Joseph Wallroth, O. Carm., has always been a unique minister. As pastor of St. John’s Parish in Leonia, New Jersey (USA) he also served as one of the town’s firefighters. Before joining the military as a chaplain, he learned to fly.

He currently serves as the Wing Chaplain at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland (USA). One of Chaplain Wallroth’s numerous responsibilities is the spiritual care of the men and women of the Presidential Airlift Group, those who pilot and maintain the aircrafts used by the President of the United States and his staff. As a Colonel in the United States Air Force stationed at Andrews AFB, Fr. Joe has greeted the US President, the US Vice President and various civilian members of the cabinet and military officials arriving and departing from the  airbase as part of his ministry.

At Andrews, he is responsible to the commanding general for all religious programs and issues on the military base. There are four chapels and a staff of 24, including eight other chaplains, nine enlisted people while the rest are civilians.

Being the only Catholic priest on the base means he has built up a team of lay Catholics as Ministers of the Eucharist to the base medical center. "The staff and the team of lay minister are great. The whole job has been wonderful and enabled me to do many different things."

Large Number Participate in International On-Going Formation Course
Next Year’s Course Set

Twenty-seven Carmelites from the various parts of the Carmelite Family participated in the on-going formation course "Living Sources: The Early Carmelite Spiritual Writings." The course was held at the Domus Carmelitana from January 30 – February 12, 2005. Each region of the Order was represented except Africa.

The course was organized by the On-going Formation Subcommittee of the International Formation Commission. It used the methodology of lectio divina throughout.

Among the writings studied were the Rubrica prima, Ignea Sagitta, De Institutione Primorum Monachorum and the Carmelite figures John Baconthorpe, Michele Aiguani, and John Soreth. Presenters included Emanuele Boaga (Ita), Paul Chandler (Aus), Carlo Cicconetti (Vice General), Kevin Alban (Brit), and Giovanni Grosso (Ita).

Among those attending were 17 priests and brothers, 8 nuns from five monasteries in Italy, one sister from the Irmãs Carmelitas da Divina Providência Congregation, and a Third Order member.

Based on the evaluations turned in at the end of the course, the participants found it a very positive two week experience.

This course will be held in Rome January 23 – February 5, 2006.

Attacks on Carmelites Show Danger of Ministry

Felix Pallipatt, O. Carm., a Carmelite priest from the Indian Commissariat working in Kenya, was shot in the leg during a bus hijacking in the Westlands, a section of Nairobi, Kenya. According to an eyewitness report by a Rosminian priest who is a professor at Tangaza College in Nairobi, five armed passengers pulled out guns. While one of these men drove the bus, the other four robbed the passengers.

Fr. Felix handed over his wallet but when the robbers went through his luggage, they discovered more money and a cellular phone charger. They then demanded his phone which he gave them. One of the criminals held a gun to Fr. Felix’s head. An elderly lady intervened, pulling the gun away from the priest’s head and telling the criminals not to be so stupid. The armed robber then shot Felix just behind the knee.

The Indian Commissary, John Adapoor said "I have always had a soft spot for old ladies with pluck. This just confirms it."

The bullet exited the leg and the report says that Felix did not know he had been shot until a short time later.

There have been other assaults against clergy. A secular priest, Fr. John Hannon was beaten to death by thugs in his home in November 2004 in Matasia, Kenya. An 85 year old Dominican in Kisumu, Kenya died from injuries received from an assault during a burglary. According to Fr. John, there are about 60-100 hijackings a week in Nairobi.

"Fr. Felix is fine. He knows the risks of living there and he is in good spirits," said Fr. Adapoor.

Philippine Carmelite Beaten by Police

Benedicto Zaragosa, a Carmelite brother in the Philippine General Commissariat was beaten by police and received a head injury while entering the grounds of Our Lady of Remedies Church in Manila during a protest on April 7, 2005.

Hundreds of protesters carrying signs saying "Defend Civil Liberties" and "Stop Killing Journalists" marched towards the Philippines International Conference Center in Manila where the

Conference of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) was in progress. The rally was called to protest the rash of killings of activists and journalists in the country.

When the protestors reached the church grounds, baton wielding police tried to force them out. A Franciscan priest who heads the group "Promotion for Church People’s Response" was also badly beaten. The group has been accused of being a communist front by the military.

Eleven others were also hurt during the clash.

A statement from the Carmelite Commission for Justice and Peace and the Integrity of Creation of the Philippine General Commissariat protested the overreaction of the police against a peaceful rally. The statement points out that the demonstration was against political repression and violence against member of the clergy, journalists, and other activist groups. The statement also protests the spreading of suspicion and fear about "ghost" enemies of the State.

Wayne Stanhope, O. Carm.
Carmelite Provincial