Barry was in Bujumbura a year ago staying at the Catholic convent. In the courtyard he met Brother J., a 46 year-old monk who worked next door. As they began talking, Barry mentioned that it was hard for him to understand how a country that was nearly completely Catholic could suffer ethnic violence on such a large scale (think Burundi 1994). This question stuck with Brother J. and he came back to discuss it with Barry all during the week.
Visiting with J. was high on Doyle’s list for our last visit. We went to the Catholic headquarters where J. is the acting secretary for his order, reporting directly to the Vatican. We were welcomed with a huge smile along with an invitation to teach him from the Bible. The following evening, J. met me in the convent with his story, one of dedication to his order and church, but one that, in his words, had filled him with pride and had kept his people in ignorance. For 75 minutes he poured out his heart (he called it "his story") and asked that I teach him from the word the following day. He persisted in saying he wanted to be… simply a Christian.
The following day, he came to me with three realities written on a folded piece of paper which read: I am not baptized; I do not worship God in simplicity; I believe in the presence of Christ in the Eucharisty, but not in transubstantiaton.
We spoke of death, resurrection and reign. We spoke of promesses, forgiveness, faith and baptism. And J. asked us to pray for him.
