On Monday, I was one of a number who accompanied the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Giovanni d'Aniello, on his visit to Tham Hin refugee camp in Ratchaburi Province. It is one of nine refugee camps in Thailand and is home to over 9,500 mostly Burmese Karen refugees.
Today was the regular visit of our pastoral group to the prison for mass and a chat. All the prisoners we visit are foreign nationals who are there for drug trafficking. Like the Burmese refugees, they stay put for a long time in a restricted area and lifestyle but both groups are where they are for different reasons.
This is my week and I see a connection between what may be seen as two totally different events. The connection is the theme for each visit - solidarity.
Solidarity is a central human motif. It helps make us who we are as human beings. To live in solidarity gives expression to our shared human reality. It does not just make our load lighter. More than that it makes us more human and builds up our sense of dignity and integrity. it shows that we appreciate how much we have to share and learn from each other.
To deny solidarity serves to dehumanise us. It turns us into selfish, greedy individuals and stops us from achieving our greatness in life.
Our greatness is not just in who we are as individuals but in who we are together. In the words of the Nuncio at the camp - "We are for the other to show how our God is able to love."
I am John Murray, an Australian, Catholic priest of the Order of St Augustine. I live and work in Thailand and have been here since October 2005. I have many stories from my life journey and would simply like to share some of them. So hope you enjoy and go away sometime with a smile or a helpful little insight.
We gather
to give thanks for my 25 years.
No comments:
Post a Comment