UNHCR announced this week budget cutbacks in assistance it provides to the local urban refugee population. What is happening in Europe and elsewhere with the global financial crisis (GFC as it is named) is now having its 'trickle down' effect. There is having its impact here on wider populations and issues as there just isn't the money being given by the big donors to bodies like the UN. This means that the big agencies just cannot keep helping their target populations as they have been. Once again, it is the poor who suffer even more, the victim who remains the victim.
This would surely be the experience in Spain, Greece, Ireland or elsewhere where the GFC has hit with such ferocity. Those who suffer the most anywhere are the working man and woman, the little people, the ordinary citizen as they don't have what it takes to protect themselves from such crisis when it hits. That is the way it seems of the world. Now it is the turn of these poor people here who are already desperate enough and will now only know a little more desperation. You wonder how much people can take before they crack.
As a priest in my role here with these people, I have the great privilege of seeing the other side of what is happening in the midst of the GFC. Despite all the hardship, what I see happening, as ones approach me from back home and beyond in the west about wanting to help refugees I know, is that the little people, the ordinary citizen, the working man and woman, the decent and kind individual continue to give to those who remain desperate and vulnerable in our world. It is humbling to see these people give out of their own need, looking beyond their own suffering and concerns to help others whom they regard as being so much worse off, despite any economic crisis.
It tells me that there remains a generosity and a kindness in humanity no matter what and it says that the human spirit for goodness and compassion cannot be killed off by hardship and crisis but continues to shine in its little and unknown ways. There is another side to the story of hardship and crisis in the west that we are told in the media and that is that the goodness of people still lives and is undying.
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.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Thursday, January 24, 2013
I can't rescue anyone or anything
How true! Following on from last week, I have to say that it is just not people I can't rescue, no matter how much I want, but also institutions or organisations. I say this because I work for one - Caritas Thailand - and my role with NCCM (the Catholic Commission on Migration) within Caritas is one of leadership and no matter how perfect I may like it to be, I cannot rescue it in anyway or to any extent to make it perfect. That is not my role and I am not able to do that. Like my work with urban refugees, it is about doing what I can as best I can and being there to help.
As John XXIII used to say on going to bed (or so they say) - "It is your Church, Lord, I am going to bed".
As John XXIII used to say on going to bed (or so they say) - "It is your Church, Lord, I am going to bed".
Saturday, January 19, 2013
No, I don't have to help
On reflecting further after my last entry on my week that has been, I recognise Wednesday as its turning point for me. On that day, I was at the Bangkok Refugee Center (BRC) and I had a number of refugee cases coming to see me, all with the same line which was that I had to help them. Well, that may be their line but is this my role and is it even possible?
The latter question can be answered easily. No, it is not possible to meet everyone's needs in this work as there just aren't the resources to give them what they demand. The former question re my role presents a more complex issue as it revolves around a philosophical approach that I hold for my role. Basically, my role is to help this population. It is not to respond to their every need as presented and is not to solve their life issues. This is not just about what is possible but about what is a good philosophy in helping others. An example from Wednesday may help.
A Pakistani family that I had never seen before presented themselves in my office unannounced. Their basic line was to present their story of incredibly dreadful persecution of their family in Pakistan at the hands of extremist Muslims from which they had to flee. They then proceeded to profess their Catholicism and commitment to the Church which led to their proclaiming that, as a Catholic priest, I had to help them, Catholics, and as they demanded. My immediate response was - I know my role and, no, I don't have to help.
I don't help people just because they are Catholic. I help all, no matter their religion. Any determination of help that can be given is made on the basis of level of need and vulnerability and what is possible with available resources. I can't just help people on the basis of their presenting at my office with their tragic story. The truth is you hear one tragedy and then the next family comes and their case is even more tragic. So what do you do? My monthly budget can't meet all the demands made on it and is not simply there for ones who come to my office. In this ministry, I have to act wisely and make tough decisions. So help, and help as they demanded, was not possible for me to offer.
Further to this, I can't just give solutions to people's problems. That is neither possible nor healthy for me or them. I am there to help and not to give solutions to everyone. This was part of their demand - give us what we ask and we will be okay. To go down this path is to make me into a magician or an ATM and the question is - where do you get such resources from to fulfill every case? It is just not sustainable. Nor is it healthy as people have to be part of their own solution and become dependent, no matter how desperate the situation. This is about upholding dignity and respect for those presently so desperately in their need. This is my philosophical stance.
On a personal note, Wednesday took its toll. On the basis of a philosophical stance in helping people, of using criteria in judging if to help at this time and of available resources, I made a decision which was not to help this family. Still it was hard to do and the task of Wednesday in dealing with demanding cases was part of what made my week tiring and led to my becoming irritable at its end.
On Friday, I was back at BRC and a member of staff approached me yet again about an issue. I finally asked her to stand back as I did not want to get involved in gossip and would only get involved if we could act positively on the situation. I realised that this member of staff, who so often approaches me when things go wrong, is a rescuer of others. What I saw in her tells me a lot about my Wednesday. I can't be a rescuer. People have to be helped to act for themselves. Money is needed for food and rent, that is for sure. Still that is not the whole story and what is needed is much more than such a simple interpretation of how to help. People's dignity and respect are at stake and people still have to remain as far as able to act for themselves and not just hand their issues over to another to solve. Not the way to go for anyone concerned!
The latter question can be answered easily. No, it is not possible to meet everyone's needs in this work as there just aren't the resources to give them what they demand. The former question re my role presents a more complex issue as it revolves around a philosophical approach that I hold for my role. Basically, my role is to help this population. It is not to respond to their every need as presented and is not to solve their life issues. This is not just about what is possible but about what is a good philosophy in helping others. An example from Wednesday may help.
A Pakistani family that I had never seen before presented themselves in my office unannounced. Their basic line was to present their story of incredibly dreadful persecution of their family in Pakistan at the hands of extremist Muslims from which they had to flee. They then proceeded to profess their Catholicism and commitment to the Church which led to their proclaiming that, as a Catholic priest, I had to help them, Catholics, and as they demanded. My immediate response was - I know my role and, no, I don't have to help.
I don't help people just because they are Catholic. I help all, no matter their religion. Any determination of help that can be given is made on the basis of level of need and vulnerability and what is possible with available resources. I can't just help people on the basis of their presenting at my office with their tragic story. The truth is you hear one tragedy and then the next family comes and their case is even more tragic. So what do you do? My monthly budget can't meet all the demands made on it and is not simply there for ones who come to my office. In this ministry, I have to act wisely and make tough decisions. So help, and help as they demanded, was not possible for me to offer.
Further to this, I can't just give solutions to people's problems. That is neither possible nor healthy for me or them. I am there to help and not to give solutions to everyone. This was part of their demand - give us what we ask and we will be okay. To go down this path is to make me into a magician or an ATM and the question is - where do you get such resources from to fulfill every case? It is just not sustainable. Nor is it healthy as people have to be part of their own solution and become dependent, no matter how desperate the situation. This is about upholding dignity and respect for those presently so desperately in their need. This is my philosophical stance.
On a personal note, Wednesday took its toll. On the basis of a philosophical stance in helping people, of using criteria in judging if to help at this time and of available resources, I made a decision which was not to help this family. Still it was hard to do and the task of Wednesday in dealing with demanding cases was part of what made my week tiring and led to my becoming irritable at its end.
On Friday, I was back at BRC and a member of staff approached me yet again about an issue. I finally asked her to stand back as I did not want to get involved in gossip and would only get involved if we could act positively on the situation. I realised that this member of staff, who so often approaches me when things go wrong, is a rescuer of others. What I saw in her tells me a lot about my Wednesday. I can't be a rescuer. People have to be helped to act for themselves. Money is needed for food and rent, that is for sure. Still that is not the whole story and what is needed is much more than such a simple interpretation of how to help. People's dignity and respect are at stake and people still have to remain as far as able to act for themselves and not just hand their issues over to another to solve. Not the way to go for anyone concerned!
Friday, January 18, 2013
Life is hectic
On many fronts, this week has been very hectic. It has been full of all sorts of activity. In the midst of it all, I just keep to my working motto - Do what you can. I really can't fix or control everything. As my week developed and responsibilities (not so much the tasks) mounted, I can see need for a more personal, underlying motto - Take care of Number 1! That is a line from my great mate, Ray, and how true! As he will say - no one else will.
This week is but a sign of things to come, or that is my take as I have begun in a new role at Caritas Thailand - Executive Director of NCCM (National Catholic Commission for Migration). It is a big ask for me as it takes on demanding and challenging responsibilities. Why did I take it on when there were good reasons not to?
Firstly, I can't just say "No" to such requests as one can't be too protective of oneself and simply deny a call to take up further responsibilities. That would seem to go against the whole philosophy of Christian mission and service. Then there is a good friend who has worked in this area here and his advice was that I would be good for the task and make a good contribution. So why not take it up, even if reluctantly?
I must say that I hate the title. So personally, I am cutting out the Executive part as it all sounds too much. On a more serous level, I see already how the task takes its toll on me as by the end of the week I found myself getting irritable with different ones and their requests or actions. This is not good. What is this a sign of? I am simply human and doing my best. So why worry? Or is it about how I always wish to do my best when with others, nearly be perfect all the time. This is not a healthy way to proceed for no other reason that I am only human and this is not possible. What I also see is that maybe the irritableness is my personal business and I deal with it. What is happening through it is that I am being more assertive and expressing my opinion as I have less time just to be nice. So why not? Well, I don't want to become someone else.
That is it! In all, be true to self. Be who I am and not what I become because of some role or task. Don't let outside forces, tasks determine who I am in the world or allow them to make me other than who I am. I determine who I want to be and that is it.
This week is but a sign of things to come, or that is my take as I have begun in a new role at Caritas Thailand - Executive Director of NCCM (National Catholic Commission for Migration). It is a big ask for me as it takes on demanding and challenging responsibilities. Why did I take it on when there were good reasons not to?
Firstly, I can't just say "No" to such requests as one can't be too protective of oneself and simply deny a call to take up further responsibilities. That would seem to go against the whole philosophy of Christian mission and service. Then there is a good friend who has worked in this area here and his advice was that I would be good for the task and make a good contribution. So why not take it up, even if reluctantly?
I must say that I hate the title. So personally, I am cutting out the Executive part as it all sounds too much. On a more serous level, I see already how the task takes its toll on me as by the end of the week I found myself getting irritable with different ones and their requests or actions. This is not good. What is this a sign of? I am simply human and doing my best. So why worry? Or is it about how I always wish to do my best when with others, nearly be perfect all the time. This is not a healthy way to proceed for no other reason that I am only human and this is not possible. What I also see is that maybe the irritableness is my personal business and I deal with it. What is happening through it is that I am being more assertive and expressing my opinion as I have less time just to be nice. So why not? Well, I don't want to become someone else.
That is it! In all, be true to self. Be who I am and not what I become because of some role or task. Don't let outside forces, tasks determine who I am in the world or allow them to make me other than who I am. I determine who I want to be and that is it.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Cambodia Dreams
No, I am not losing the plot. Neither am I moving to Cambodia. It was that last night I went to a restricted screening put on by Thai PBS of a feature film, named "Cambodia Dreams".
This film was made by a New Zealander, Stanley Harper. It presents the story of a poor, Cambodian farming family during the post-Khmer Rouge period. At this time, Cambodia had been ravaged and could not produce food to feed its people. People in the countryside knew starvation.
This film follows the plight of one poor, rural Cambodian family suffering from hunger. Half of the family fled to a refugee camp in Thailand in search of food. The other half stayed in the village in Cambodia. Those in the camp ended up staying there for 12 years, returning home in 1992. This was a typical scenario which resulted in families being divided.
In returning home from the camps, there were the huge challenges of family reunification and reconciliation following such a long ordeal. Where would those returning live? Would they be accepted back into their families and villages? How would they live and feed themselves? It was about dispossessed refugees returning home unnanounced and what sort of welcome and home would they find and how would those who stayed cope with this sudden return after so long? It was all unknown and frightening for all concerned. The story shows how reunification and reconciliation can happen as people choose to believe in who they are and where they come from.
As Stanley Harper spoke after the film, he made a statement which hit me in the face. There he was in the village on the return home of those who had been in the the refugee camp for 12 years. He was waiting to see what would happen and he did not notice anything dramatic but then it struck him -
I HAD NOT SEEN WHAT I HAD BEEN LOOKING AT.
Reconciliation was happening all along right there in front of him and he did not recognise it.
Wow! How true that is for any of us in life. We just don't see what is happening right in front of us. We don't see the good. We don't understand the situation before us for what it is. How often, we just don't get it.
This film was made by a New Zealander, Stanley Harper. It presents the story of a poor, Cambodian farming family during the post-Khmer Rouge period. At this time, Cambodia had been ravaged and could not produce food to feed its people. People in the countryside knew starvation.
This film follows the plight of one poor, rural Cambodian family suffering from hunger. Half of the family fled to a refugee camp in Thailand in search of food. The other half stayed in the village in Cambodia. Those in the camp ended up staying there for 12 years, returning home in 1992. This was a typical scenario which resulted in families being divided.
In returning home from the camps, there were the huge challenges of family reunification and reconciliation following such a long ordeal. Where would those returning live? Would they be accepted back into their families and villages? How would they live and feed themselves? It was about dispossessed refugees returning home unnanounced and what sort of welcome and home would they find and how would those who stayed cope with this sudden return after so long? It was all unknown and frightening for all concerned. The story shows how reunification and reconciliation can happen as people choose to believe in who they are and where they come from.
As Stanley Harper spoke after the film, he made a statement which hit me in the face. There he was in the village on the return home of those who had been in the the refugee camp for 12 years. He was waiting to see what would happen and he did not notice anything dramatic but then it struck him -
I HAD NOT SEEN WHAT I HAD BEEN LOOKING AT.
Reconciliation was happening all along right there in front of him and he did not recognise it.
Wow! How true that is for any of us in life. We just don't see what is happening right in front of us. We don't see the good. We don't understand the situation before us for what it is. How often, we just don't get it.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Be flexible
Today I am talking with someone who arrived yesterday from Australia to do some work with the refugees. We had a set timetable for his work here but I discovered only in talking now with him that we did not share the same understanding. He thought that he was to work this afternoon, tomorrow and Sunday, and was asking about coming this afternoon. I have other plans laid and my whole weekend is busy anyway with the shared task we have in hand. Beside I had already told him by email that today was not possible and that the available days were Saturday and Sunday. So what's going on?
This led to my entering into an assertive discussion led by me on how we cannot assume anything as that enters into trouble and that our basic communication is amiss. As I was talking, I was thinking this is an over the top response by me. Just make my point and get on with it. His response was that we just need to be flexible. I always say that there has to be Plan B. So, yes, be felxible.
So what was the root of my strong response? Was it that I am a busy man and here is someone altering my plans and making another demand on me that I can't cope with? Was it that I like everything planned and don't deal with last minute changes? Was it that I am a perfectionist and that I don't cope with any imperfection? We can leave the reasoning to the side.
I suspect it is coming out of my general stance toward life as I start the year in new work roles that make more demands on me and increase the pressure, while also recognising my central and personal need to engage in unravelling the mystery of my life as I face the next stage in life. This is all a big ask and takes its toll. So one maybe becomes more tender, more vulnerable while caught up in all of this and just does not cope as well with the sudden demand or change. I see that I am prepared for the big ask, the big change of the day but not for the small one which catches you out by surprise and you have to deal with on the spot. They say that it is the small things that become all important in life.
If all this is so, then I need to be flexible more than ever. My chosen stance to life is that I can't do everything nor can I make things perfect or be the solution for everyone else but I will do what I can and that is all I can do. I then apply this to my year as it begins and my quest to unravel the mystery. I can't plan this quest and I can't control it. So the best advice comes from my colleague today - be flexible AND especially in the small challenges and demands.
This led to my entering into an assertive discussion led by me on how we cannot assume anything as that enters into trouble and that our basic communication is amiss. As I was talking, I was thinking this is an over the top response by me. Just make my point and get on with it. His response was that we just need to be flexible. I always say that there has to be Plan B. So, yes, be felxible.
So what was the root of my strong response? Was it that I am a busy man and here is someone altering my plans and making another demand on me that I can't cope with? Was it that I like everything planned and don't deal with last minute changes? Was it that I am a perfectionist and that I don't cope with any imperfection? We can leave the reasoning to the side.
I suspect it is coming out of my general stance toward life as I start the year in new work roles that make more demands on me and increase the pressure, while also recognising my central and personal need to engage in unravelling the mystery of my life as I face the next stage in life. This is all a big ask and takes its toll. So one maybe becomes more tender, more vulnerable while caught up in all of this and just does not cope as well with the sudden demand or change. I see that I am prepared for the big ask, the big change of the day but not for the small one which catches you out by surprise and you have to deal with on the spot. They say that it is the small things that become all important in life.
If all this is so, then I need to be flexible more than ever. My chosen stance to life is that I can't do everything nor can I make things perfect or be the solution for everyone else but I will do what I can and that is all I can do. I then apply this to my year as it begins and my quest to unravel the mystery. I can't plan this quest and I can't control it. So the best advice comes from my colleague today - be flexible AND especially in the small challenges and demands.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)