In the days when we only had one television channel, we had relatively little choice of what we might watch on television. In these days of streaming people are free to chose what they wish to watch at whatever time they like but such luxury was not part of our childhood. We depended on the taste of those in Donnybrook to ascertain the programming that might be to our taste or that might educate or improve our minds. I also strongly suspect that the cost of purchasing international programmes may have influenced the choices of the higher ups in RTE, otherwise why should we have had to endure the crudely made cartoons from Eastern Europe of Lolek and Bolek as opposed to the more sophisticated Looney Tunes of the USA.
One aspect of the programming that I always liked was on a Sunday afternoon when they would show the old Black and White movies. I loved the Ealing Comedies like The Ladykillers, Passport to Pimlico and Whisky Galore. There weren’t too many action flicks to be seen but from time to time there were stories of heroic people of faith that managed to leave an impression on me. I certainly admired some of the clergy on celluloid from the golden age of Hollywood. Here the priests were generally portrayed in a positive light; Bing Crosby’s Fr. O’Malley from Going My Way, Spencer Treacy’s Fr. Edward Flanagan from Boys Town or even Alec Guinness as Father Brown.
The priest that has always stayed with me from the classic days of Hollywood is Fr. Francis Chisolm played by Gregory Peck in the film based on the novel by A.J. Cronin called the Keys of the Kingdom, made in 1944. I have since even watched it from time to time on YouTube where it can still be seen in full for free. It tells the story of a Scottish priest who, having failed in his ministry at home in Scotland, offers to serve as a missionary in China. At first glance he appears destined for failure again as he refuses to compromise his principles by buying what are known as “rice Christians” He is determined to win people to faith by his witness and charity. He earns the disdain of his superiors who consider the low numbers of converts to his mission a further sign of Fr. Chisolm’s ineptitude as a priest.
However, when seen in the context of his whole life, Fr. Chisolm builds a strong and vibrant community of faith by virtue of his witness and service. As the time comes for him to return home to retire the port is filled with people who wish to show their respect for the departing priest including children for whom he has provided education and shelter, other Christian missionaries and native non-Christians, all of whom kneel for his blessing. His tolerance and love is visible to everyone. There is a scene in the film when his good friend, an atheist doctor, confesses on his death-bed that he still cannot believe in God and he says to the priest; “I never loved you more Francis than I do at this moment for not trying to bully me into heaven.”
I find myself thinking of this incredible missionary, albeit a fictional one, as we celebrate Mission Sunday this weekend. Throughout the Catholic world this Sunday every parishioner, every parish, will pray in a special way for the young missionary churches wherever they may be. World Mission Sunday is the Holy Father’s annual appeal for spiritual and financial support so that the life-giving work of overseas mission and missionaries can continue. It is a moment of universal solidarity when each member of the Church family, regardless of location or background, play their part in supporting each other. This World Mission Sunday, Pope Francis asks us to go and invite everyone to share in the banquet of God’s love.
Of all the Sunday’s of the Church’s year none reminds us more of our solidarity as God’s people than Mission Sunday. While our first understanding of Church may be our parochial experience, a day like Mission Sunday reminds us of our universal dimension and connection with Christians far away and in difficult and sometimes tragic circumstances. We are truly part of a greater picture. When Fr. Chisolm, the hero of The Keys of the Kingdom, is accused of having scant regard for the Holy Church, he replies; “On the contrary.. all my life I have rejoiced to feel her arms about me. The Church is our great mother, leading us forward… a band of pilgrims through the night. But perhaps there are other mothers. And perhaps even some poor solitary pilgrims who stumble home alone.”
On this Mission Sunday we can ensure that fewer people have to stumble home alone.
Fr. Brendan Quinlivan, Ceantar na Lochanna is Communications Officer for the Diocese of Killaloe
Clare Champion Article 18th of October 2024