Lesser-Known Catholic heros of Today
By Fr. Dan McKean
St. Patrick Parish, Brighton

April 28, 2002

Here's something different: Let's talk about Catholic clergy, religious and laity that are heros and are more representative of our church. Most of these items have been hidden in the by-lines and back pages of news reports.

Let's start with those brave Franciscan nuns, priests and brothers who are holed-up in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. According to the head of the Franciscan order they are not being held as hostages, but are staying by their own free will. To date the Palestinian gunmen inside have not threatened any violence against them. These Franciscans are the caretakers of one of the most holy sites in the Mideast. While they are finding strength from their faith, don't doubt the power of just plain stubbornness. It will take more than a few gunmen to kick these Franciscans out.

Then there is Chinese Bishop Julius Jia Zhiguo, of Zhengding. Say that a few times! Maybe his complex name is why the media basically ignores him. Or, perhaps we overlook huge human rights violations when it is convenient. Bishop Jia was arrested four days before the beginning of Holy Week, as he has been on the eve of every major holy day. The Chinese government so fears his leading liturgical celebrations that they have made the 67 year old bishop spend some 20 years in a jail cell.

In this country there are people like Fr. Jim Kelley. This 73-year-old priest covers an area of 600 miles in southwestern Alaska. A pilot for some 40 years, at least twice a month he tried to fly to the people in his missionary territory. The people of 23 villages along the Aleutian Peninsula counted on Fr. Jim for all their sacraments. A member of Holy Rosary Parish in Dillingham said of him, "He went to every little tiny place - canneries, villages, wherever he heard there was a Catholic." Unfortunately, Fr. Jim died on March 23rd, when his single engine airplane crashed in a snowstorm. He was traveling to celebrate Palm Sunday Masses in a village in his territory when his plane crashed into the Tuklung Mountains. He is a fallen hero - an irreplaceable presence of Jesus Christ to the people of his parishes.

Several weeks ago I told you about the Archbishop of Colombia who was assassinated because he dared to speak-out against the drug cartels. Now Colombia has had to establish a national police coordinator for the security of clergy. At least 10 Colombian bishops and priests have become targets of death threats. These Catholic clergy have been singled out because of their work in forming people's consciences regarding the immoral drug industry.

To a lesser degree, but still in the category of courageous, are the thousands of priests in this country who still choose to put on their clerical vestments every day. Yeah, we are angry at a few of our bishops and priests, who's sins and failings have given the media the opportunity of a lifetime - to finally have an all-out assault on the Catholic Church. While the media would like you to associate the word "clergy" with "predator", priests everywhere are keeping their eyes fixed on Christ and serving the church. Morale is a little low right now, but like marriage, ministry is deeper than how we might feel. In a large part, thanks to your words and cards of support, clergy and church members are getting through this.

All the "heros" of this article, and those who will go unnamed are motivated by their love for Christ, their Catholic faith and for people. Every period in history has called for those willing to face challenge and adversity for a greater cause. So pick yourself up, re-align your perspective on things and let's get on with the work of healing and serving the gospel of Jesus Christ. These are the times in which ordinary people are called to do extraordinary things. This is a time of great opportunity!