Hawaii’s priests gather for a group photo May 15 at the annual priests’ convocation at the Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu’s North Shore. The Office of Clergy lists more than half of them as “international.” (HCH photo | Darlene Dela Cruz)
The diocesan Office of Clergy classifies more than half of the priests in Hawaii as “international.” As such, they are, in varying degrees, new to Hawaii’s multi-ethnic island culture, American English and the American legal system, among other things.
How are they adjusting? The Office of Clergy wanted to know, so it conducted an informal computer survey last May 15 at the priests’ convocation, the annual clergy gathering at the Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu’s north shore.
Twenty-seven responded to the seven-question anonymous survey, which asked priests about the challenges faced, the support received and the opportunities found in serving in the islands.
The priests cited cultural and language adjustments as the biggest challenges. They thought diocese-sponsored orientation and training programs were very helpful, while some would welcome longer mentorship periods with experienced island clergy.
Bishop Larry Silva was widely commended for his personal support and encouragement.
Of the approximately 115 priests serving in Hawaii, the clergy office lists 66 as “international.” These include about 30 who belong to foreign dioceses, about 20 members of foreign-based religious orders, and about 15 foreign-born priests who have joined (are incardinated into) the Diocese of Honolulu.
Most of the international priests, 41, come from the Philippines, representing the large island nation’s three major dialects, Ilocano, Tagalog and Visayan.
The rest come from China, Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Africa and Latin America. According to vicar for clergy Father Manuel Hewe, the Office of Clergy does not include priests from English-speaking New Zealand or Ireland in the international category.
Most of the international priests serve in ordinary parishes. But some are chaplains for specific ethnic groups, like the Vietnamese, Koreans and Hispanics. Because they serve their own ethnic groups in their own languages, they do not face many of the cultural adjustment issues other priests face.
Here are the survey questions followed by a summary of the answers.
1. How long have you been serving in the Diocese of Honolulu?
Four priests said they have been in Hawaii less than one year. Five responded one-two years. Two said three years and 16 said they were here for more than four years.
2. Do you see ministry in Hawaii different from ministry in your country/diocese? Please specify.
Nineteen priests answered this question. About half of them said ministry was different in Hawaii citing primarily the “multi-cultural” population and the “mindset” of Hawaii’s parish congregations as being unlike that of their home country.
Others said the life of a parish priest in Hawaii was similar to that back home. Most said the priestly tasks — as one put it: “administering the sacraments, spiritual direction, blessings” — were pretty much the same.
More than a few priests listed “legalities,” “legal matters” and “so many laws,” some referring specifically to the policies that safeguard against sexual abuse, as making ministry in Hawaii a lot more challenging.
3. What challenges have you encountered and have seen from other priests?
“The only challenge I encountered much for the past months is how to deal with my pastor; how to establish a good relationship with him,” wrote one priest. “It’s hard if you are not with the same race and culture.”
Learning to speaking English with an “American accent” and with American idioms was listed by a number of priests as one of their biggest difficulties.
Another priest lamenting the lack of a “housekeeper/helper to cook, laundry, etc.,” a benefit he had at home. It was an opinion repeated by several others.
One cited tensions with local priests. “Because you are from the foreign land, there is a tendency of the local clergy to look down on you,” he wrote.
Another answer seemed to agree with that, reporting “discriminatory or put-down remarks.”
One priest observed that the local Filipino “does not act like” one who lives in the Philippines.
“Observing and learning the culture of the parishioners, especially in a parish with a long history” was a necessity, said another.
“We need to know more and learn more about local mentalities and stories of the community or island,” he said.
4. What are the most helpful supports you receive from the diocese for your ministry?
Many priests welcomed the support of Bishop Larry Silva.
The “bishop is fatherly and appreciates your presence and ministry,” was typical of several comments. “Our bishop has been so supportive and understanding,” wrote another.
A few priests said they were appreciative of the pay and employment benefits.
Several priests praised the assistance and “availability of diocesan personnel.”
Convocations, orientations, seminars, social gatherings, formation programs and other opportunities to get together as priests were also listed as popular means of receiving support in ministry.
5. What style of ministerial mentoring would be most helpful in facilitating your initial ministry in the diocese: peer group, one on one with a senior priest? Please specify.
Responders welcomed the support of peers, but many, if not most, wished they had the guidance of a “senior priest.”
Some priests who were appointed as parish administrators fresh to the islands would have preferred to have served first as a parochial vicar, or associate pastor, under an experienced pastor.
Vicar for Clergy Father Hewe said it is not a common occurrence to appoint someone to head a parish on his first Hawaii assignment but it does happen occasionally with small parishes on the neighbor islands.
One priest wrote that “it is always good to have some time of adaptation training to know about the life of a parish, being in a parish before taking up the responsibility.”
Another was more specific, recommending “living with a well experienced pastor for at least one year before being assigned elsewhere.”
One priest specified wanting “a ‘good’ pastor” as a mentor, while another wrote that being a “senior” priest is not a matter of age, but the “number of years doing ministry in Hawaii.”
6. What contributions have you made and have seen from other priests while ministering here in the diocese?
Most priests see their work as their contribution. As one priest said, “exercising my priesthood faithfully and worthily is my contribution to the diocese.”
To that, some priests added that the support they give to fellow clergymen, especially new arrivals, is part of their contribution.
“Availability,” “dedication” and “involvement” were also listed several times as personal and observed contributions.
7. What could the diocese do additionally to help you in your ministry? Do you have any suggestions for improving the ministry in the diocese?
On-going formation for priests was a popular suggestion in answer to this question.
One priest specifically wanted help in improving his counseling skills, another sought guidance with school administration.
One priest sought “more clergy camaraderie and fraternity through various forms of gatherings and endeavors” listing a variety of possibilities from retreats to sports events to pilgrimage cruises.
Other priests echoed the desire for clergy gatherings and a priesthood “support system.”
One priest said that being paid more would result in better ministry: “One concrete way of improving the ministry of the diocese is to increase the salary and benefits at par with our profession.” He compared his compensation as being more or less equal to that of a “maintenance person of corporations.”
A number of priests said they are satisfied with, and thankful for, the support given them by diocesan offices.
One put it this way: “I think the diocese is doing well in helping the pastors. No additional suggestions.”
The positive support of the bishop was also acknowledged several times.
