A bomb went off during the celebration of Mass on the first Sunday of Advent last year in Marawi in the Philippines. Three people were killed and a number of others injured. The perpetrators were unknown, but it probably had been done by a local rebel group. It reminded me of what happened to Columban Fr. Des Hartford who ministered in that city 25 years ago. He worked with Muslims and Christians in the city trying to bring peace and understanding between those communities whose relationship had been fragile for some time. Then Fr. Des was kidnapped by a group of Muslim guerrillas.
Fr. Des was held hostage by the group for twelve days. He was forced to sleep out in the open in corn fields and swamps of pampas grass. He and his captors kept on the move in difficult terrain to avoid detection. It was quite an ordeal which makes his statement on being released remarkable. He said, “To those who betrayed my trust and kindness and used me as a hostage, I would like to remind you that what you did is against the true spirit of Islam. It was un-Islamic.”
Previous to the kidnapping there had been two other attempts to kidnap Fr. Des. On another occasion he happened to be away when a grenade thrown into his house killed a two people. You might think he would be angry with and distrustful of Muslims. On the contrary, his missionary life was about trying to establish good relationships with Muslims. After his release he went on to say, “although my being taken hostage was a very painful experience and contrary to freedom and other human rights, I still believe that good will come from it. I encourage Muslims and Christians to goodwill, at all levels, to enter into a genuine dialogue with each other, so that together, we can build a lasting peace here in Mindanao and Sulu that is based on justice truth and love.”
Fr. Des could say what his captors did to him was un-Islamic because he respected and understood Islam. Of course, he could also point out to Christians what was un-Christian. But his energy went into believing in the possibilities that can emerge when as he observed, “Muslims and Christians of goodwill enter into dialogue.”
Fr. Des and other Columbans continued to devote themselves to working with Muslims despite being aware of the dangers and lack of success they might have. Reflecting on all this sometime later Fr. Des, a deeply spiritual person, said that he, “experienced that powerlessness is often the occasion of the Lord’s strength.”
Just a few years after these events Fr. Des fell ill with cancer. In his final illness those who accompanied him were impressed with his acceptance of his situation and said that Fr. Des “gave an eloquent witness of patience, courage and serenity.” That was not a surprise. He did just that during and after his ordeal.
Columban Fr. Brendan O’Sullivan lives and works at St. Columbans, Nebraska.