A Patron Saint for Human Rights
CANONIZATION OF FATHER DAMIEN
Excerpts from "Fr Damien ... A Bit of Taro, A Piece of Fish, and A Glass of Water."

Events Programme

Fr Damien

Leprosy

Resolution Documents

General

Father Damien:  “A Bit of Taro, A Piece of Fish, and A Glass of Water”
by Anwei Skinsnes Law and Henry G. Law
Published by the IDEA Center for the Voices of Humanity
(The book can be ordered online)

The story of Father Damien has been told and retold hundreds of times in books and articles.  However, these accounts have generally not included the voices and insights of the people who were most affected by Father Damien’s presence, the people who had leprosy themselves and lived and worked alongside him on the remote Kalaupapa peninsula in Hawaii.  By looking at the 16 years of his life spent at Kalaupapa through the eyes of those who knew him as their spiritual leader and their friend, this book focuses on Father Damien’s relationship with the people of Kalaupapa and also discusses his legacy in the context of current discussions related to leprosy and human rights. 

The following excerpts from the book highlight Father Damien’s relationship with the people of Hawaii as well as his sense of justice and efforts to reaffirm the value of every individual.

Father Damien’s relationship with the Native Hawaiians:

“. . . you could not wish for better people; gentle, pleasant-mannered, exceedingly tender-hearted, they neither seek to amass riches, or live in luxury, or dress much, but are most hospitable, and ready to deprive themselves of necessaries in order to supply your every want if you have to ask a night’s shelter from them . . . I like them immensely . . .”

-- Father Damien describing the Hawaiian people to his brother, Father Pamphile, in 1864

“Father Damien used to come to our house in Pelekunu [Valley, island of Molokai ].  When we asked him if he wanted something special to eat, he answered:  ‘Do not disturb yourself, I will eat what you have.’  He was satisfied with a bit of taro, a piece of fish, and a glass of water.’”

 -- Joseph Manu, who knew Father Damien for 16 years and would take him by canoe to the valleys on the north shore of the island of Molokai

Father Damien’s relationship with parents of children who were taken from their families and sent to Kalaupapa because they had leprosy:

“I send this short note to you because we sent some Christmas presents to our child Peter Camacho to be under your care and that you will open the box yourself and give it to him whatever it contains.  A tin of crackers and some toys for him to play with to amuse himself . . . Dear Father Damien, I am very grateful to you for the care of my child in the strange land without any hope for our seeing him again in this world . . . tell Peter that we all send our love . . .”

-- Francisco Camacho to Father Damien, December, 1888, regarding his nine-year-old son Peter who had been sent to Kalaupapa earlier that year

Father Damien’s understanding of the difficulty of being separated from family:

In his memoirs, Ambrose Hutchison, who was sent to Kalaupapa in 1879 because he had leprosy and who held major leadership positions there, described how he and Father Damien would sit and chat in Father Damien’s parlor during “moments of leisure.”  He recalled Father Damien’s great love for his family:

“. . . in talking to me about them, his inward feeling of affection would overcome him and he was silent for some moments.  Naturally during that moment of silence I felt and shared the same feeling of love with the kind tender hearted priest.  Dear Father Damien.  It is the common heritage of all people to cherish the memory and love of those whom they hold dear in life.”

-- Ambrose Hutchison, Father Damien’s friend for 10 years

Father Damien’s belief in justice and his understanding of the toll that separation took on the Hawaiian people:

“In fulfillment of my duties as priest, being in daily contact with the distressed people, I have seen and closely observed the bad effect of forcible separation of the married companions.  It gives them an oppression of mind which, in many instances, is more unbearable than the pains and agonies of the disease itself . . .

“I think it is but justice, and in accordance with Divine and humane law, that faithful husbands and wives . . . should be allowed to accompany their partners to their exile in Kalawao.”

-- Father Damien, Report to the Hawaii Board of Health, 1886

Father Damien’s relationship with the Hawaiian Royal Family:

“The people here are supporting me in whatever I ask . . . because of your good and charitable work for our people . . . I pray to Almighty God to help us in this great work . . . With best wishes to you and our beloved people.”

-- Queen Kapiolani to Father Damien, 1884

Father Damien’s deep faith and love:

“He had great hope in God as he always prayed God to obtain what he wanted, as well as in his sufferings.  This is the reason why he always was so strong and courageous in his work.  He never lost courage.  I know because I saw him.  Great must have been his love for others, as he never ceased to comfort, encourage and visit them in their houses and he was prepared to sacrifice all to alleviate their sufferings.  When they were near to death, he prayed with them and for them.”

-- David Ilihia, who was interviewed by the Catholic Church in 1938 as a witness for the Cause of Father Damien

Father Damien’s legacy:

“I love Father Damien . . . I think of him as my North Star – He guides me.

“Dignity is not something that others can give you.  It is something inherent in each of us.  Recognizing the dignity inherent in each human being is the beginning of human rights.”

-- Bernard K. Punikai`a, composer, musician and international human rights advocate, who was separated from his mother at the age of six because he had leprosy and sent to Kaluapapa in 1942 at the age of 11

From the Epilogue:

“In the 21st century, the challenges surrounding leprosy are related to the realization of identity, equality, justice, and human rights.  Around the world, individuals long cured of leprosy continue to be denied basic rights outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights . . .

“Individuals whose lives have been challenged by leprosy are increasingly exerting their right to full and equal participation in all matters pertaining to their own lives and to their history.  Until individuals affected by this disease fully regain their rightful place in their homes, communities, countries, and in their histories, leprosy will remain an essential challenge and a vital component in the international discussion of human rights and responsibilities.”

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