The Roman Catholic Way

You know that feeling you get when you realise that people look at you differently because you just said something? I bet that every single Roman Catholic has had that experience. Could be we were sitting talking, on the phone, in class, in a group and for whatever reason the question gets asked: "By the way, I don't know, what religion are you?" We do an internal sigh (I do) and say "Roman Catholic". Watch the faces in the room, hear the audibly gasps followed by a deafening silence and smile to yourself (I do) when they all try to say something to move the conversation away from the 'R.C.' answer.

I am impressed by the mystery surrounding R.Cism. I can't understand the abject fear and horror that follows the announcement. Teachers have looked shocked. "You Aleiya, I would have never guessed." Why? Am I supposed to look or act a particular way? Friends have actually looked scared. Am I supposed to start doing logic defying feats?

My earliest memory that all was not 'normal' with my denomination was in grade 1. My preparatory school was Catholic and the R.C. students were called for a meeting. The teacher announced it thus: "All puss-a-lic students [cackle, cackle] are to go to the hall." [cackle, cackle]. And the joke was?

What is the fear? Are we the antichrist? Is there a straight link between us and the devil? Better yet, I suppose it's the practice of black art within our cult.

When Pope John Paul died someone came to me and said: "Yu hear yu pope dead?" More laughter. I was surprised though at the media coverage accorded, I firmly expected to have to do many a search online to find any information.

With all of this R.C.s try to be of benefit to the wider society. We travel to distant places, build schools, set up hospices and care for those no one else will touch. All without screaming, wearing make-up, dressing in thousand dollar suits and posing for photo 'ops'. Perhaps all those groups printing pamphlets and raging wars against R.C.s should save the money and use it for much more worthy causes.

Schools. There are several R.C. schools in this island. It amuses me greatly than parents will kill, bribe and cheat to get their non-R.C. child into these schools then complain bitterly about the R.C. atmosphere. And you expected what exactly? They come shouting, dragging their lawyers in tow and threatening about a school they chose. Might I offer you plenty of other schools?

Hospices. There are people in our society that no one would willingly touch. People, who because of others ignorance or compassion, no one can stand to even look at. These are the people most likely to be helped. I know plenty of stories of families 'dumping' their maggot-ridden loved ones at the footsteps of many a R.C. hospice. (Never a hospital, they would be required to give contact details.) Plenty of children who weren't born perfect are lying in the arms of some R.C. brother, father or sister.

And without a doubt the people helped are some of the loudest 'bun a pope' and 'bun a catolic' people out there. R.C.s are notorious for helping non-R.C.s. It seems to be something taught in church. Thanks are never expected, but insults and rudeness are shocking.

Brothers Marco Laspuna and Suresh Barwa had both, at 31 and 22 years, decided that serving the neediest was there calling. A bullet decided that they were not to finish that calling. I expect only the Catholics to weep. I hope to be wrong.

In a style definitely Christian, Father Ho Lung said he forgave them and that the work would continue. No brim stone and fire speech, no call for eternal damnation, no threats to close the many houses. Just forgiveness.

I suppose many people are laughing out there. I suppose many people could care less.

May the souls of Brother Marco and Brother Suresh, rest in peace for all eternity.