At the end of May, we had another opportunity for a unique experience in Bangladesh. How many people have met a gun-toting, motorcycle-riding, 78-year-old, Michigan-born Catholic Priest who has lived in the jungles of Bangladesh among tribal peoples (who were headhunters, literally, in the not-so-distant past) for 50 years? Yes, he exists and his name is Rev. Eugene E. Homrich, C.S.C. supported by the Holy Cross Mission Center in Notre Dame and running St. Paul’s mission in Pirgacha, Bangladesh. Our good friend, Paul, had heard tales of the legendary “tiger-slaying” priest and was eager to arrange a visit for a small group of us. We had a fabulous time hearing his stories, including the one about finding an abandoned baby in the forest many years ago. Father Homrich and his mission took her in and now she is a happy mother of her own. We also enjoyed exploring the quiet countryside of this beautiful area, where pineapples and jackfruit grow and monkeys play. Not much of that in Dhaka!
One of our long walks through the forest got us talking about the likelihood of us “development workers” finding abandoned babies in our path while we’re sitting at our computers, in our air-conditioned offices, typing e-mails to colleagues and bosses and writing reports about the state of development in Bangladesh. We sometimes struggle to reconcile this to ourselves. Yes, we live in (arguably) the poorest country on the planet and we think we’re here for good causes, but does what we do every day really impact the ultra-poor here? We shoo away dozens of beggars daily on our way to the office – where we work on projects that we hope will benefit millions ... but would we be better off taking those beggars home with us? Well, this is a question for much longer debate, but may it suffice to say that our time with Father Homrich left us reflective, inspired and downright awed by the man and his work.
2 comments:
Hi Jennifer & Patrick! I enjoyed reading this post about your visit with the Tiger Slaying Priest. Yes, I believe that would have made me think too. I can not imagine doing either what you all are doing or what Rev. Homrich does. Both are needed and both will help even if in different ways. You all are in my prayers.
Carmi
Hi!
My wife was rescued by Fr Homrich during the independence war. She was found in a field after violence wrecked her village and he took her in and saved her. She was then adopted into Canada and is a mother. I'm curious if the story he told you was hers? Did he give you any other details?
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