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The missionary, the martyr, the splinter
archived from: 2013-03-15
by: FATHER FRANK D. ALMADE

Three priests from around the world died the weekend of Feb. 16-17, all with a connection to Pittsburgh, all whom I knew. They witness to both the human and divine dimensions of the Catholic Church.

Msgr. Jules Roos died in Chimbote, Peru, at the age of 82. Ordained by Bishop John Dearden in 1956, he went to Peru as a missionary in 1964. It was his last, and best, assignment. As was detailed in the lengthy obituary in the Pittsburgh Catholic, Jules and another priest founded the maternity hospital in Chimbote in 1966, which still serves families today, along with the companion Social Works Center.

Jules was indefatigable. He lived a very simple life, begged Pittsburghers and others to support the hospital and devoted himself to the poor of Chimbote.

I was privileged to visit Jules twice, in 1983 and 1991, in Chimbote, courtesy of Msgr. John Kozar’s famous mission trips. I treasure the memories of those trips. I saw the simple Quonset hut that was the hospital, the clean laboratory and facilities, the smiling faces of moms, babies and nurses. From those experiences I know that all the kind words spoken about Msgr. Roos are true, true, true.

A few years ago Bishop (now Cardinal) Donald Wuerl surprised Jules at the annual Chimbote Dinner by announcing that the Vatican had honored him with the title of “monsignor.” Jules squirmed in the spotlight, but accepted it. A couple of days later, I bumped into Jules in the diocesan building. I greeted him warmly and said, “Monsignor, it’s great to see you.” Without missing a beat, Jules said, “Frank, let’s not let a title come between our friendship.”

Jules, may you enjoy the reward of your missionary labors with all the saints in heaven.

Father Evaristus Mushi was murdered Feb. 17 in Zanzibar, Tanzania, East Africa. He was 56. His bishop reported that two men on motorcycles followed Father Mushi, blocked his way, shot and killed him near his parish church.

A group, Muslim Renewal, which claimed responsibility for Father Mushi’s shooting, also killed a Protestant pastor and wounded another Catholic priest in the past two months.

Father Mushi lived in Pittsburgh for three years, 1999-2001, while he earned a master’s degree in education at Duquesne University. He resided at Incarnation of the Lord Parish, Pittsburgh’s North Side, and St. Pius X Parish, the city’s Brookline neighborhood. Later, he served in two parishes in the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Fla., before returning home.

Deacon Jack Miller, a parishioner at Incarnation who serves St. Teresa of Avila Parish in Perrysville, said in an interview with the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, “Father Mushi and I discussed the possibility that being a Catholic priest would make him a target in Zanzibar. Here we have our squabbles, but when you think about the possibility of being killed for your faith, it puts things into perspective. I think, even then, he knew that could happen.”

I have a vague recollection of having met Father Mushi at one of Father Jim Garvey’s famous “goat dinners.” When Father Garvey served as pastor of Epiphany Parish, Pittsburgh’s Uptown neighborhood, he would invite all the African priests and sisters studying or serving in the area for a taste of home cooking. My impression of Father Mushi was of a gentle and soft-spoken man.

In a posting on his blog, Bishop Robert Lynch of St. Petersburg, wrote, “We remember Father Evaristus as an extremely kind, generous and genuinely holy priest who helped us out here for three years before returning to his country of Tanzania. He may well be a martyr for the faith. But for now his parishioners, family and friends mourn this senseless act of violence and pray for the peaceful repose of his soul.”

Evaristus, may the angels lead you into paradise, and may the martyrs welcome you home.

C. William Hausen was ordained in 1965 by Bishop John Wright. He served in several parishes, and for 12 years was pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Pittsburgh’s Mount Oliver neighborhood. I followed him in that neighborhood, years after he was transferred and years after the parish was merged (with three others) into St. John Vianney Parish. Even though Bill had been out of the area for a decade, there were many parishioners who spoke about his kindnesses and visits to the hospital and shut-ins.

In 2002, Bill gave an inflammatory sermon at St. James Parish in Sewickley and two years later left the Catholic Church to start his own church. He got a little bounce of publicity for his public criticisms of the church, but his fledgling effort soon dwindled. When I checked his church’s website recently, there was no mention of his death, only an announcement about services for Christmas.

Bill battled alcoholism much of his life and resisted the multiple efforts of the diocese for reconciliation. Bill, may you find the peace you so longed for and could not find here on earth.

Father Almade is pastor of Mary, Mother of Hope, St. Joseph the Worker, St. Vincent de Paul and St. Vitus parishes in New Castle.

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