A Brazilian priest missioner in the State of Tocantins, Padre Pedro, recently celebrated his fortieth birthday and ten year as a priest. As counties in Brazil prepare for local elections this year, many wanted him to run as candidate for office of mayor. He resisted, reaffirming that his contribution to the local community is best as a priest. He did, however, collaborate with a group of concerned parishioners in the choice and support of a candidate. Election Day is Sunday, October 3.
He told me last week that he has learned in these past couple month more about human nature than in all his studies and pastoral work. The seamy side of human nature, that is. Hometown politics seems to bring out the worst of everyone!
One example. Last Saturday he invited me to concelebrate with him a funeral mass for a devout woman in his parish, half-sister to two priests, both monsignors in a neighboring diocese. The celebration was a wonderful tribute in homage to this generous Christian woman. At various moments over the years she received our Bishop and I in her home when we were in town when the small parish house was full. Her family has a long-standing involvement in local politics. She was in charge of an office of deeds and registers.
Her son is presently a candidate for local council member. Apparently, he wanted to use the funeral of his mother for political advantage. His party has a young Protestant woman as candidate for mayor. For this reason, he wanted the funeral to have more of a civic carater. Since Padre Pedro was known to support the other party, this young man did not want him to be visible at his mother´s funeral mass, thinking that his presence would give more support to the opposition. Fortunately, he has a sister who is more human and sensible. She insisted, together with her two priests/uncles, that Padre Pedro, the local pastor, should preside at a funeral mass in the local parish church. He did, with tact, devotion and dynamic. The church was packed for the ten-o´clock liturgy followed by burial in the local cemetery.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-
In the Gospel this coming Sunday, the disciples request Jesus to increase their faith. Let´s see what your pastor is going to say about this in his sermon.
Josefa has three daughters and a son. Early this year she witnessed the brutal assassination of one of her daughters – a young mother of three – in her own home. The hired killer and the two people involved in ordering the killing are in jail awaiting trial. I visited Josefa a couple times. Recently she came to my office requesting my prayers – that she may have more faith. After some dialog, I discovered the meaning of her request. One of her daughters, the one with whom she is now living, is a fundamentalist evangelical. She and members of her church convinced Josefa that all this tragedy happened because she does not have enough faith!
-o-o-o-o-o-o-
More on politics. Celio, a young man with wife and daughter, is candidate for council member in his county. He has always been active as a youth leader. Recently, he is active in the area of human rights. He seems to have good support in this first attempt to run for an elected office. Last week a candidate for mayor of another party approached him offering him money, house and job if he would renounce his candidacy. Celio told the politician that he would think about it and they marked a future date to finalize his decision. At the next appointment, Celio arranged to tape and video the conversation and exchange. He then took the tape and video to the local police to register election violation since it is a crime here in Brazil to buy votes. The news was on front page and TV that afternoon. Investigation hasn´t been conclusive yet. We are all supportive of Celio.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Do you remember your baptismal sponsor? Many times, we relegate them to a photo or document in the past. During the last weekend of August, I visited a land settlement in the Prelature where approximately 150 families are settled as part of a land reform project. The Catholic community there was celebrating the feast of their patron saint, Saint Raymond Nonato. Two Franciscan Sisters live in this community, and minister to these people. They requested my presence since they were eight months without mass and baptism. They scheduled baptisms for 9 a.m. that Sunday. I arrived 9:05 since I got lost (took the scenic route, as one would say). We soon began the celebration. Mass was in the evening.
After baptism, an elderly couple requested to talk with me. Almost everyone had left. We sat in one of the pews. They went directly to the point. Their godson, a young adult cowboy, rustled some calves, got caught and is facing shame among his peers. The young man sees suicide as the only way out. The godparents do not agree. They want support to convince him to change his mind. He is sheepishly standing outside the door. I called the young man into our conversation. I frankly open discussion of the case and try to show him alternatives. None convinces him. The godparents, in their human wisdom and faith, gave advice I consider very sound psychology and theology. One could sense the mutual affection. The young cowboy however, continued to insist that he has the only solution - suicide today. He didn´t verbalize how he would do it, but would use a gesture of hanging himself. Exhausting all our reasoning, cajoling and threats, we turned to pray with him. I prayed a brief spontaneous prayer and the godmother followed, reciting Psalm 35 by heart! His godfather was most fatherly in his manner, advice and prayer. Thirty days later and I have no news of a suicide in that community.
-o-o-o-o-
