Presiding

The regulations on travel are very strict here in Honduras. I can leave Plan Grande where I live only once every two weeks.

As a result, I have only been to Mass once over the last three months. I have also, for a number of reasons not participated in celebrations here or in other places. I have my concerns about the lack of precautions and haven’t wanted to give a “bad example” by participating in gatherings of many people.

I did make four exceptions. I presided over one funeral in a distant village; I led prayers for the dead in the houses of two people who died here in Plan Grande; I led a funeral in church here. These made a lot of sense for me – burying the dead is a work of mercy and part of my diaconal ministry.

Today I walked out to the church and met one of the ministers. I asked her what the noise was about last night. They fumigated the church so that they could have Celebrations of the Word today.

The Honduran Bishops Conference has released protocols and the local authorities have gathered people to talk about the protocols for a gradual opening up of the country (although we will still not be able to go out more than once every two weeks).

The protocols include disinfecting the church before and after every service. The number of persons are limited and distancing must be observed. People who enter must have masks; they are sprayed with a disinfectant and have to use anti-bacteria gel. (In some places, with the electronic thermometers, temperatures must be taken.

The church was prepared. The people were good about the regulations and sat separated.

When Gloria asked me if I would preside, I said yes, even though I had not prepared a homily.

Since today is the Feast of the Blessed Trinity, I decided on a few points.

First of all, we are made in the image and likeness of God, who is community. So we too are not isolated individuals, but members of a community – called to respond to God and the needs of others.

Our God is, as the first reading noted that God is compassionate, merciful, faithful. And so we are called to be a God is. I decided to address the question of COVID-19 and the precautionary measures in this context.

There are a number of people who don’t take precautionary measures seriously and some consider the use of masks a sign of fear. I decided to address this directly.

I wear a mask not so much for me as for the community. It is not a sign of fear but an act of love, thinking more of others than me. Masks feel constraining – and, at times, they are hot. But they are ways of saying that this is not about my comfort but about the safety of others, of the community.

The feast of the Trinity is about our God, a God who is not a self-enclosed monad, but a community of love. It’s a community so filled with love – that God so loved the world to send the Son, who gave himself completely for us.

That’s not exactly what I said – but it’s what I want people to pray about these days.

I also spoke at the end of the Celebration on the why and how of precautionary measures. I also made sure that they knew the symptoms – and the need to contact the public health system if they experience these.

But the question remains: How can we live in the image and likeness of the Triune God – who is loved poured out for others? How can we live this love as Honduras begins a processing of reopening businesses and other institutions?

Slowly the churches will be opening her in Honduras. I hope this is done with care, because the vulnerable – the poor, the aged, the sick – are those who will be most at risk and will have fewer resources to respond.

And what will I be called to do?

Wait, listen, open my heart, pray, and respond with compassion.

living with the curfew - the week after Easter

STAY AT HOME - ¡QUEDATE EN CASA

I’m an introvert. I have lived by myself for about fifty years. At times I did have someone living with me for short periods; I did have two roommates during my two years of grad school at Boston College; I took care of Dad at home in Ames for the last two or so years of his life; and I had a few people stay with me there for a few months. But I’m used to staying at home alone.

I like to have people over and have loved cooking big meals. I often did this for groups of students when I worked in campus ministry in Ames. But when they left, I turned the music on loud and washed the dishes – by myself.

Being alone, you can decide what you are going to do and don’t have to always plan with someone else.

One of the challenges for me of being a deacon and working in the church is that, though one might live alone, it is important to be available, to be willing to change schedules to meet the needs of people.

And so the curfew we are under has not been super hard for me. I’ve finished four books and am in the middle of three more. I’ve cleaned a few rooms of the house. I’ve made soup and baked bread. I’ve been in contact with a few friends by telephone and Skype or Zoom. It’s been a little lonely, but not overly difficult. Most of all I miss the human contact.

THE CURFEWS

We’ve been under various levels of curfew for the past month or so. Right now we’re permitted to go out to banks and markets only once a week – on a day determined by the last digit of our id. You can go out other mornings to the local small stores (called tiendas or pulperías here.) I’ve gone out to get water or eggs and went to Dulce Nombre once to get cooking gas and a few groceries. My next chance will be this coming Thursday. 

Some communities are closing themselves off almost completely, including Santa Rosa de Copán and, closer to home, San Agustín. They let emergency vehicles and selected and inspected vehicles to bring in provisions. Towns and villages have set up road blocks at the entrance to some areas. The vehicles and persons are sprayed with a disinfectant. There is one spray for people (gente) and another for vehicles. I have no idea how effective they are. My pickup and I got sprayed several times last week.

Otherwise we’re confined. The message is “Quedate en casa – Stay at home!”

I believe in the efficacy and importance of the curfew and have been a bit upset when I see people gathering together. The concept of “social distancing” is, I believe, almost completely foreign to the Honduran culture. I expect that there will be more governmental restrictions to try to curtail the interaction and prevent the spread of the virus, due to the lack of social distancing.

I’ve worn a mask at times and often warned people about getting too close to one another. One reaction I’ve had from two guys is that this is because of “fear.” That may be a macho reaction or a reaction of young guys who have no sense of taking precautions. But it is troubling. Yet there are some who take it seriously.

DISTRIBUTING AID

Yet last week I went out for three days to several communities, accompanying some people from the municipality to distribute a bag of food and a bag of soaps and bleach to poor families.

This has been a very interesting experience. I'm glad my pick up is in good shape (and I had a tank full of fuel).

Our pastor, Padre German, had insisted ,when he met with the mayors, that the aid must not be politicized and that it must go to the neediest.

The mayor of Concepción did not go with us – which to me is a good sign, though the assistant mayor was with us several times. Many volunteers did wear the government employee vests, but I did not hear them talk about the aid in a partisan way. At least in our area, the bags with aid had no government propaganda in them or on the bags, as I’ve seen in other distribution of bags to the needy. They sometimes walked a distance to deliver the bags to the families.

What was most interesting for me was the attitude of these young workers, most of whom I already knew, though not well. I found out a few things: two days I worked with a young couple from a nearby town whose young twins call me ‘Ho! Ho!” -  thinking I am Santa Claus!

Driving the workers around, I listened as they talked about the distribution. They wanted to make sure that the neediest get the help they need. They had lists that local leaders had prepared, but at times they questioned them. They also sometimes made decisions on the spot to benefit the neediest.

This did not go over well in a couple of places. Some people wanted the aid to be given equally to all. But only so much aid was available. Yet over 1500 households were helped.

My guess is that there will be further distributions in two weeks. I hope I can still help them in all this.

THE WIDER SITUATION

Last night the government reported 397 cases with 25 deaths. But the numbers are probably higher. There are reports that some 19 or so sailors who were flown in from Dubai via Brazil have tested positive but have not been included in the government statistics. There is one reported case in the department of Copán where I live.

The government is also telling people to wear masks when they go out in public. But how will people be able to find them or buy them or even make them. There was a report that the government is going to be distributing masks in San Pedro Sula where there is the highest incidence of cases of COVID-19.

A real worry is hunger. Honduras has a poverty rate of 65%, according to the World Bank. With business closed and those in the informal economy (selling food, vegetables, and more on the street) virtually shut down, how are the people going to eat.

The government has set aside funds for providing emergency food stuffs through the municipalities. There seems to be some problems in a few areas and in the San Pedro Sula area there have been protests of hungry people. Here in the parish where I live the distribution seems to be going smoothly, though slowly in some places. The food is meant for the neediest, but some people are complaining and saying that all should get the aid. This may lead to some problems in future distribution of food stuffs.

There is some control of access to towns, as noted above. 

In at least one place, the road has been completely obstructed to prevent vehicles from passing through.

But, there are some people who are objecting to getting their cars or motorcycles sprayed. This could lead to some violence.

Another concern is how long people can endure the curfew. This is especially problematic since we are in the dry season and one of the hottest times of the year. It's been up to 89 in the share, here in Plan Grande. But a friend in La Entrada told me it was close to 99 there. I cannot begin to imagine how the people in San Pedro Sula and the northern coast are enduring temperatures close to 100 degrees or even higher.

But a really serious issue is the lack of medial supplies and infrastructure to response. Some medical personnel in San Pedro Sula have been protesting this, according to one report.

THE FUTURE

My fear is that COVID-19 may spread due to the lack of control by the authorities, the lackadaisical approach of many people, the lack of social distancing, and the lack of medical support. I hope that I am wrong.

In the meantime, I keep encouraging people to stay at home. I’ve had phone calls about religious education classes and Sunday celebrations. I try to explain the danger and the measures that may prevent the spread of the virus and tell them to wait.

What more?

Wait, patiently and attentively, ready to respond when needed.

And pray.

Curfew, violence, and continuing injustice

According to COPECO (sort of like FEMA) a few hours ago,  there are 139 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Honduras with seven deaths and three who have recovered. There have been no new cases.

The government has taken stringent preventative measures. There has been a curfew for about ten days – but it seemed very much an on-off type with people circulating during the day. Stricter measures were announced yesterday – four days of no circulation at all (except for emergency vehicles) and three days when people are allowed to circulate for a few hours each day to get to banks and supermarkets. This means that almost everyone has only one day to leave the house to get necessities.

There are also travel restrictions. The borders have been closed for a few days as well as entry through commercial airlines. Now only Honduran citizens or residents are allowed in, subject to strict checking at the airports and strict measures to prevent any spread of the virus.

It is interesting to note that some municipalities seem to be doing a better job at prevention and at getting the word out. The municipality of San Agustín has been stopping vehicles and fumigating them for more than five days. They also have announced that the town is closed off and only emergency entries and exits will be permitted. The mayor has called for help to assure transparency in the distribution of food and provisions.

I have also heard that at least one aldea has closed off entry. It is very close to the main road between La Entrada and Copán Ruinas (and the Guatemala border) and people from outside were entering the village. As a preventive measure they are closed.

But in the midst of this, the desperate situation of the majority of people continues. I have heard of protests of people who have no food and I have heard of government efforts to pass out basic provisions but I have not seen any of this and so I will not comment.

Yet... In the last few days, death has stalked through Plan Grande, where I live.

Friday, I presided at a small prayer in a house for an infant who died shortly after birth. I wrote about this earlier. Yesterday I visited the young woman (who is mentally and emotionally disabled) and brought her communion. I spent an hour talking with her family and saw friends and family dropping by to give them bread.

This morning I awoke to news of two deaths.

One was Don Andrés, a 97 year old man whom I had given a ride two times. The last time he sat in the front seat and we talked. Before he stepped out of the car, he promised to pray for me. The least I could do was to pray beside his coffin. What is most interesting is that he was an evangelical – but not the pushy type. I found out, talking to his son, that he had talked with them about me – and all I had done was give him a ride.

The second death was tragic. Last night about nine I heard “pop pop” a few times. I thought it was fireworks. But this morning I found out that it was gunfire. There seems to have been a dispute and the one guy shot the other six times. Alcohol was present.

I knew the twenty five year old who was killed and the family. I stopped by their house and talked with the family. The mother leaned on me. I put aside my social-distancing fears and held her and talked with her. What else can one do?

Violence, lack of medical care, lack of diversions for youth, the prevalence of alcohol, the lack of conflict management skills, and more are still here. And the poverty. The one who was killed was the only son still here in Honduras; his father and brothers are in the US.

I grieve.

As a way to keep in tough (and stay sane), I will try to write at least every two days. I also might try to do some reflections on My Walk the Way blog.

By the way, the Honduras Bishops Conference released a statement which I have yet to read. I may translate parts of it.

The challenge of a virus curfew

We’ve been on curfew since March 16 and this will continue at least until April 12, Easter. The new regulations prohibit travel on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The other days, access to supermarkets, banks, and other places to get supplies is limited to one day a week, dependent on your identity card. I can stock up on stuff on Fridays.

It feels strange to be confined at home, especially when I want to minister to those who are ill or bed-ridden.

Even for me, an introvert, it's not easy. But I have what I need - as well as the beauty of creation around me.

I have gone out two days – last Wednesday to Santa Rosa to get medicine for a person with severe depression who lives in a remote village and to transport a woman from the local health center to the hospital for surgery; the next day I delivered the medicine and then went to pray with a family in Plan Grande and bury a newborn who died a few hours after birth. Praying in the house beside the tiny coffin was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do recently.

But I stay at home, read, say hello to neighbors (with at least two meters between us), pray, clean, wash clothes, cook. I don’t have many concerns – only wondering if the gas for cooking will last.

I watched Pope Francis’ prayer and blessing on Friday, but I cannot get into televised Masses.

The remarks of a Spanish bishop are pointed:

“All this bombardment raises many questions for me. Aren’t we treating believers as if they don’t know how to pray and should depend on the clergy to do so? What have we done so far, have them as spectators?

“Don’t you think that so much Mass on screens keeps people in the passive role of spectators? Or is it that we want to justify our priesthood? Is it that the religious services already on television and radio stations aren’t enough? So far they have been.”

The challenge for the Church is to pray as the Church, wherever we are.

As for me, I’m trying to spend more time on the daily readings and need to pray the Liturgy of the Hours more slowly. I’ve prayed the rosary more than usual. I am also reading a lot and I may just have to work on that book on the diaconate I’ve been trying to write for at least two years.

But I still feel somewhat “useless.”

This feeling is connected to my desire to help – and, in a less noble sense, my desire to not be seen as one who is doing what needs to be done.

So I need to practice patience and put aside the desire to control.

But I think additional challenge for me is to be ready for the aftermath of this pandemic.

      What will we do, as a community of faith?

      We will console those who lost family members or friends.

      We will help rebuild community in our liturgies.

      We will resume the religious formation which we have put on hold.

In our parish, we will baptize 15 young adults, celebrate the sacrament of marriage for more than 20 couples, and celebrate close to 200 confirmations.

My guess is that many people here will also feel even more the trauma of daily life, with poverty, insecurity, and the isolation of more than a month of curfew.

But what can we do then in the face of the economic and social breakdown that has come upon us?

I pray that we do not return to the normal of the past – with inadequate health care, with a culture of individualism enhanced by poverty, where people just think of themselves and not their neighbors, especially those most in need.

I pray that we not return to a political and social system where the poor have little or no voice and authorities lord it over them, offering them hand-outs that are highly politicized.

I pray that we do not return to a clericalized church but have learned to pray as the Church in our homes and our places of work, while nurturing a deep hunger for the Eucharistic assemblies with the whole people of God – where we can share the Bread of Life.

I pray that I do not return to the normal of trying to control everything, to look good – while not opening myself to the needs of those around me.

I pray that God opens our hearts, transforms our live, and make of us a people.

And now I will close with some very controversial remarks.

The cardinal archbishop is taking the image of our Lady of Suyapa, the patroness of Honduras, over the country in an Armed Forces helicopter, to bless the country.

I have three major problems.

First of all, this feels like an appeal to magic. I believe in the power of prayer – to change the world and to change people, first of all ourselves. Secondly, this seems to be a very costly endeavor, when there are not enough ventilators and other medical supplies in the country. In addition, I object to the use of a military helicopter. Yes, the Virgin of Suyapa is the patroness of the Honduras Armed Forces. But, in the midst of a militarized country with police and military abuses of power, we need a disarmed Virgin to bless us. We need the vulnerability of Jesus in the Eucharist to bless us. We need hospitals, not helicopters.

I know this feat will make some people feel secure – but is this the type of security God wants?

Let’s continue to pray. Maybe this is the time to take seriously what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 6:6:

But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.