An All-Encompassing Tragedy...

There are times in life when words just don't do justice to conveying the depth of feelings that arise when something so despicable, so inexplicable, just so tragic happens in our midst. Well that is the feeling I share in some way today, I suggest, with many other past friends and associates from both the St Albans Uniting Church Filipino youth group and the Vietnamese Evangelical Church Melbourne youth. Why? Because today Michael Hermogenes was sentenced to 21 years jail, with a 16 year minimum term for his attack upon a then 14 year-old fellow member of the BASIC (St Albans Uniting Church Filipino) youth group. I care not to re-visit the details of the crime Michael committed but if you need to they can be found via this link http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/29/3256500.htm

First let me say this - I met Michael Hermogenes on probably two occasions in my past vocation as a pastor in VECA Melbourne. The Vietnamese church youth there have a close association with the Filipino BASIC youth due to the personal relationship of two of their respective leaders. And when I say met him I mean just that - just an introductory moment plus a little bit of small-talk. I would not say that I knew Michael in any way more than that and as such, I clarify my opinions to reflect this level of contact. Therefore when I first learned of the horrific incident that occurred and understood the extent of violence that Michael perpetrated I was shocked and deeply concerned for the effect his actions would have particularly on both youth groups. In no way would I dare suggest that my proximity and relationship to the devastation of what happened would even go close to comparing with the trauma that many others much, much closer to those affected have endured.

So I guess I formulate these thoughts and emotions now from an even greater vantage point having left the fold of VECA. So with some distance now present, I make these observations with regard to the sentencing handed down today. If I didn't ever know Michael Hermogenes, the church and youth group he belonged to then I would most certainly say that I feel the custodial sentence he received today is, as they say in sentencing jargon, 'manifestly inadequate'. That I did know him and the youth group he belonged to actually doesn't change my opinion that much. In some ways I wish it did and I have that 'pesky' reminder of grace and mercy tapping away at my heart even now as I write this. But really, what that individual did to another young human being was truly evil. He must pay a price and endure a consequence that is proportionate to the violent injustice he committed - I'm not sure the sentence today reflects the weight of suffering he's left behind. Not just the suffering in the act itself but the on-going pain and 'sentence' of his victim. I completely understand and have to concur with the outpouring of comment from the community also feeling that a 16 year minimum sentence is grossly unjust.

And I also add this - a response to the media portrayal of this case thus far. Personally I find it completely pathetic and distasteful that this kind of reporting has accompanied this tragic crime..."church leader rapist jailed...", "self-confessed sex demon jailed...", "Melbourne youth church leader jailed..." I say it is regrettable, not because it emphasises that Michael had an involvement in church because that part is true, he was involved in the youth group and church. But because I believe it is an unnecessary over-sensationalising of one aspect of his life that ideally shouldn't add any extraordinary dimension to what he did. However I do concede that, as reported in court, Michael did reportedly confess his belief to a psychologist that he was a "sex demon" and added that "I was in a possessed and drunken state" when committing his crime. The veracity of that statement no-one will ever be able to validate and justifiably it cannot be seen as any excuse or alibi for what Michael did. Nevertheless, how cheap our media outlets have become that they choose to label this man as "the church youth leader rapist". Another shameless attempt at a convenient jab to the vulnerable ribs of church I believe. Because surreptitiously they are trying to highlight the apparent hypocrisy of how a church youth leader could perpetrate such an act which leads people, more often than not, questioning not only the person per se but the institution of church as well. Michael Hermogenes has rightfully taken his stand in the box of the accused - the church wasn't on trial with him. It's about time the collective media revised their boring and exceedingly monotonous agenda of trying to prosecute the church for the wrong-doings of it's attendees. It's a simplistic and nonsensical argument when you follow it through to it's core.

As the title suggests, this whole episode is an all-encompassing tragedy. And as I said at the beginning, even that description seems trite and doesn't convey the full blackness of how many people are feeling today. My prayers continue for all involved, especially the victim; may God bless her and continue to heal her. But prayers also for families affected, including Michael's and importantly for Michael himself.

An Occasion to Remember...

Last night this white man joined members of the Australian Vietnamese Catholic community and other Catholics along with hosts of other community representatives in celebrating the episcopal ordination of Bishop Vincent Long into his new role as auxiliary bishop for Melbourne. And if you read my previous blog you would understand that this was certainly an auspicious occasion for the Catholic Church and particularly, for the Vietnamese community in Australia as Bishop Vincent is the first Vietnamese-born man to receive this high posting in Australia. And the thousand or so Vietnamese Catholics present last night at St Patricks Cathedral certainly supported their new Bishop with an expected and well deserved sense of pride and achievement. Because, as Father Vincent himself pointed out last night during his address to the massed congregation, his elevation to the position of bishop is a true point of thanksgiving for all Vietnamese refugees who risked their all for a better future in Australia. A reason for thankfulness because it demonstrates to the Vietnamese community that their acceptance into the broader Australian community is tangibly real and that this country of freedom provides anyone, who decides to call Australia home, an equal opportunity to make one's imprint on our society. No wonder the throngs of Vietnamese who filed out of St Patricks last night appeared to walk a little taller!

And so, also in reference to my previous blog, last night I was keenly scanning the masses for a sighting of a Vietnamese Protestant representative. A young VECA pastor, a friend for many years did make contact with me and was going to attend but had to decline at the last moment. To his credit, had his circumstances not prevented him I'm sure he would have joined me in celebrating Father Vincent's ordination. So was there another Vietnamese Protestant pastor present? I very much doubt it - I certainly didn't see anyone familiar. Should I have been surprised? No..."Don't be too harsh white man, for they were probably watching the streamed on-line coverage of the ceremony..." Mmm.....

It is rather pertinent at present that the Protestant arm of the Vietnamese church are currently celebrating, by their definition, '100 years of Christianity in Vietnam'. Or as a personal invitation I received to attend festivities for this event stated "come celebrate 100 years of the Gospel in Vietnam". This refers to the 100 year anniversary of Protestant Christians arriving in Danang, Vietnam back in 1911 and the subsequent establishment of the Protestant Church in Vietnam. As such, Vietnamese Protestant churches all over the world have every right to celebrate this important event and every Vietnamese Christian, whether Protestant or Catholic should be emphatically praising God for this milestone. But I ask all Vietnamese Protestants this question - have you ever heard of Alexandre de Rhodes? He was the Jesuit missionary who arrived in Vietnam in the 1600's, along with other Jesuits to firmly establish the Church in Vietnam. And along with that, de Rhodes also formulated the Latin-style Vietnamese written language (chu quoc ngu) still in use today as the official written language of Vietnam. This did away with the previous Vietnamese script (chu nom) that was based on Chinese characters. Along with this he also started the task of translating the Bible into Vietnamese.

Anyway, enough of the history lesson for my point is this - the Word of God was present in Vietnam, in written Vietnamese language a long time before 1911. And the Church was in Vietnam a long time before 1911. So perhaps I just make this suggestion to my Vietnamese Protestant brothers and sisters in the midst of their 100 year celebration - yes, celebrate with all your joy and thanksgiving for the fact that the Protestant Church commenced it's work in Vietnam one century ago. But please don't embarrass yourselves by advertising the 'fact' that your festivity celebrates 100 years of Christianity in Vietnam. Or that you celebrate the Gospel being present in Vietnam for 100 years - it's patently obvious that the Good News of Jesus Christ has been proclaimed in Vietnam much longer than that. That it has been there longer because of the presence of the Catholic Church in Vietnam should not be just brushed off and history revised accordingly. I'd like to believe that the wording of your celebration is a 'lost in translation' error but my experience tells me otherwise.

I finish with this and it is the last thing I will write on this matter (thank God you may well be saying right now and I most probably concur with you!). I am not a closet Catholic nor am I an apologist for the Catholic Church. I have my own questions and differences in the way the Catholic Church operates in belief and practice. And I have very little axe left to grind with the Protestant Vietnamese Church (getting down to the barest sliver of wood in my hand actually!). But what gets me righteously angry are churches that blindly carry on with their own agendas, functioning as the centre of their own universes, giving no credence to the presence and value of their fellow churches and their mission efforts. It's always been a pet-hate of mine and it just so happened that at this particular point of time, for the Vietnamese Church, both Catholic and Protestant, the stars have aligned in a most telling manner. So all that being said, I celebrate and pray for Father Vincent Long and move on with an open-mind doing my load of work alongside fellow Christians from many different 'houses'.

From Boat Person to Bishop...

The name Nguyen Van Long would mean little to most Australians. Ask the typical bloke on the street who that person is and why they are notable and they're likely to tell you that he's the young Vietnamese drug smuggler who got hanged in Singapore and few years ago! Well actually Nguyen Van Long, otherwise known as Father Vincent is the newly appointed Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese of Melbourne. In other words, this Vietnamese Catholic priest now holds the second-highest position in the Catholic church in the state of Victoria. An admirable appointment for a well-respected man of God who has come a long way since his arrival to Australia in 1980 as a refugee fleeing Viet Nam. And after serving the Church in various roles, even most recently in Rome, he will take up his new role shortly. Again, the appointment of Father Vincent to this high position in the Australian Catholic Church is a wonderful recognition of this man's influence in Australian society and also a source of pride and achievement for the Vietnamese community in Australia. He is certainly a great ambassador for the Vietnamese community and a most worthy representative of our great God.

What this white man really wants to also highlight are two things...First, I hope that this sagacious decision to appoint Father Vincent to his new position is not lost upon those politicians in high places who maintain their vigilant, yet I would contend fundamentally immoral stance that continually implores that Australia needs to "turn back the boats!" Because let's face the fact - if the fall of Saigon and the Communist take-over of Viet Nam happened in 2011 then the likes of Nguyen Van Long and other such real people would have to contend with more than just a leaky boat and South China Sea pirates to make it to the 'lucky country' we call Australia! They would have to overcome rancid Australian political agendas that waft of the disgraceful 'white Australia' policies of the last century. And they would also have to contend with an Australian population who, as recent opinion polls show, are growing more and more resistant to the welcoming of refugees and asylum seekers. It seems to me that the "turn back the boats" message is darkening the Australian psyche at present and, in my opinion, this is Australia's bare-naked shame. A blight on our nation as a developed country that prides itself on it's generosity and humanitarian heart - it's just a pity that our nation's conscience isn't so developed at this time. And so the sooner this shameful mantra of "turn back the boats" becomes a forgotten epitaph the better! Father Vincent Long Van Nguyen, a humble man of the cloth, demonstrates again the immeasurable worth that one refugee seeking a better life in Australia can add to the fabric of our community. May his elevation to his position in the Catholic church serve as a constant reminder of that worth and how we, as a nation are dreadfully culpable if we continue to deny the opportunities of the next generation of Nguyen Van Long's to make their mark on our society.

And finally my second observation, a more personal "sting in the tail" if you will... On Thursday 23 June 2011 an official Episcopal Ordination ceremony will be held for Father Vincent Long Van Nguyen in Melbourne. I am sure that this appointment will be celebrated and attended by many Vietnamese Catholics here in Melbourne and they will appropriately acknowledge with pride the significance of what this appointment means, both in real terms and symbolically for the Vietnamese community. And I am equally sure that the ordination ceremony will also see the heads of the prominant Vietnamese Buddhist communities of Victoria show their appreciation and acknowledgment, in the spirit of inter-faith dialogue and goodwill, for the appointment of Father Vincent. Moreover, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see the crimson and saffron robes of Vietnamese Buddhist temple representation present at that cathedral on 23 June. But I ask, no, I state this...will you see a representation of leadership from the various streams of Vietnamese Protestant churches based in Melbourne support the appointment of their brother in Christ Father Vincent to his position of Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiosese of Melbourne? Categorically, NO YOU WON'T! I can confidently state with good authority that pig's trotters would be seen in the clouds before you would see one pastor from VECA (Vietnamese Evangelical Church in Australia) attend that ordination ceremony in support of Father Vincent Long Van Nguyen. Believe me...I know.

In the church I once served that I know very well, inter-faith dialogue was non-existent and inter-church ecumenism nearly as rare. And as for the prevailing attitudes of Vietnamese Protestant Christians towards their Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ? Well generally speaking, those Catholics may as well be non-believing contagions as far as Vietnamese Evangelical Christians are concerned. Ask one of my friends, who, being from a Catholic background and having been baptised in the Catholic Church was "strongly discouraged" (denied the right) to partake of Holy Communion in the evangelical church. That of course could have been remedied if he chose to submit to a 'better baptism' in the Vietnamese Evangelical Church! Would the Vietnamese Protestant community feel proud of Father Vincent and his promotion within the Catholic Church? I doubt they even know about it and even if they did, I doubt they would even care. But then again, what does an insular-looking edifice really care about what happens outside of it's front gate? Even amongst their own community?!

So i repeat again, they (pastoral representation from the Vietnamese Evangelical Church in Australia) won't be there but this ex-Vietnamese church pastor will! And I challenge any fellow Vietnamese muc su (pastor) to prove me wrong. If this opinion piece infiltrates the Vietnamese Evangelical Church or any other Vietnamese Protestant denomination in regard to this matter then I will see you on Thursday 23 June so we can both offer our support and goodwill to our fellow brother in Christ Father Vincent Long Van Nguyen! I'll be saving a seat for you!

God bless you Father Vincent and may He continue to strengthen and uphold you in these exciting days as you continue to serve Him obediently.

Travelling East and West...

It was the Vietnamese-born memoirist and humanitarian Le Ly Hayslip, whose life was depicted in the Oliver Stone movie Heaven & Earth who once said, of her own existence, that she was caught between east and west. Caught between cultures, between religions and between the countries of the US and Viet Nam. This white man is also caught between east and west and, whilst admittedly not to the dramatic extent that Le Ly felt ensnared, still can relate to her feeling of constantly crossing over polaric divides. Not that I am bouncing between differing spheres of religion and the hybrid of eastern and western cultures in my house with Phuong has synthesised well over the 14 years of our marriage. At present my dominant east and west journey is literal...and geographical. Located in the north-west of Melbourne, I have become a frequent driver, traversing the city of Melbourne five days-a-week, crossing over to the suburb of my childhood and youth, the leafy eastern suburb of Camberwell. So in this way my life is again crossing divides...east to west...and back again.

This year I think I've crossed one bridge or another more times than ever before in my memory. The once spectacularly-noted cityscape view of Melbourne from the apex of the Bolte Bridge isn't so spectacular anymore. The once-felt thrill of entering the 3.5 km long Burnley Tunnel, burrowing under the Yarra River grows less every day. Yet on a positive note the early morning and afternoon drives to and from work have re-acquainted me with the world of talk-back radio which has been a cathartic distraction from the monotony of tollway traffic. Time spent behind the wheel also provides a convenient place to think, reflect and pray about life, something one can never really do too much of. So I have to say that overall my east to west journey has it's benefits and for me it is a 'glass half full' reality. Even amongst the pressing and intimidating presence of impatient truckers powering their monstrous toys and the other Formula One wannabees who can't sit still in one lane for more than five seconds, my car is my sanctuary. A place of peace, a therapeutic haven and a locale of learning as I engage not only gears but in life itself.

So the next time you bemoan the fact that a long drive awaits you stop and think about the time you can spent productively in that small place of worship that is your car. For me, west and east is my current reality but honestly I wouldn't want to have it any other way!

The Great Lama!

With some interest this white man has followed the arrival of the Dalai Lama on his latest visit to Australia. As usual, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism has been afforded the 'rock star' treatment seemingly customary for a leader befitting his status. As a global icon of peace, love and all-things harmonious, the Dalai Lama is never without a willing throng of devotees and 'spiritual groupies' seeking a word of wisdom or perhaps just to hear an example of the slight high-pitched cackle of laughter that sounds a little unseemly coming from such an 'enlightened being'. And they are just the journalists, slavishly trailing the robed guru proclaiming the message of the man it seems no-one has a bad word to say about...well no-one not affliliated with the government of that rather large Asian country that stands between the Lama and his homeland anyway!

What strikes me about the inevitable hoopla when the Dalai Lama visits really has nothing much to do with him. To be honest, I have nothing against the man at all - I think he is a fine ambassador for his brand of religion and the values he espouses are generally positive and life-affirming. And I'm certainly not in the business of bashing other religious figures simply for the sake of some "my God's better than your god" argument. I have friends who profess their belief in Buddhism and this is their right - a right I respect and affirm. But let me say this - I always find it bemusing that such a cult of celebrity falls not only upon the Dalai Lama but on his religion as well. It seems that as soon as the Lama hits town Tibetan Buddhism is suddenly elevated to being the legitimate cure for everything from Western decadence, empty materialistic living, childhood obesity to male pattern baldness and so on...But be warned - the cure from the Bodhi tree doesn't come cheap. $5000.00 for a premium ticket to enlightenment sees the Lama's wisdom come at a price.

In these days where the legal right of Christianity to be taught in Australian schools is being challenged, my great heartache inside lies in the fact that it seems that another Great High Lama (by the way "lama" is a Tibetan word for high priest) receives none of the pop-star attention the Dalai Lama and his inspiration, Gautama Buddha get. Not that Jesus the Lama would have been seeking all the stuff that goes along with a Dalai Lama visit. Let me put it this way - Australian's would do well to reflect and remember that one Jesus of Nazareth lived an exemplary life that both spiritually taught and practically demonstrated all the intrinsic values that the Dalai Lama emphasises. No it's not a competition in any way, but how I grieve that somewhere along the way it seems that churches have excelled in portraying the author of our faith as nothing more than a boring option for old people who don't have a life anymore. But I guess it's far more trendy these days to jump on the Buddhist bandwagon as opposed to the foundational essence of what a God-man called Christ lived and breathed. Maybe the challenge of journeying one's life along a Christ-modelled pathway of unconditional and radical servantude will never be as appealing as vacating your mind in a lotus position whilst contemplating the cosmic meaning of 'nothingness'...

Well Jesus Christ is my Great High Lama and in Him I find my meaning. And He doesn't need my $5000 because He has already paid a far higher price for me!

Journeying in Yellow, Red & Blue!

It is now three months since this white man took leave of his past vocation as a pastor in the Vietnamese Church. It would be misleading to suggest that I have left that part of my life completely behind for I am still dealing with the residues that place has left on me. Nevertheless I am proud of all my scars and I bear them gladly as a testimony to God's greatness and my smallness.

Since then I have been refreshed, revitalised and renewed by God through serving Him in my new vocation as Children & Family's pastor at The Salvation Army Camberwell. Back amongst my spiritual family in the church of my ancestors - a church, a movement that I am joyfully discovering has shaped and defined who I am in so many ways over my lifetime, even though I wasn't even conscious of it's far-reach into my inner-self. So not only have I been acquainting myself with my new position ministry-wise but I have also been journeying on a path of exploration into my Army roots.

Last Sunday I did my part in door-knocking for the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal, the first time I have participated in this annual event for perhaps 15 years or so. As I said to the area leader who requested my services to assist him in his team, "it's pretty hard to say no to doing the door-knock when you've avoided it for over a decade!" So off I went with plastic bag in hand and my dad's Salvo jacket on to proudly proclaim the presence of the Red Shield and what that means in our community. I must admit that I did muse to myself along the way that there would be no way I could have collected the donations I did in that two hours of volunteering if I was representing my last place of employment! So again it struck me just how respected a movement the Salvation Army is...and here I am, so proudly and strongly affiliated to it. I'm not sure I ever felt that sense of pride in my home church as I grew up in it and I certainly don't ever remember actually taking a sense of pleasure in Red Shield door-knocking before! So being back in the Salvos must be doing me some good inside I think...I know...

The actual role that I am fulfilling at Camberwell is also progressing well. In some ways, as I have reflected with a few members of the senior leadership there, my role is a bit of a fusion of the two main ministry areas that has generally kept me busy over the past 18 years of my life work-wise. Because my role is a little bi-polar in nature; on one hand I am primarily responsible for the children's ministries which draws upon my church-based experience. On the other hand I am also serving to meet the needs of the community in Ashburton, particularly in the government-housing community demographic there. So this area draws on all my years of doing outreach to the disadvantaged in the welfare sector. What does all of that mean for me right now? I guess it tells me that at this point of time I'm positioned in the right place to be of best use to God. With all of the experience and skill-base I've accumulated in those areas of church and community outreach then I reckon that God has me right where He wants me doing what He wants me to be doing! So for today that's good enough for me...Where the journey goes tomorrow? Well wherever that leads I'll walk that path then...

But for now I just thank God for the provision and care that He graciously gives me and my family. It has been such a great blessing to literally return 'home' to the place I grew up in at Camberwell. My yellow, red and blue journey is my deep joy and I know the journey-Maker has only more good by-ways to discover!