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Sunday, Sep. 02, 2007

Catholic program gets priests from overseas

HOPKINSVILLE -- Record hot temperatures in recent weeks haven't fazed the Rev. Shijo Vadakkumkara.

The 28-year-old priest said he's used to the humid and sultry weather with only the luxury of ceiling fans to keep him cool indoors.

Vadakkumkara, known as Father Shijo (pronounced she-jo), serves as an associate pastor at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. He arrived in Hopkinsville a little more than two months ago from his hometown, Kerala, India.

"In India it is also hot, but we get a lot of breeze," he said, noting that Kerala is near the Arabian Sea.

Vadakkumkara came to Hopkinsville as part of an international priest exchange program with the Diocese of Owensboro. Through the program, priests from other countries move to Western Kentucky to serve in designated parishes.

Vadakkumkara and the Rev. Jose Carmelo Salinas, who is from Mexico, serve at SS. Peter and Paul. Salinas also oversees the Latin ministries at two Todd County churches.

Additionally, the Rev. Chrispin Q.B. Oneko, of Kenya, served as an associate pastor at SS. Peter and Paul before shifting his ministry primarily to St. Michael the Archangel in Oak Grove. The Rev. Babu Kulathumkal, of India, serves at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Cadiz and another parish in Aurora. The Rev. Shaiju Thomas, of India, pastors churches in St. Paul parish in Princeton and another in Eddyville.

The Rev. Darrell Venters, vicar of clergy for the diocese, said it is not unusual to have priests from other countries to minister in the United States.

"It's just been within the last 40 to 50 years that we've had our own priests," Venters said, noting that for decades American parishes looked to Europe and other countries to fill the pulpits.

Diocese Bishop John J. McRaith said a decline in priests in the United States contributed to the need for priests from other countries.

Fewer people "are answering the call to become priests," McRaith said. "Not only in our diocese, but also other dioceses in the U.S. have welcomed these priests to help our churches. It turns out to be a great blessing to see the church in a universal light."

In the program, Venters said the diocese invites other countries to send priests to Western Kentucky. The diocese reviews recommendations from the priests' supervisors and checks their references before they are placed with a church.

Upon acceptance, the priests go through an orientation program that explains the diocese policies and procedures. Priests receive religious worker visas valid for up to five years. They also get Social Security cards and driver's licenses.

The international priests are then paired with other priests in the parishes, often the pastors, who serve as their mentors.

"After they go through the orientation, then they become pastoral associates before they get their own parish or become pastors," Venters said. "It's the same process as used for our own priests in the U.S."

The Rev. John M. Thomas, pastor at SS. Peter and Paul, has served as mentor to several international priests who have been assigned to the area.

"I make sure the priests are here for the right reasons," he said, noting that the opportunities America offers may cloud a priest's judgment. "They are supposed to be here to serve the needs of the people."