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IN THIS ISSUE
From the Desk of
Fr. John Madigan, O.M.I.
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Annual Healing Novena
Oblate Martyrs:
Making the Ultimate Sacrifice
Disturbing The Status Quo
“Stop Killing Priests!”
That message was written on numerous signs
carried during the funeral procession for Fr. Jesus
Reynaldo Roda, O.M.I.
Father Rey, as he was known to thousands of
friends and admirers, is the most recent Oblate to lose
his life while fighting for the poor in the Philippines.
On January 15, Fr. Rey was praying in the chapel, a routine he performed every evening. Armed men barged into the chapel in an apparent kidnapping attempt. Father Rey struggled and resisted, but was beaten and shot dead.
The news of Fr. Rey’s murder was devastating for his brother Oblates and friends. But it wasn’t totally unexpected.
“Somebody was bound to hurt Fr. Rey,” said Bishop Angelito Lampon, a fellow Oblate and the main celebrant at Fr. Rey’s funeral Mass, which was concelebrated by 65 Priests.
Father Rey had worked tirelessly for the poor in the Philippines, especially on issues involving social justice. As Director of Notre Dame University in Tabawan he was at the forefront of many initiatives to improve the lives of the needy in the region, especially in the fields of primary and secondary education.
His outspoken support of the poor brought many powerful enemies.
Shortly before his murder, Fr. Rey had given a “no holds barred” speech describing the corruption taking place in the Philippines that was having a tremendous negative effect on the poor.
“Everybody was spellbound,” said Bishop Lampon about that speech. “He told the truth, and everyone knew it, but nobody dared say it as Fr. Rey did.”
Beatification Urged For Slain Oblate Bishop
The funeral Mass for Fr. Rey was held just a
few days before another solemn ceremony
involving an Oblate martyr.
February 4 marked the 11th anniversary of the
murder of Bishop Benjamin de Jesus, O.M.I. Each
year hundreds of people gather on the anniversary
of Bishop Ben’s murder to pray and commit
themselves to fulfilling his dream of creating a
more peaceful Philippines.
“In this place ‘soaked in blood’ because of its history of never-ending conflict and violence, Bishop Ben exercised his leadership by bridging gaps between and among peoples,” said Fr. Francis Zabala, O.M.I.“He was personally involved in inter-religious dialogue and supported initiatives to bring about peace and reconciliation in the land.”
Bishop Ben was murdered outside his cathedral in Jolo in broad daylight. He had been receiving death threats for some time from Islamic militants because of his close ties to more moderate Muslim leaders. One suspect was arrested and tried for the murder, but the trial was halted and the suspect released after a key witness died.
Despite being a member of the church hierarchy in the Philippines, Bishop Ben is remembered primarily for his work among the “ordinary people.” He was even a friend to the Badjaos people, sea gypsies who have been so marginalized by the rest of society that they can’t even own land, and so live on boats.
Since 2003 efforts have been underway to have Bishop Ben beatified by the Church. Organizers of the Bishop Benjamin de Jesus Beatification Movement explain that the movement is a spiritual initiative and has no political agenda.
The group is presently doing research on the life of Bishop Ben and interviewing people from all walks of life who knew the former Bishop. Movement members have also been compiling the Bishop’s writings.
Researchers have found that people given pieces of cloth from Bishop Ben’s vestments have reported healings.
Other Oblate Martyrs
South Africa
On October 5, 2007, Fr. Allard Mako, O.M.I., was shot and killed
by roadside carjackers. After celebrating a Friday evening Mass,
Fr. Mako took a young parishioner home and on his return to the
parish was ambushed and killed.
The 42-year-old Oblate had been a Priest for only four years. He was the Associate Novice Master at the Oblate novitiate and is remembered fondly for his jovial personality and dedication to the men discerning their calling to religious life.
Lesotho
On October 24, 2006, Bro. Peter Mahao, O.M.I., was shot and
killed by armed robbers in his room at Mazenod Monastery. He was
82 years old. Two other Oblate brothers were also shot multiple times
but survived the attack.
Brother Mahao was very talented in carpentry. His popular handmade crucifixes today hang in hundreds of homes throughout the region.
Ukraine
In May 2007, Oblates from throughout Ukraine gathered together
on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of the birth of Fr. Ludwik
Wrodarczyk, O.M.I. Father Wrodarczyk was martyred in 1943 because
he refused to let his church be destroyed by Ukrainian nationalists.
When Fr. Wrodarczyk refused to turn over his church to the
nationalists, they cut him with a saw. The Priest did not die
immediately, so the killers tied him to a tree and shot him.