Dialogues on events
that shape our world
FROM THE PRESENTATION OF THE EVENT....
We believe that the reaffirmation of the positive value of reality,
and especially of the human person, is crucial to any attempt to
do educative and cultural work at this point in time.
Hence, it is fitting that tonight's event is about one remarkable
person, namely Fr. Joe Warrilow, and his fascinating
relationship with Mr. Tony Hendra, a relationship that became
the subject of Mr. Hendra's best selling memoir Fr. Joe: the man
who saved my soul. In a time of great confusion surrounding the
priesthood, Mr. Hendra's book has unexpectedly brought back
to the fore what could be called the "Catholic method." By this
we mean the method of being introduced to the relationship with
the divine Mystery through the encounter and relationship with
another, fascinating, human being. The figure of Fr. Joe reminds
us of the prophetic nature of Christian virginity as a new event
that makes eternity present in this world. It is at this level that the
temptation of clericalism is ultimately defeated. Mr. Hendra, a
noted humorist and screenwriter, has kindly accepted to read
for us tonight a a few chapters from his book and to tell us, “face
to face”, about his relationship with Fr. Joe.
We warmly thank Mr. Hendra and all of you. I think that tonight
we understood better that what matters in life, what really makes
a difference and makes us experience life as attractive and full
of promise, are often unexpected encounters and relationships
like Fr. Joe was for Mr. Hendra. It is striking how the simple
event of meeting this man affected Hendra's life in a way that
completely surpassed his ideas, his intentions, and even his
human weaknesses. We part with the wish that everyone of us
can have his or her Father Joe, someone who, as we heard,
lovingly introduces us to the positive value of reality, and
accompanies us with discrete paternity along the often bumpy
way of life without losing sight of the ultimate destination.
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