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| Daniel Berrigan SJ |
It was raining a downpour in
New York City on May 6th as we joined the procession at Dorothy Day’s
home, Mary House Catholic Worker on East 3rd St., to make our way
with a brass band and banners to St. Francis Xavier Church on West
16th St. Drenched but full of spirit we were waking up the city at
7:30 a.m. to celebrate the life of Fr. Daniel Berrigan. I was marching with Anne
Dowling, a friend from School of the Americas Watch, and my partner, Max
Obuszewski. Max was a friend of Dan’s and did resistance with him as well as
with his brother, Phil.
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| Left with green stole: Janice Sevre Duszynska with Ann Dowling holding banner |
At Washington Square, wide eyed
and smiling, we danced, marched and sang to show our gratitude for the life of
this courageous pacifist priest, a mentor and guide to so many during his nearly
95 years.
From across the country we
came, Catholic Workers, peace and justice activists and from other walks of
life, hugging each other. Many of us were elated to gather as friends who did
resistance together to bring about the Beloved Community. “Didn’t we get
arrested together?” we asked each other as we met.
Once inside the church Max and
I encountered hundreds and hundreds of people, many of whom were friends and
fellow resisters.
Once the memorial service
began, however, how disappointing to see only one female dressed in white among
the sea of male priests in white albs move up to the altar in this liberal
parish. Who was she? Francis has announced the Year of Mercy! When is gender
equality going to come in the Roman Catholic Church? When Dan Berrigan died,
those of us in the women priest movement re-read his 1977 piece on women and
women priests. He supported us.
My eyes water, my heart stirs
as I read Dan’s poem, “We Love,” at the beginning of the program: “What we love:
there are not blades enough.” I recall reading his book about Daniel in the
Lion’s Den while in federal prison and a few years ago Wisdom: The Feminine Face of God during our
trial for our witness at the nuclear weapons plant in Kansas City, MO.
As we gather for the Eucharist
we sing “We Are Called” by David Haas. Paging through this remarkable liturgy
put together by Frida Berrigan in less than five days, I come across songs we
sing at women priest ordinations, including my favorite, “The Servant Song.”
It is the Gospel of John: 32-45
that is proclaimed. After Mary professes her faith in Jesus, he calls the dead
Lazarus back to life.
I am delighted that rebel
priest, Jesuit Steve Kelly, is giving the homily. Before he begins, he wonders
if any FBI agents are present and suggests that it’s time to close their case on
Dan Berrigan. Laughter and clapping echo through the church! Steve has the
reputation of being in and out of jail. Buckle in and get ready to hear the
Spirit in Steve’s homily on live streaming!
During the prayers of petition
a woman addresses Dan’s support of women on the altar and the people in the pews
approve, clapping
uproariously!
For Communion everyone
processes through the center aisle. I had put on my stole this morning, green
quilted with scenes from the Gospels made by a Colombian women’s prison
cooperative. I wore it in Rome when I was detained by the Italian police during
the Conclave in 2013 for “dressing like a priest.” I had been ordained five
years!
When I reached the front in the
Communion line, it occurred to me that I might be denied Eucharist because I was
excommunicated for following my conscience and being ordained. However, the eyes
of the priest, John Cecero, smiled and welcomed me. What a blessing to be
here!
During the celebration the
Berrigan family shared their memories of Dan and we listened
intently.
We were sent forth with
Beethoven’s “Hymn to Joy” filling this glorious place abounding in the goodness
of Dan Berrigan’s life and the love of those who knew him. What an unforgettable
celebration of such a life-giving man! Although I never met Daniel Berrigan, he
touched me through his writings and his actions.
I have much to share about the
celebration of Daniel Berrigan’s life with our women priest community and women
priest friends and supporters, former Maryknoll priest Roy Bourgeois, founder of
the SOA Watch, and Franciscan priest and peace activist, Jerry Zawada, who has
been punished by his order for his support of women
priests.
Dan Berrigan, priest, poet,
prophet, presente! And, thank you…
1 comment:
I did have the blessing of meeting Dan and Phil in Cleveland ohio many years ago. Together with Alicia Miller we sponsored a fundraiser to help pay legal costs. I am grateful for their example and plan to include them in my prayers .
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