 Catholics in the agricultural labourers whom the Muslim landlords would
southern Philippines. After the 3 pm Liturgy on Good Friday allow only one day for an Easter holiday. They were able
the statues of the Passion were outside the Church on small to come to the Church on Holy Saturday evening and they
carriages waiting to be drawn in a procession in sadness came in their hundreds with catechumens who would be
and tears of mourning through the town. received into the Church that night and with many seekers
Each statue was surrounded by its devotees ready to push and inquirers.
the carriage, especially the statue of the Virgin Mary draped All through the evening and night of Holy Saturday the
in black and with her heart pierced by a sword. The carriage ceremonies and events from Holy Thursday until Easter
with the statue of the Dead Christ was left alone. But, as were celebrated in one continuous rite, together with
the procession moved off, several black-clothed men with catechesis, film, rest periods (we provided everyone with a
bowed heads came and began to push this carriage. They thin mattress and a quilt as the night weather was always
were the thugs, the social trespassers, the havoc-makers cold at Easter time in Badin on the fringes of the Thar
of the town. The age-old traditional custom drew them Desert), and a good meal, as was shared by Our Lord with
to push the carriage and to publicly ask forgiveness from his apostles on Holy Thursday night, and tea.
their Crucified Christ and the townspeople. No one in the
Everyone’s feet were washed during the commemoration
procession said anything but everyone knew that this was
of the events of Holy Thursday, women by the Sisters and
the time of soul-healing and forgiveness. I began hearing
catechists’ wives, men by the priests and the catechists.
confessions in the Church immediately after the procession.
Profound silence, tubs of muddy water continually replaced
After about 9 pm when the church seemed to be empty
as most people had walked in bare feet. And later, the
and was mostly dark, I am sure that it was these same
lighting of the Easter fire and the Easter Candle with drums
violent social trespassers who came for the sacrament of
beating and fireworks exploding and shouts of joy. And
reconciliation. The town had already forgiven them as they
then the catechumens received into the Church with their
pushed the Dead Christ through the town and now they
commitment and promise to present someone else for
came to the church to confess and be forgiven by their
instruction during the coming year and reception at the
Christ.
next Easter.
Fast forward again to Easter 1980 in Narowal, a big rural
Now fast forward to Rome since 2011. Although I have never
parish in northern Pakistan, up where Punjab meets with
much cared to go to St Peter’s for the Holy Week and Easter
India and Kashmir. After three celebrations of the Easter
Vigil ceremonies, coming on Easter Sunday to St Peter’s
Vigil ceremonies on Holy Saturday night and Masses all
Square at noon with hundreds of thousands of cheering
through Easter morning, it was then out on a motorcycle
Romans and fervent pilgrims to receive the Urbi et Orbi
for the next eight days of the Easter Octave. Three or four
blessing from the Holy Father is not to be missed.
Masses each day, for a few Catholic families in one place
and for 100 families in another place. “Thank you, Father, for I much prefer to go to the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore
coming. How could we celebrate Easter without Holy Mass?” and join with the ordinary Romans as they celebrate the
8 The Far East - May 2021
REFLECTION
Holy Days and Easter in “their basilica”. The organ seems to
play more loudly, the trumpets seem to blast more joyously,
I much prefer to go to the basilica
and the choir seems to sing with more gusto and verve at of Santa Maria Maggiore and join
Santa Maria Maggiore to celebrate Easter with the people of
Rome.
with the ordinary Romans as they
As a consultor since 2016 to the Congregation for Divine
celebrate the Holy Days and Easter
Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments at the Vatican, in “their basilica”. The organ seems
I think this is about the sensus fidelium, the mind of
the faithful, how the people of God in many places and
to play more loudly, the trumpets
conditions know instinctively that these Holy Days and seem to blast more joyously, and
Easter should be celebrated and know how to celebrate
them. Even a little five-year-old boy, many years ago.
the choir seems to sing with more
gusto...
Columban Fr Robert McCulloch is the Rector of Collegio San
Colombano, Rome.
Photo: bigstockphoto.com/Sidney de Almeida
The Far East - May 2021 9
Chaplaincy to the Chinese diaspora
in Ireland
Columban Missionary, Sr Mary Greaney, has been instrumental in establishing a
flourishing parish for the Chinese community in the Archdiocese of Dublin. She
explains how it all came about.
Members of the Chinese community in Dublin at the Rite of Election in St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Dublin, with Fr Damian McNeice of the Archdiocese
of Dublin’s Liturgy Resource Centre.
I
rish missionaries have a long history of leaving their at that time was an invitation to visit and befriend the
footprints in many countries worldwide. When I Chinese illegal immigrants in Dublin’s Mountjoy Prison. This
returned to Ireland some years ago, I responded to was a very special mission and a much-needed ministry
the promptings of the Spirit to reach out to the Chinese entailing regular visits.
community in Dublin. I had worked as a missionary with the At the time, there were seven young priests from China
Chinese in Hong Kong for over 40 years and so I was familiar studying in the national seminary in Maynooth, sponsored
with their culture, language and customs. by the Columban and Jesuit Fathers. These priests used to
Most of them were students but some were restaurant celebrate a Mandarin Mass twice a month in Myra House
workers and others, casual workers in various places and, of on Francis Street in inner-city Dublin with a small group of
course, some were illegal migrants. My first call to mission Chinese lay people and a few Legion of Mary members in
Photo: John McElroy
10 The Far East - May 2021SR MARY GREANEY IRELAND CHINA
attendance. For me, this was very symbolic. Myra House was baptised every year at the Easter Vigil Mass in Dublin’s
the home of the Legion of Mary. It was here that the Legion Pro-Cathedral. Archbishop Martin was delighted with this
was founded in September 1921 by Frank Duff. blessing of new life in the diocese. It never ceased to amaze
me how many young Chinese adults were eager to join
Frank Duff had a great love and appreciation of China.
our catechumen class. I asked one of them why she was
The Irish Columban Missionary, Fr Aedan McGrath, spread
interested in becoming a Catholic here in Ireland. She told
the Legion of Mary over the vast country of China in the
me, “Sister, here we are free to follow Jesus.”
mid-twentieth century. Many young Chinese legionaries
gave their lives for the Legion because they refused to After five years Fr Anthony was recalled by his bishop to
sign a document saying the Legion was a ‘Subversive his home diocese in China. He was replaced by Fr Anthony
Organisation’. So, when I attended the Chinese Mass, I Hau, a young Chinese priest nearing completion of English
imagined Frank Duff smiling down on this fledgling Chinese language studies in Dublin. About this time we began
community in gratitude for an unexpected blessing for to search for more space for meetings, classes and social
Myra House and the Legion. gatherings than Corpus Christi Parish could supply. We
decided to approach the diocese again to request a more
At this stage, my dream of setting up an outreach to the
permanent place with more facilities - a place that would be
Chinese community became very real and I discussed it
a home away from home for our growing community.
with the Chinese group. They were very excited and saw
it as a great need and offered to help me in whatever way The Diocese graciously responded to our request and
they could. I approached the Archdiocese of Dublin for arranged for us to move our chaplaincy to St Andrew’s
permission and support. The Vicar General, Mons. Lorcan Church in Westland Row. This offer was way beyond
O’Brien, was very interested, supportive and willing to my expectations. Apart from the lovely church in a very
help in any way he could. A plan of action was approved convenient central location, there is lots of extra space
by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, with the remit that I find a for spiritual and social gatherings as well as comfortable
Chinese chaplain from among the group of Chinese priests accommodation for Fr Anthony.
completing their studies in Maynooth. Fr Anthony Xiao Fr Anthony is a hard-working and dedicated chaplain. Our
offered his services and obtained the necessary permission group has quite a number of young children as we have
from his bishop in China. He was sponsored by the had lots of marriages in recent years. The community is
Archdiocese of Dublin, becoming the first Chinese chaplain now well settled and catechumen classes and faith-sharing
to the Chinese community in the city. Our first base was gatherings continue as well as aftercare for the newly-
Corpus Christi Church, Drumcondra. baptised. We have a committed Chinese Pastoral Council and
I became the liaison person between the Diocese and the a Chinese choir. So we are well integrated into St Andrew’s
Chinese community. We set up a small team of Chinese and Parish and the Archdiocese of Dublin.
Irish volunteers under Fr Anthony’s leadership to help us I will be eternally grateful to God for this special mission
get our project off the ground, keeping evangelization as to the Chinese here in Ireland. It seems like my Columban
the main focus of our mission. At this time too, Sr Lucia So, missionary call has come full circle and my faith has been
a Chinese Columban Sister from Hong Kong, was assigned truly enriched through this meaningful outreach to a great
to Dublin to help this young community. Fr Anthony, Sr group of people here in Dublin.
Lucia and Anita, a committed laywoman from Hong Kong
and long-time resident in Ireland, formed the first Pastoral
Columban Sr Mary Greaney is from Galway. She worked in Hong
Council. Their mandate, evangelization, was high on the Kong as a nurse for 40 years. She also worked with prisoners and
agenda and was very evident in all their outreach work. was very active in the Legion of Mary. Since retiring to Ireland she
has been working with the Chinese Community in Dublin as well as
The bi-monthly Masses continued in Corpus Christi Church
visiting Chinese people in prison.
and soon the community began to grow. A Catechumen
Class was organised and received an amazing response.
We had an average of twenty young Chinese adults
The Far East - May 2021 11Of such legends are made FR JIM MULRONEY
A
carving out of wood with little artistic merit, yet
adorned in robes of kingly magnificence, the Santo
Niño is a source of religious myth and fable dating
back to the sowing of the first seeds of Christianity in
Philippine soil just half a millennium ago.
Celebrated in festival and dance, the small statue of the
kingly boy Jesus has become a symbol of the Christian faith
opening its arms to embrace the disparate cultural and
language groups that populate the Pearl of the Orient Seas
and an expression of the bonds that connect the Christian
people with their Muslim sisters and brothers.
Housed in Cebu behind tight security for the past 400 years
of its turbulent existence in the Basilica Menor del Santo
Niño, the Santo Niño has an annual outing through the
streets of its hometown on the third Sunday of January.
In pre-COVID-19 times, the city played host to crowds from
across the country jamming the thoroughfares to catch
a glimpse and a blessing, as well as make merry in the
conviviality of a major fiesta.
The festival honours the Santo Niño with the centuries-old
dance known as the Sinulog. It is performed to a haunting
drumbeat so foreign to the modern ear that keeping the
rhythm of its one-step forward, half a step backwards
challenges even the most dexterous of stalwarts.
Religious commentators say that people live somewhere
between the dream of the Santo Niño and the reality of the
crucifixion. Filipino, Sister Aida Casambre, puts it this way,
“At times we identify with the Santo Niño when we express the
joy of the child within us and at other times we face the hard
realities and become closer to the crucifixion.”
However, while the dance may be soaked in tradition, the
statue’s fame peppered with earnest supplication and
drenched with care and respect, the popularity of its annual
celebration is relatively new.
Seized upon in the 1980s by the then-minister for Sports
and Youth Development, David S. Odilao Jr., it was slated
as a good expression of Cebu’s cultural history. Odilao
gathered a group of young people to dance the Sinulog
around the basilica.
However, while sport and culture may have their own
benefits, the then-mayor, Florentino S. Solon, saw financial
opportunity as well and his eye for the dollar has given the
up-until-then exclusively religious ritual a new life as a high
rolling tourist attraction.
Displaying a replica of the Santo Niño in preparation for
dancing the part of Queen Juana at the festival.
12 The Far East - May 2021PHILIPPINES
As the boy Jesus clothed like a king, the Santo Niño stands
as a symbol of the transition from the religion of the natural
world to Christianity. Shrouded in myth and fable, historians
mostly believe it was presented by the Portuguese explorer
sailing under the flag of Spain in 1521, Ferdinand Magellan,
to Hara Amihan, later known as Queen Juana, consort to
Cebu’s raja, Humabon, as a baptismal gift.
Magellan’s records suggest that about 800 people received
the sacrament of baptism between his arrival on April 7
and his death three weeks later, which resulted from an
altercation with the raja of Mactan, Lapu-lapu, on April 27.
The remnants of Magellan’s crew managed to get
back to Spain, but it was another 44 years before the
Spanish returned to Philippine shores. A contingent of
conquistadors, akin to pirates in government uniform,
arrived on 28 April 1565 under the command of Miguel
Lopez de Legaspi.
In the marauders’ usual friendly manner, they sprayed
the village with cannon fire from their ships and later one
of them, Juan Camus, discovered the statue of the Santo
Niño stacked in a box along with several other idols when
searching the smouldering ruins.
Historians claim that during the intervening 44 years the
people continued to dance their traditional Sinulog, no
longer in honour of their former idols, but in recognition of
the Santo Niño.
The statue was ultimately enshrined in the church of San
Augustin, later renamed in honour of the religious relic.
Popular mythology illustrates the determination of the
Filipino people to claim the Santo Niño as their own. It is Preparing to dance the Sinulog at a festival to honour the Santo Niño.
said that on two occasions it was shipped to Spain as a out of the water by a hapless fisherman. Locals discovered
present for the king. However, when the box was opened in that the log could dispel birds ravaging their crops, make
Madrid, it had miraculously fled and reappeared in its home it rain and increase fishing hauls, so they carved it into the
in Cebu. Santo Niño.
Another attempt was made to present it to the pope, this Such stories notwithstanding, today the Sinulog is
time under lock and key, but once again, it hot-footed back danced in churches as a symbol of religious linkage and
and was safely ensconced in its rightful home when Vatican heritage. Those privileged to carry a replica of the statue in
officials received the package. procession often dress as a Muslim woman to illustrate the
In order to curtail its movements, a frustrated priest cut off interreligious relationship between Christianity and Islam.
the statue’s foot, and some say that is why, to this day, the “In Cebu,” they explain, “we are Christians and Muslims
Santo Niño looks a bit lop-sided! working together to live in harmony. The Santo Niño is an
Other legends attribute the statue’s existence to a deal expression of this.”
done with Chinese traders by Spanish Franciscans, but a
more attractive one claims that a log of wood was fished Columban Fr Jim Mulroney resides in Essendon.
Photos: Fr Jim Mulroney SSC
The Far East - May 2021 13I left Peru in a wheelchair
In March, Columban Fr John Hegerty returned home with a
heavy heart to Australia after 49 years in Peru.
I
left Peru in a wheelchair arranged by my solicitous Columban brothers to ensure that this
post-op, half-blind exile would reach his assigned destination.
So, I rode the chair in Lima, Los Angeles and Sydney airports and was safely delivered into the
bus destined for the Radisson Hotel and 14 days of very peaceful quarantine.
It is not the leaving of Lima that grieves me, but the leaving of a sad and sorry Lima that is now fit
for a wheelchair.
I arrived in Peru early in 1972 in the middle of the reformist military dictatorship of Juan Velazco.
Being military, it was repressive and, being reformist, gave some hope for at least the first few
years. People had dignity and rights for the first time.
Then came the 20 years of terror, destruction and death, thanks to the ideology and pretentions
of the brutal Shining Path. Seventy thousand were killed and millions were displaced. The people
lived in constant fear.
The next wave was one of corruption, lies and betrayal, in favour of big business and against
small business and people on the margins. The fat cats got fatter and the quality of life for the
vast majority worsened - working longer hours, with no rights and no security.
Into that scene rode COVID-19 on March 16 last year. Now a year on and 110,000 deaths later
(more than in the War of the Pacific or under the Shining Path) and the scene has not improved.
There is still no oxygen because of a monopoly and more victims are dying in the corridors
waiting for access to ICU than those dying in ICU.
There is a new fully equipped hospital lying idle because the paperwork has not been completed.
The vaccine has been delayed while the politicians prioritize personal power over public health.
There has been one bonus in the year and expectations that a population that is 80% informally
employed can observe lockdown and this lack of realism is to preserve the country’s reserves.
Peru is at war! The authorities either don’t know or don’t want to know. They certainly have not
declared it, for all the rhetoric. They are too busy promoting their political futures in an absurd
electoral campaign.
It is Peru in a wheelchair, and that is the wonderful Peru I left behind after 49 years of love and
laughter, dust, sweat and tears.
I left with a very heavy heart.
These beautiful people deserve and need something much much better.
They are in their dark night, and I fear only God can lead them out.
Columban Fr John Hegerty has newly retired to Australia after 49 years in Peru.
14 The Far East - May 2021FR JOHN HEGERTY PERU
Into that scene rode Covid 19 on
March 16 last year. Now a year on
and 110,000 deaths later (more that
in the War of the Pacific or under
the Shining Path) and the scene has
not improved.
Photo: Joel Salvador/shutterstock.com
The Far East - May 2021 15Photo: iStock.com/RoyFWylam
Mission World
We ask your prayers: The prayers of our readers are requested for the
repose of the souls of friends and benefactors of the Missionary Society
of St Columban who died recently and for the spiritual and the temporal
welfare of all our readers, their families and friends.
Mission Intention for May
Let us pray that those in charge of finance will work with governments to
regulate the financial sphere and protect citizens from its dangers.
Pope Francis calls for clean drinking water and sanitation for all
Pope Francis reflects on World Water Day celebrated each year on March 22, saying it is an occasion for reflection and a call to
action as many, across the globe, do not have access to clean water and sanitation.
P
ope Francis called for clean drinking water and
sanitation for all on Sunday, remarking on how clean
water is something “too many of our brothers and
sisters do not have access to.”
Speaking after the Angelus prayer, the Pope looked ahead to
the annual observance of World Water Day marked each year
on March 22.
“World Water Day invites us to reflect on the value of this
wonderful and irreplaceable gift of God. For us believers ‘sister’
water is not a commodity: it is a universal symbol and a source
of life and health" he said.
Highlighting the fact that so many people across the world World Water Day 2021
have little access to water, which is, perhaps, even polluted, World Water Day this year celebrates water and raises
the Pope said: “It is necessary to ensure drinking water and awareness of the global water crisis. A core focus of the
sanitation for all.” observance is to support the achievement of Sustainable
Development Goal (SDG) 6: water and sanitation for all by
A call to action 2030.
The Pope went on to thank and encourage those who The theme of World Water Day 2021 is valuing water:
through their different professional capacities and “The value of water is about much more than its price – water
responsibilities “work for this very important purpose.” has enormous and complex value for our households, food,
He highlighted the example of Argentina’s University Institute culture, health, education, economics and the integrity of our
for Water and Sanitation, located in The Palace of Water in natural environment. If we overlook any of these values, we
Buenos Aires that aims to be a significant player in Water and risk mismanaging this finite, irreplaceable resource. SDG 6 is to
Sanitation education in the country and the region. ensure water and sanitation for all. Without a comprehensive
understanding of water’s true, multi-dimensional value, we will
“I think of those,” the Pope continued, “who work to carry this
be unable to safeguard this critical resource for the benefit of
work forward” and raise awareness regarding the importance of
everyone.”
water: “Thank you very much to you Argentines who work in this
Water University!”
Linda Bordoni, Vatican News, www.vaticannews.va, March 21, 2021
Photo: Indian women carrying water, Alberto Buscató Vázquez (September
10, 2018, India), CC BY-SA 4.0
16 The Far East - May 2021From the Director
The significance of the liturgical seasons
T
he liturgical year is a picture of our lives. Most of the This is the big story about resurrection. What about the
time we do not have anything special happening. Our more mundane experiences of resurrection? When do I see
lives being quite ordinary. This liturgical year, we have or feel the power of resurrection working in my own life, or
33 weeks of Ordinary Time. The readings and the prayers of my community? Healing is a good example of resurrection.
those Sundays and the weekdays have much for us to absorb When our bodies or our psyches are under stress or have
and reflect upon. They help us to understand what it means been wounded, where does the power come from that
to live an ordinary life. We get insights into the wonder of brings us back to health? It is that same power that raised
being an ordinary person living an ordinary life. Jesus from the dead. It is the Holy Spirit.
At this time of the year, we are in the midst of a busy Now we are dealing with Pentecost. Individually and
liturgical season. We have had Lent, Holy Week and Easter. collectively, we are often gifted by the Spirit of God. There
The next stop is Pentecost before we get back to Ordinary may not be tongues of fire or a big rush of wind. But often
Time again. The question I am asking myself is, “What is we have this sense that we need to stop and stand in
the liturgical year telling me about my life by having Easter wonder. We want to stop and look at the sunset, at the
and Pentecost?” What aspects of my life do these feasts baby who is asleep in the pram, or our hearts reach out in
represent? Where are the Easter moments or the Pentecost compassion to the suffering of the world. In those moments
moments of my life? we are being touched by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is
very busy.
If we go to the readings and the prayers of these two
important seasons, we can learn a lot about our lives. Sometimes we find ourselves in conversations where there
We start to wake up to some of the wonder in our lives. is a lot of energy. We are very enthusiastic and excited
We become more aware of God’s action in our lives, in our which may be unusual for us. Often this can be a sign of
world. the working of the Spirit in our lives. These are Pentecost
moments. There may not be tongues of fire, but we can be
On Easter Sunday we read the story of Jesus’ resurrection
“fired up” about something. It is good to reflect and pray
from the dead. He appeared to many but there was
about such experiences. Let us ask ourselves, “Is God trying
something different about him. Not everyone recognised
to lead me, trying to nudge me into something new and
him straight away. Maybe we are like the disciples in that we
life-giving?”
do not recognise the Risen Jesus in our lives either.
When we look at these Resurrection or Pentecost moments,
Every year when Easter comes around, we are celebrating
we start to see that our ordinary lives are not so ordinary
not only the Resurrection of Jesus but also the fact that each
after all. These liturgical seasons help us become more aware
of our bodies will also rise from the dead. We will have the
of our loving God drawing all of us into a fuller life.
same bodies as we have now, but they will be risen bodies,
or as St Paul calls them, “spiritual bodies”.
The next step is to remember that our bodies are connected
to the whole universe. We need the rest of the universe for
light, energy, food, breath, interaction with others by speech,
music, etc. We are not going to lose all these connections by
moving into death and resurrection. I have no idea how this
happens, but it is connected to the fact that the whole of
the universe will also be transformed by the same Spirit that
raised Jesus from the dead.
God created the universe and continues to create it. It seems Fr Trevor Trotter
strange that annihilation would be the end of the story for Regional Director of Oceania
the universe created out of love. Everlasting life is for all life. RDOceania@columban.org.au
The Far East - May 2021 17From COVID Philippines to COVID
Brexit Ireland
“Home is where you are understood," says the prophet, and we missionaries claim to
have at least two homes: one in our country of birth, and another in our country
(or countries) of adoption.
B
orn and reared in Ireland, at 26 years of age and I have enjoyed ministry. People have inspired me and
armed with the Church’s social teaching and the God has positioned and empowered me to share the joy
documents of Vatican II, I enthusiastically said my of the Gospel with many others. My family have been
good-byes as I left the Ireland I loved in 1966. I expected extraordinarily close too, and supportive of God’s mission
that I would be blessed with fraternal support from my which is my mission and Columban Mission. I am thankful
fellow Columban Missionaries and hoped that I would that we Columbans have been given the time and the
enjoy a warm welcome from the Filipino people. I certainly encouragement to avail of sustained ongoing formation.
received both. I regularly availed of these to keep in touch with a rapidly
changing world.
My mother, like many young Irish at that time, emigrated
to Canada, fulfilled her year’s contract and moved south I am asking for time to be with my sister and my five
to New York and worked there for another five years brothers. I would like to get to know them and their families
before deciding to come home and get married to an Irish better. I want to thank them for their support and for
neighbour. They reared us seven children on a small farm regularly sharing their blessings with those most in need.
where hard work, frugality and love nourished our family While the internet has revolutionized communication
lives. between us all, most people live anxiously, fearing that
My experience there increased my sensitivity to hungry COVID will gain entry to their homes and families. The
and impoverished farmworkers in the sugarcane fields of vaccines are becoming available and I hope to be a
Negros, Philippines. A three-year survey in Kabankalan recipient very soon. And, if I continue to have reasonable
showed that more than 50% of all funerals were of children health and energy to assist with Columban priorities in
who did not live until their third birthday. Ireland, then of course I am willing to do what I can.
Half a century after I arrived in the Philippines - 54 years in I lived under lockdown in Malate for five months, only
fact - I met with our Superior General, Fr Tim Mulroy, on his going outside to visit the doctor. I enjoyed seeing Fr Leo
visitation to Malate, just as the alarms were going off that Distor, our current Pastor, empowering communities in
COVID had entered the Philippines. He listened carefully celebrating, sharing, caring, surviving – and providing for
as I shared my story: I have enjoyed my life as a missionary, victims in coordination with the wider Church services. I
frequently faced with challenges beyond my capability, saw that happening in Malate, and now, seven months in
but helped along by my companions and fellow believers Ireland, I have seen similar outreach programmes happen in
to trust the Lord and see God’s hand and fingerprints in our parish in Tyrone.
everything. “We belong to Christ, not to ourselves” - is St We thank God for the many alternatives which are opening
Columbans wonderful summary. our eyes and challenging us to respond in new ways in
I had 22 years of ministry in Negros, followed by six years today’s world. We have a variety of liturgies and sporting
in Manila developing Columban Lay Mission in and out of events giving us options online - audio and visual apps
the Philippines. This was followed by another 25 years of which allow us to see and hear each other and interact
ministry in Malate Parish. I will be 80 years old in May. I had with our families and friends despite COVID at little or no
three close encounters with death: neurosurgery in Dublin cost. We can make time for solitude and contemplation,
in 1988, a heart attack in Manila where two stents were time for more prayer, time for admiring creation and
inserted in 2008 and a blocked stent when in San Francisco indeed the beauty of God’s creation, the biodiversity, the
in 2012. interconnectedness of all living beings. Keeping distance
18 The Far East - May 2021FR MICHAEL MARTIN PHILIPPINES IRELAND
The Philippines truly became my second home, my country of adoption.
If we Irish excel in celebrating death (and funerals), Filipinos are brilliant in
celebrating life (and birthdays).
and wearing masks are absolute demands for us who see
life as God’s gift and who claim to be Christians, disciples of
Jesus.
Pain is part of life. Filipinos have integrated this into their
worship and prayer. The Nazareno is the dead Christ. The
Dolorosa is the Sorrowing Mother. Leaving the Philippines
with little time or opportunity to say goodbye was indeed
painful for me as it has been for many missionaries.
Irish families generally have a sense of belonging, similar to
Filipinos: “Where do you come from?” is a common greeting
in both lands. And, migration of people is for both, pain and
pleasure. There is little need to emphasise whether or faith
or family or relatives overseas or heavenly blessings. These
are all part of the baggage (and heritage) we bring with us
from both countries!
I realize that I have had a lifetime of immersion in Philippine
life and the people's struggle for survival and freedom
while my knowledge and appreciation of modern Irish
personalities in the social and political arena would be quite
Fr Mickey Martin
superficial. The Philippines truly became my second home,
my country of adoption. If we Irish excel in celebrating While dealing with frost and snow in the hills is a small issue
death (and funerals), Filipinos are brilliant in celebrating life that can be important and sometimes urgent, we know
(and birthdays). I miss them! At least I can pray for the health that Brexit and a border down the Irish Sea are becoming
and the opportunity to visit again post COVID. bigger issues. Finally, big these issues may be for us all
I have watched many Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) games right now, 11,000 scientists worldwide have warned us that
online and on TV since my arrival in August. I enjoy visiting catastrophic environmental deterioration is infinitely more
Dalgan where I had spent time recovering from illnesses. threatening to civilisation than are the combined issues
I feel close to many who had retired after a lifetime on from Trumpism, Brexit and COVID-19 - a truly daunting
mission. I gradually settled and am getting to know TG4 challenge as to what we must try to do, both as individuals
(an Irish TV channel) and its excellent commentaries on our and collectively, to find the most effective way to catalyse
country and culture, our history and heritage, our families, action.
fears and friends.
Columban Fr Michael Martin served in Columban parishes in Negros
Filipinos taught me a few of their languages and basic
and Manila for over 50 years. He now resides in Ireland.
greetings. I wish I knew more Irish! Maybe I can learn a
little more. Being mostly with family members helps me
learn about them, their commitments, their work, lives, and
livelihoods.
Photo: Fr Michael Martin SSC
The Far East - June 2020 19Kim Chong-hwan with his family and Columban Fr Noel Daly on his 70th birthday.
With gratitude to the Columbans
"When I was experiencing major difficulties in my life, I was greatly consoled and
encouraged to keep going by several Columban priests. As I recall my meetings with
those priests, many memories come back to me and I want to convey my gratitude to
you."
I
was baptised in the parish of Haksong-dong in Wonju By the time he returned to his native Ireland in 1984,
City, Korea, at Christmas 1971. The following year I met Fr Noel had not only created these catechetical textbooks,
Columban Fr Noel Daly. He had produced a catechetical he had also been involved in activities aimed at bringing
programme that was used for Sunday school children in about democracy in Korea. At a time of political upheaval,
many parishes in the Diocese of Wonju. He created separate he helped students who were in hiding and experiencing
lesson plans for each of the six grades, developing a difficulties. He was harassed by police and kept under
curriculum for all six levels. Using a steel nib, he wrote each surveillance.
lesson on a stencil and then used a simple mimeograph to I met Columban Fr Peter Kelly in 1973. While he was mostly
make thousands of copies one at a time. At the end of the involved in counselling students and teaching English, I can
year, he bound them into books for each grade. I regularly also recall how he helped struggling people dealing with
witnessed him beavering away late into the night to the after-effects of flooding in remote villages all over the
complete this task. province of Kangwon.
Photo: St Columbans Mission Society
20 The Far East - May 2021KIM CHONG-HWAN KOREA
I thank these Columban priests who consoled us migrants when we were
feeling homesick and struggling with life and work or study in a strange
culture.
After I graduated from University I met Columban Fr Sean me to go to their chapel where they celebrated Mass and
Conneely when I was working in Seoul. He spoke in the the Sacraments in the Korean language. I am very grateful
Cholla dialect having served as a parish priest on the island to all of these Columban Missionary priests including Frs
of Heuksan. Being a warm-hearted person with a wonderful Raymond Scanlon, Frank Ferrie, Paul Carey and Michael
sense of humour, he counselled hundreds of high school Gormly.
and university students at the Columban Student Centre All of these priests had been appointed to the distant
in Wangshipri, Seoul. He was always willing to listen to country of Korea as soon as they had been ordained. They
students' worries and helped them to find new confidence. spent much of their youth working hard on mission in
In the 70s and 80s university student activities were Korea. After their return to Australia, despite having lots of
severely restricted as the police were watching their every work to do in their native country, they generously gave of
move. Fr Conneely provided a safe haven where students their time to the Korean community, providing it with Mass
could discuss the burning issues of the day and overcome and the Sacraments and never tired of doing so. I thank
their difficulties. He was totally committed to them and these Columban priests who consoled us migrants when
their dreams. we were feeling homesick and struggling with life and
work or study in a strange culture. I thank them for making
In April 1984, I arrived in Australia as an overseas student on
it possible for us to continue to gather as Korean Catholic
a Government visa. I attended Mass at the Concord Church
communities and pray and develop our life of faith.
in Sydney where the Korean Catholic community gathered.
There I renewed my acquaintance with Fr Peter Kelly. He Dearly beloved Columban Fathers, I wish you good health
celebrated Mass in the Korean language and provided the and long life. I pray for you all.
Sacrament of Reconciliation. Back in his own country, he
continued to work hard serving the Korean community. On Kim Chong-hwan (Ignatius), a member of the Columban Supporters'
one occasion he explained that he was allotted a restricted Group, was the president of the Melbourne Korean church but now
amount of time by the parish to devote to celebrating Mass resides in Sydney. Translated by Noel Mackey, a former Columban and
a resident of Seoul, Korea.
and hearing confessions for the Korean community. "There
is an out-station not very far away. I could celebrate Mass there
and I think that would be a better place for us to meet," he
suggested.
In the 70s and 80s university
The out-station Fr Peter prepared for us would later become
what is the present-day parish of Korean Catholics in student activities were severely
Sydney, having developed enormously in the meantime. restricted as the police were
Columban Fr James Duggan who retired back to Sydney
from Korea, has also helped out in this parish many times watching their every move.
and often celebrated the Sunday Mass in English for the Fr Conneely provided a safe haven
youth and students there.
where students could discuss the
After living for some time in Sydney I moved to Melbourne
because of work commitments. The area I was living in burning issues of the day and
was a long distance from the parish church and due to my overcome their difficulties. He was
limited language abilities, it was proving difficult for me to
receive the Sacrament of Confession. But the Columban
totally committed to them and
priests in Melbourne heard of my situation and invited their dreams.
The Far East - May 2021 21You can also read
