While Irish people are very familiar with rain, I have rarely seen it rain it Ireland the way it does here in Panama. On Friday it began to rain at 12 noon and continued until 9pm. This was not drizzle or just heavy rain, it was almost as if everywhere was under a power shower.
The sheer volume of water falling means that there is a lot of water that has to run off the roads etc. All over the city there are large storm drains to accomodate this type of occurence but, unfortunately, people are inclined to dump rubbish in these drains which causes them to clog which, in turn, leads to localised flooding throughout the city. These floods exacerbate an already chronic problem with traffic transforming a commute of one hour into one of three or four hours.
Friday's rain was so intense that it literally washed away the earth from under a mango tree (which is a very large tree). Its roots no longer having protection, the tree fell - on top of one of the cars of the seminary causing significant damage.
When this happened two things followed - people descended on the tree to retrieve the mangos and the car was covered with a cloth until the insurance company can come to investigate what happened.
When the rain stopped the usual heat came back and we were treated to the sight of steam rising from the basketball court as the water evaporated.
It is evident that the newly-refurbished chapel has a problem with water seepage and damage can be seen at various points in the ceiling. If this is not addressed there will be trouble ahead - it will be interesting to see if something is actually done about it as my impression is that expectations of work being well-finished are not high here. Time will tell.
I got news last night of the death of one of my community in Ireland. Fr. Jerry Hickey OSA has been sick for the last while with leukemia and finally succumbed to his illness yesterday. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam, RIP
Sunday, 29 April 2018
Friday, 27 April 2018
So that's a "NO!" for ecumenism...
My class with the catechists the other evening turned out to be more interesting than I had anticipated. In fact, it turned out to be a lot more heated than I could have imagined.
I was talking about the history of theology and, when I came to mention the Protestant Reform, I spoke about Luther. Now, one of the things about Luther is that a great many of his famous 95 theses are not in any way objectionable to Roman Catholic theologians, or, for that matter, to the teaching office of the church, even in its most famous incarnation as the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (as the newspapers like to remind us - formerly known as the Inquisition). The truth of the matter is that Luther's theses were a call to church reform, a call to rein in some of the abuses that had crept in to Catholic practice, and a call for more openness, especially in relation to the Bible.
However, Luther's challenge to papal authority at a time when that authority was considered to be absolute, was judged to be unforgiveable. This, together with his allegiance with a number of German princes who wanted to shake off the shackles of the Holy Roman Emperor, meant that, after the first skirmishes, there was no going back for Luther.
The proof of this can be seen in recent talks between the Lutheran Church and the Roman Catholic Church, at the highest levels, to more towards uniting the two groups. While this union is unlikely to happen in the next year or two, it is very likely that it will happen probably sooner than many had expected.
In Panama (and, indeed, throughout Central and South America), however, Luther is considerably less palatable. The experience here of so many evangelical sects (in the village of Sabanitas, with a population of about 2,000, I counted 54 different Protestant churches, meeting rooms, temples, and various places of worship), many of whom are very aggressively anti-Catholic, means that ecumenism is not looked on favourably by many Catholics. Their view is that Luther started a process that has led, in our own time, to a whole array of people who are anti them, what they hold dear, and what they stand for as catechists and community leaders. Evangelical apologists will often trot out well-rehearsed arguments quoting Luther, Calvin, and other reformers, to attack such things as the veneration of Mary, the viriginity of Mary, the authority of the Pope, and many other things - the catechists, in their communities often feel assailed by these people and unable to cope with them. They also see their families being broken up along religious lines and the relationships breaking down in whole communities.
This, understandably, has created an attitude towards these historical figures that is far from welcoming. I found it interesting to see how exercised some of the people got when they heard me saying that some of Luther's ideas were good, and very reasonable, considering the context in which he was living. There is one lady in particular who, I think, will have difficulty forgiving me. Hopefully, we will be back to business as usual on Wednesday next (Tuesday is a public holiday) when we will be leaving the reformers behind and going on to talk of other matters.
It is, however, very interesting that people have more of an investment in theological ideas than they might at first think.
I was talking about the history of theology and, when I came to mention the Protestant Reform, I spoke about Luther. Now, one of the things about Luther is that a great many of his famous 95 theses are not in any way objectionable to Roman Catholic theologians, or, for that matter, to the teaching office of the church, even in its most famous incarnation as the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (as the newspapers like to remind us - formerly known as the Inquisition). The truth of the matter is that Luther's theses were a call to church reform, a call to rein in some of the abuses that had crept in to Catholic practice, and a call for more openness, especially in relation to the Bible.
However, Luther's challenge to papal authority at a time when that authority was considered to be absolute, was judged to be unforgiveable. This, together with his allegiance with a number of German princes who wanted to shake off the shackles of the Holy Roman Emperor, meant that, after the first skirmishes, there was no going back for Luther.
The proof of this can be seen in recent talks between the Lutheran Church and the Roman Catholic Church, at the highest levels, to more towards uniting the two groups. While this union is unlikely to happen in the next year or two, it is very likely that it will happen probably sooner than many had expected.
In Panama (and, indeed, throughout Central and South America), however, Luther is considerably less palatable. The experience here of so many evangelical sects (in the village of Sabanitas, with a population of about 2,000, I counted 54 different Protestant churches, meeting rooms, temples, and various places of worship), many of whom are very aggressively anti-Catholic, means that ecumenism is not looked on favourably by many Catholics. Their view is that Luther started a process that has led, in our own time, to a whole array of people who are anti them, what they hold dear, and what they stand for as catechists and community leaders. Evangelical apologists will often trot out well-rehearsed arguments quoting Luther, Calvin, and other reformers, to attack such things as the veneration of Mary, the viriginity of Mary, the authority of the Pope, and many other things - the catechists, in their communities often feel assailed by these people and unable to cope with them. They also see their families being broken up along religious lines and the relationships breaking down in whole communities.
This, understandably, has created an attitude towards these historical figures that is far from welcoming. I found it interesting to see how exercised some of the people got when they heard me saying that some of Luther's ideas were good, and very reasonable, considering the context in which he was living. There is one lady in particular who, I think, will have difficulty forgiving me. Hopefully, we will be back to business as usual on Wednesday next (Tuesday is a public holiday) when we will be leaving the reformers behind and going on to talk of other matters.
It is, however, very interesting that people have more of an investment in theological ideas than they might at first think.
Wednesday, 25 April 2018
Wildlife
The seminary in which I am working is, very much, in the city. But, like many Central and South American cities, you are never too far from wildlife. In fact, the seminary probably has more than its fair share since it has quite a bit of land that is not built on, and many trees. Furthermore, it is next door to a university that has an extensive campus.
They tell me that there are many monkeys here, but I haven't seen them. But I have seen a great many other things. First of all, the ants: every square inch of this place is alive with one type of creature or another. If you leave a sweet paper on the ground, in at most three minutes it will be covered by ants. I don't know much about ants but there is a great variety of shapes, sizes, and even colours. Most are perfectly harmless to humans but some can give you quite a nasty nip. So far I have not been bitten by one (this year).
I have, of course, been bitten by mosquitoes. While mosquito control is pretty effective in Panama City, there are still a lot of them around. As everyone knows, these insects can spread harmful diseases - most notably here you have to be careful of Nile Virus and Fever (which I got once in Ecuador, and don't want to get again).
There are also many crickets who sing, in my opinion beautifully, all night long. At this time of the year they are accompanied, on the bass line, by the frogs! And frogs are not the only reptiles. Iguanas are regularly seen dashing about the place.
There are many birds, too, that are often very attractive, and quite different to what we normally seein Europe. Probably the most evocative of South America is the hummingbird. This is an amazing bird that has hollow wings that allow it to flap like mad and stay motionless while it extracts the nectar from plants. There are many different types of hummingbird - the picture shows the most common one here.
Mammals are not absent either. Yesterday, while I was teaching, I spotted a Ñeque which is a large rodent, about the size of a small lamb. These are herbivores and not aggressive. As a matter of interest I have often eaten these while in Ecuador where they are highl prized - although I have to admit that I had eaten it before I knew what it was. If I had known that it was basically a rat with no tail I might have thought twice.
Outside my window at the moment there is a sleeping three-toed sloth - known here as the lazy bear
(although it is not, technically a bear, I believe). These animals sleep for up to 18 hours a day by hanging from the branches. Their incredible camouflage together with the amount of noxious material they accumulate in their fur seems to keep them free from predators. The picture of the sloth here is from the internet as I couldn't get a good picture due to the natural camouflage.
That's it for the moment - any other unusual sightings and you will be the first to know.
They tell me that there are many monkeys here, but I haven't seen them. But I have seen a great many other things. First of all, the ants: every square inch of this place is alive with one type of creature or another. If you leave a sweet paper on the ground, in at most three minutes it will be covered by ants. I don't know much about ants but there is a great variety of shapes, sizes, and even colours. Most are perfectly harmless to humans but some can give you quite a nasty nip. So far I have not been bitten by one (this year).
I have, of course, been bitten by mosquitoes. While mosquito control is pretty effective in Panama City, there are still a lot of them around. As everyone knows, these insects can spread harmful diseases - most notably here you have to be careful of Nile Virus and Fever (which I got once in Ecuador, and don't want to get again).
There are also many crickets who sing, in my opinion beautifully, all night long. At this time of the year they are accompanied, on the bass line, by the frogs! And frogs are not the only reptiles. Iguanas are regularly seen dashing about the place.
Outside my window at the moment there is a sleeping three-toed sloth - known here as the lazy bear
That's it for the moment - any other unusual sightings and you will be the first to know.
Monday, 23 April 2018
Rain is not the only thing that can soak you here
Yesterday I began the day by saying Mass at the Hogar San José which is a centre run by the Mother Teresa Sisters where they receive (mostly young) people with various types of handicap. In fact, as was very clear at the Mass yesterday, those who are received in the home have sever handicaps, both physical and mental. A great many of them are children. The reality is that their families simply can't provide for their needs. Already at financial breaking point, many of the poorer families find themselves to be simply unable to countenance anything like the costs involved in caring for a child that needs special care and attention, whether that be medical, psychological, or any of the many types of therapy that we tend to consider as normal in the more developed parts of the world.
Parents of children who have these very particular needs in Ireland find themselves in a state of constant battle to gain access to the necessary services, here the battle seems to be of a different sort - to be able to cater for the basic human needs of the child. The sisters provide care in a safe, clean, and well run environment and it is clear that the kids like them very much. Everything is very gentle and the place is maintained to a very high standard, unlike many of the public services that are to be seen around the city. I'm not sure that there is a huge emphasis on therapy, but, at least for the children who make it in to the centre, their lot is greatly improved.
After Mass I headed off to a Convivencia (Workshop) for young people in preparation for World Youth Day, due to be hosted by Panama, next January. I arrived to San Miguelito (once the most densely-populated place in South America, now surpassed by the famous Favelas of Brazil) to find a huge circular church. I have no idea how many people it can accommodate, but yesterday there were well over 600 young people from about 16 to 25 years of age, all preparing for WYD.
If anyone is thinking of coming to Panama for WYD then they had better be prepared for a very lively experience. I, certainly, have never seen 600 young people dancing and singing hymns, roaring with laughter, and having the time of their lives (dancing all the time, despite the heat at 34 degrees). I suspect that January's celebration will be one of the most lively ever held - and the hottest!
I felt sorry for the man who was asked to give a talk to these young people - Fr. Miguel Angel Keller, and Augustinian, has worked here for many years, but this was one of his most challenging talks, I imagine. These young people weren't really in the mood for listening to a talk, they just wanted to keep dancing and singing - I have to say that it was really lovely: a sort of organised chaos with a multitude of goodnatured, good-humoured people.
At two in the afternoon, as the temperature was continuing to soar, they headed off on a short pilgrim walk - about a half an hour, up the steepest hill I have ever seen, to gather at a statue of Christ where the bishop was to join them for an open air Mass at 3pm - all of this in the heat of the afternoon. As they were setting out, however, the heavens opened and there was an absolutely torrential downpour which drenched everyone in seconds. While this did have the advantage of lowering the temperature somewhat, it also meant that everyone was now soaked to the skin. I have to confess that I was quite happy that I had to get back home (my lift wasn't waiting for Mass) so I got out of the whole thing relatively unscathed, but, I heard later, that by the end of the Mass, the bishop and the priests had dried out from the sun and then ended up soaked again, this time by sweat - one person told me that it looked like somebody had turned a hose on to them.
The event was a big success, and well done to those who organised it, but it also reveals some of the challenges that organisers will have to take seriously for WYD - the heat, the rain, the availability of drinking water, sunburn, and food will all need to be planned for very carefully.
Parents of children who have these very particular needs in Ireland find themselves in a state of constant battle to gain access to the necessary services, here the battle seems to be of a different sort - to be able to cater for the basic human needs of the child. The sisters provide care in a safe, clean, and well run environment and it is clear that the kids like them very much. Everything is very gentle and the place is maintained to a very high standard, unlike many of the public services that are to be seen around the city. I'm not sure that there is a huge emphasis on therapy, but, at least for the children who make it in to the centre, their lot is greatly improved.
After Mass I headed off to a Convivencia (Workshop) for young people in preparation for World Youth Day, due to be hosted by Panama, next January. I arrived to San Miguelito (once the most densely-populated place in South America, now surpassed by the famous Favelas of Brazil) to find a huge circular church. I have no idea how many people it can accommodate, but yesterday there were well over 600 young people from about 16 to 25 years of age, all preparing for WYD.
If anyone is thinking of coming to Panama for WYD then they had better be prepared for a very lively experience. I, certainly, have never seen 600 young people dancing and singing hymns, roaring with laughter, and having the time of their lives (dancing all the time, despite the heat at 34 degrees). I suspect that January's celebration will be one of the most lively ever held - and the hottest!
I felt sorry for the man who was asked to give a talk to these young people - Fr. Miguel Angel Keller, and Augustinian, has worked here for many years, but this was one of his most challenging talks, I imagine. These young people weren't really in the mood for listening to a talk, they just wanted to keep dancing and singing - I have to say that it was really lovely: a sort of organised chaos with a multitude of goodnatured, good-humoured people.
At two in the afternoon, as the temperature was continuing to soar, they headed off on a short pilgrim walk - about a half an hour, up the steepest hill I have ever seen, to gather at a statue of Christ where the bishop was to join them for an open air Mass at 3pm - all of this in the heat of the afternoon. As they were setting out, however, the heavens opened and there was an absolutely torrential downpour which drenched everyone in seconds. While this did have the advantage of lowering the temperature somewhat, it also meant that everyone was now soaked to the skin. I have to confess that I was quite happy that I had to get back home (my lift wasn't waiting for Mass) so I got out of the whole thing relatively unscathed, but, I heard later, that by the end of the Mass, the bishop and the priests had dried out from the sun and then ended up soaked again, this time by sweat - one person told me that it looked like somebody had turned a hose on to them.
The event was a big success, and well done to those who organised it, but it also reveals some of the challenges that organisers will have to take seriously for WYD - the heat, the rain, the availability of drinking water, sunburn, and food will all need to be planned for very carefully.
Saturday, 21 April 2018
Vocations Week Celebration
This Sunday is Good Shepherd Sunday. As a lead up to this celebration which is traditionally associated with vocations to the priesthood and religious life the seminarians had dedicated this week to the whole idea of vocation. I was the one who was responsible for the masses this week so I had to preach on that theme each day.
Last night, to finish off the week, they had a celebration. First they played volleyball (during which one of them hurt his leg - he went off to hospital today, still not back) which they followed up with a small party. They told me that it was a barbecue but they actually only barbecued chorizo sausages and the rest of the food was crisps, minerals, and things like that.
It was, all in all, a very simple celebration but they really enjoyed it. They don't really get a lot of down time together and this was a moment to be made the most of it. In fact, today there was a notable lift in the atmosphere around the place.
I had a quiet day and did some work in my room - I didn't realise I was on the mass this morning as well but, it seems someone stood in for me. Tomorrow I am going to a Convivencia, which is a sort of meeting cum workshop. I will have more to say about that tomorrow
Last night, to finish off the week, they had a celebration. First they played volleyball (during which one of them hurt his leg - he went off to hospital today, still not back) which they followed up with a small party. They told me that it was a barbecue but they actually only barbecued chorizo sausages and the rest of the food was crisps, minerals, and things like that.
It was, all in all, a very simple celebration but they really enjoyed it. They don't really get a lot of down time together and this was a moment to be made the most of it. In fact, today there was a notable lift in the atmosphere around the place.
I had a quiet day and did some work in my room - I didn't realise I was on the mass this morning as well but, it seems someone stood in for me. Tomorrow I am going to a Convivencia, which is a sort of meeting cum workshop. I will have more to say about that tomorrow
Friday, 20 April 2018
Locks and Blocks
I was invited yesterday to go to the other side of the country (which isn't a very long distance away due to the fact that Panama is an isthmus) to visit the new extension of the famous canal. The old canal, which is still used, is not wide or deep enough to accommodate the modern supertankers so it was decided that they would open another parallel canal to the existing one. This has the added benefit of increasing the overall traffic through the canal(s) which will bring a significant increase to the income the state gains from the canal.
Ships are booked in approximately seven years in advance to pass through the canal and they pay according to the value of their cargo. It is a gargantuan operation and the money earned from this enterprise contributes greatly to the National Domestic Product of Panama. In fact, if it weren't for the canal, I suspect the country would go broke in a matter of months.
Two years ago when I was here I saw the new lock gates that had been designed and built in Italy and assembled here. they are each bigger than the pitch in Croke Park! The trip yesterday was to see them functioning but...
Strikes here mean that everything stops. Large crowds hold their demonstrations on the streets of cities - as you might expect. What is a little bit different in Central and South America, is that they also block main roads by placing barricades on them. These barricades are supervised/ protected/ guarded depending on your point of view. Travelling when there is a strike is just not possible - and is extremely unwise. It looks like the visit to the lock gates will have to wait until another day.
Ships are booked in approximately seven years in advance to pass through the canal and they pay according to the value of their cargo. It is a gargantuan operation and the money earned from this enterprise contributes greatly to the National Domestic Product of Panama. In fact, if it weren't for the canal, I suspect the country would go broke in a matter of months.
Two years ago when I was here I saw the new lock gates that had been designed and built in Italy and assembled here. they are each bigger than the pitch in Croke Park! The trip yesterday was to see them functioning but...
Strikes here mean that everything stops. Large crowds hold their demonstrations on the streets of cities - as you might expect. What is a little bit different in Central and South America, is that they also block main roads by placing barricades on them. These barricades are supervised/ protected/ guarded depending on your point of view. Travelling when there is a strike is just not possible - and is extremely unwise. It looks like the visit to the lock gates will have to wait until another day.
Thursday, 19 April 2018
Permanent Deacons, Lay Leaders, and Clergy - all responsible for the life of the church
This week has turned out to be much busier, as I suspected. I was asked over the last few days to take on a course with a group of 87 catechists. This involves a three hour lecture on both Tuesday and Wednesday nights. As is not unusual here, there hasn't been a lot of time to get ready so my focus has been on preparing classes over the last few days.
INFAP - not too sure what the initials stand for - is a body set up by the diocese here to provide theological, catechetical and religious formation for cathechists, young people, and for those preparing for the Permanent Diaconate (and anyone else who might be interested). The group that I am working with inludes people from all of these groups, and also has a few Anglicans thrown in for good measure.
The whole set up, which is huge, is managed by a Columbian nun who is a Dominican Sister of the Presentation. Sr. Rosemary is a highly competent person who has the whole thing running like clockwork. She is also one of those sisters who tends to get her way. Something tells me I might be doing more work with her in the future. In fact, I am quite happy to do this as it is a very interesting group to be part of.
Panama doesn't have nearly enough priests to staff its parishes - and has never had. This means that trained laity and permanent deacons are vital to the life of the church here. I have never seen so many permanent (mostly married) deacons - and I have certainly never seen anywhere where the role of deacon is so well understood, valued, and deployed in ministry. These men, who also have their day jobs, work in a very dedicated way in their parishes - they lead Sunday services, they preside at funerals, baptisms, and weddings, they lead catechesis groups, they bury the dead, and do so many more things.
Trained laity are another essesntial element of the church here. Catechists who pass on the faith to others are also community leaders, in every sense of the word. It is a wonderful experience to see how these two groups, together with the clergy, are all responsible for the life of the church in Panama - so different to Ireland, or, for that matter, anywhere else I have ever lived.
As Ireland begins to notice more and more that there is a lack of priests we would do well to learn from somewhere like Panama - but, I suspect, we are unlikely to do so.
In the meantime, it's the head down for me as I try to stay ahead of the posse, preparing classes for next week - Good Night!
INFAP - not too sure what the initials stand for - is a body set up by the diocese here to provide theological, catechetical and religious formation for cathechists, young people, and for those preparing for the Permanent Diaconate (and anyone else who might be interested). The group that I am working with inludes people from all of these groups, and also has a few Anglicans thrown in for good measure.
The whole set up, which is huge, is managed by a Columbian nun who is a Dominican Sister of the Presentation. Sr. Rosemary is a highly competent person who has the whole thing running like clockwork. She is also one of those sisters who tends to get her way. Something tells me I might be doing more work with her in the future. In fact, I am quite happy to do this as it is a very interesting group to be part of.
Panama doesn't have nearly enough priests to staff its parishes - and has never had. This means that trained laity and permanent deacons are vital to the life of the church here. I have never seen so many permanent (mostly married) deacons - and I have certainly never seen anywhere where the role of deacon is so well understood, valued, and deployed in ministry. These men, who also have their day jobs, work in a very dedicated way in their parishes - they lead Sunday services, they preside at funerals, baptisms, and weddings, they lead catechesis groups, they bury the dead, and do so many more things.
Trained laity are another essesntial element of the church here. Catechists who pass on the faith to others are also community leaders, in every sense of the word. It is a wonderful experience to see how these two groups, together with the clergy, are all responsible for the life of the church in Panama - so different to Ireland, or, for that matter, anywhere else I have ever lived.
As Ireland begins to notice more and more that there is a lack of priests we would do well to learn from somewhere like Panama - but, I suspect, we are unlikely to do so.
In the meantime, it's the head down for me as I try to stay ahead of the posse, preparing classes for next week - Good Night!
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