Sense of priorities
Catholic Hierarchy Backs Bishop’s Hunger Strike
Luke 12.
29 And seek not you what you shall eat, or what you shall drink: and be not lifted up on high.
30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek. But your Father knoweth that you have need of these things.
31 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his justice, and all these things shall be added unto you.
32 Fear not, little flock, for it hath pleased your Father to give you a kingdom.
If the Bishop dies, Pax Christi and such fellow-travellers will doubtless proclaim him a martyr. But to obtain this title, one has to die professing Christ the King.
The Bishop should study the life of the Gypsy Saint.
Ceferino Gimenez Malla, known as "El Pele" was born a Gypsy in Fraga, Huesca, Spain, probably on 26 August 1861, and a Gypsy he remained. He chose Teresa Gimenez Castro a Gypsy from Lerida as his wife and settled with her in Barbastro. In 1912 he regularized this Gypsy-style union and became a model Christian. He had no children but adopted one of his wife's nieces, whose descendants are still living. He was a flourishing horse dealer with a respectable position in society and ever ready to give generously to the poor. Unjustly accused of theft and imprisoned, he was finally declared innocent: the lawyer for his defence announced: "El Pele is not a thief, he is San Ceferino, patron of Gypsies". In his dealings, he never cheated anyone.
Held in great esteem, El Pele was frequently sought by Gypsies to help them solve the conflicts which sometimes flared up between them. His reputation for charity and piety was widespread and although he was illiterate, educated people esteemed him for his honesty and his wisdom. He was a member of several religious groups. At the start of the Spanish Civil war, at the end of July 1938, he was arrested for trying to defend a priest who was being dragged through the streets of Barbastro, and for keeping a rosary in his pocket. He was offered freedom if he would stop reciting the Rosary. He preferred to stay in prison and face martyrdom. He was shot at dawn on 8 August 1936, against the walls of Barbastro cemetery. He died clutching his Rosary and crying: "Long live Christ the King!".
And thereby did El Pele become San Ceferino, Patron of Gypsies.
Luke 12.
29 And seek not you what you shall eat, or what you shall drink: and be not lifted up on high.
30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek. But your Father knoweth that you have need of these things.
31 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his justice, and all these things shall be added unto you.
32 Fear not, little flock, for it hath pleased your Father to give you a kingdom.
If the Bishop dies, Pax Christi and such fellow-travellers will doubtless proclaim him a martyr. But to obtain this title, one has to die professing Christ the King.
The Bishop should study the life of the Gypsy Saint.
Ceferino Gimenez Malla, known as "El Pele" was born a Gypsy in Fraga, Huesca, Spain, probably on 26 August 1861, and a Gypsy he remained. He chose Teresa Gimenez Castro a Gypsy from Lerida as his wife and settled with her in Barbastro. In 1912 he regularized this Gypsy-style union and became a model Christian. He had no children but adopted one of his wife's nieces, whose descendants are still living. He was a flourishing horse dealer with a respectable position in society and ever ready to give generously to the poor. Unjustly accused of theft and imprisoned, he was finally declared innocent: the lawyer for his defence announced: "El Pele is not a thief, he is San Ceferino, patron of Gypsies". In his dealings, he never cheated anyone.
Held in great esteem, El Pele was frequently sought by Gypsies to help them solve the conflicts which sometimes flared up between them. His reputation for charity and piety was widespread and although he was illiterate, educated people esteemed him for his honesty and his wisdom. He was a member of several religious groups. At the start of the Spanish Civil war, at the end of July 1938, he was arrested for trying to defend a priest who was being dragged through the streets of Barbastro, and for keeping a rosary in his pocket. He was offered freedom if he would stop reciting the Rosary. He preferred to stay in prison and face martyrdom. He was shot at dawn on 8 August 1936, against the walls of Barbastro cemetery. He died clutching his Rosary and crying: "Long live Christ the King!".
And thereby did El Pele become San Ceferino, Patron of Gypsies.
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