IT is close to 15 centuries since Gregory the Great told us: "Saints are caught up in a war of troubles, doing battle at the same. time with some enemies who use force and with some use persuasion. Like great doctors, they endure the pain of their own wounds, and offer healing medicine to all people." Two centuries earlier, the 50 year old Bishop of Constantinople, St John Chrysostom, had written: "The waves are many and the surging seas are dangerous. But we are not afraid of drowning, for we are standing on the Rock. Though the waves tower on high, they cannot overwhelm the boat of Jesus".
We tend to think that the risks of violent death for God's servants were a feature of distant ages. In recent days, we have seen ministers of Christ face danger and death as they served the people of God.
The demands of witness can today cost not less than everything. Another word for "witness is "martyr."
Bishop Pierre Lucien Clavarie, OP, the Dominican Bishop of Oran in Algeria, was murdered as he returned from prayers for the seven Trappist monks who were slain in May. No dangers could stop his efforts for dialogue and friendship between Islam and Christianity. He made a profound study of Islam and the Kabyle culture and was ever eager to promote harmony. He came from the privileged white Christian class of Algeria and was an outstanding Dominican priest. He wished to break dawn barriers and to establish lasting harmony.
At the early age of 43. he was made bishop and was widely known and loved as "bishop of the Muslims". He prayed and studied and toiled for an end to all hatred. He developed fruitful dialogue between Islam and Christianity. He condemned arrogance and violence from all sections and constantly sought humility, charity and the grace for all to listen and to pray. He begged for tolerance, reverence and an appreciation of all that was beautiful and good and true. His words were prophetic. He had been trained to respect truth wherever it is found. "Ask not `who staid it?' Ask `Is it true?"'
"I am personally convinced that humanity is pluralist and that when we claim to possess Truth or to speak in the name of all humanity, we fall prey to exclusion . . . No one possesses the Truth. Every good person is searching for it. I believe that God exists, but I do not claim to possess God. One does not possess God ... I need the truth or other seekers too. This is my experience with thousands of Algerians whose existence I share. Their questions are ray questions.
His death evoked sorrow and praise and prayer all across the nation. May his life shed life for all peoples in the days to come. He knew there were risks, but he would say: "A ship is safe in harbour. But that is not what ships are for". He was a good shepherd and, like his Master, willingly laid down his life for the flock. As we salute his memory, we too can learn the gospel lessons of fidelity and of love.
Lord, Holy Father, Giver of every good gift,
You send your Holy Spirit to bring together a people divided by sin.
Give to us your healing and the grace to foster unity and peace.
We ask this through Christ, our
Lord.