By Celia K. Downes
Hawaii Catholic Herald
The state of Hawaii has officially recognized Servant of God Joseph Dutton, the layman who worked alongside Sacred Hearts Father Damien de Veuster in Kalaupapa and then spent decades ministering to Hansen’s disease patients on the remote Molokai peninsula, by designating April 27 as “Brother Joseph Dutton Day.”
Gov. Josh Green signed Senate Bill 2256 into law at the state Capitol in Honolulu April 23 after praising Dutton as a “hero” who devoted his life to those diagnosed with Hansen’s disease (also called leprosy).
Bishop Larry Silva and officials with the Joseph Dutton Guild, a nonprofit organization founded in 2015 to promote Dutton’s sainthood cause, were among those who filled the fifth-floor ceremonial room for the signing.
Also present were lawmakers including state Senate President Ron Kouchi; Sen. Lynn DeCoite, whose district comprises Molokai, East and Upcountry Maui, Lanai, Kahoolawe and Molokini; and Rep. Jeanne Kapela, whose district comprises East Hawaii island communities.
DeCoite and Kapela were responsible for championing the measure in their respective chambers this year, finally succeeding in getting the bill passed after previous attempts failed.
“Brother Dutton did not seek recognition at all,” DeCoite said in remarks before the bill signing. “He simply just showed up. … Through his actions he brought dignity, comfort and hope to those who had been isolated from their families and communities.”
Dr. Maria Devera, president of the Joseph Dutton Guild, also spoke before the signing and noted that Dutton was a prolific writer who often used “Joyfully yours” as a greeting in his correspondence with others — “and today definitely is a joyful day,” she said.
“It’s been a long road,” Devera said.
Dutton’s life “is a great reminder that anyone in this world with a compassionate heart to care (for) fellow men can make a difference,” she added.
Dutton was born Ira Barnes Dutton on April 27, 1843, in Vermont, and was raised in Wisconsin. After a turbulent life that included Civil War service, a failed marriage, alcoholism and other challenges, he converted to Catholicism in 1883 and chose the baptismal name Joseph.
Three years later, inspired by Father Damien’s work, Dutton arrived in Hawaii and never left — devoting the rest of his life to serving the patients in Kalaupapa. Affectionately called “Brother” by Father Damien, Dutton died in Honolulu in 1931.
His grave sits near St. Damien’s grave outside St. Philomena Church in Kalawao.
Patrick Boland is a member of the Joseph Dutton Guild and was also part of the historical commission that was set up to compile documents to be sent to Rome for Dutton’s “positio,” or comprehensive summary of his life and virtues. He told the Hawaii Catholic Herald that this year’s successful push to recognize Dutton came after failed attempts in the state Legislature the past two years.
Previously, Boland explained, different versions of the bill would be introduced in the state House and Senate and require reconciliation (resolving differences to produce a single, agreed-upon measure) via a conference committee; however, the committees failed to meet before the legislative session adjourned.
He highlighted DeCoite’s and Kapela’s work in getting SB2256 through the Senate, then the House, without amendments, so it was ready for Green’s signature once it passed the House.
(SB2256 also notes that recognition of Dutton’s work actually dates to 1929, when Hawaii’s territorial House of Representatives passed Resolution No. 7 — which “put on record its great appreciation of [Dutton’s] great and inspiring service and influence for good” in his “ministration to the afflicted in Kalawao and Kalaupapa.”)
Dutton joins Kalaupapa’s two saints, St. Damien and St. Marianne Cope, with official days of recognition in Hawaii. St. Damien de Veuster Day is May 10 (marking the day he arrived on Kalaupapa), and St. Marianne Cope Day is Jan. 23 (the day the Franciscan sister was born). Dutton’s day also marks the day he was born.
To watch the ceremony, visit Green’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GovernorHawaii/live_videos.
Raising awareness, funds
Devera shared new efforts by the Joseph Dutton Guild to draw attention to and raise funds for Dutton’s sainthood cause.
One initiative is a television advertisement, made possible through a connection at Spectrum, that began airing on several channels April 27; it’s scheduled to run until the end of June.
The second initiative is a flyer that can be seen on the guild’s website, josephdutton.org. It lists the guild’s fundraising goal and provides a QR code that links to a donation page.
Above: Gov. Josh Green held the newly signed bill establishing Brother Joseph Dutton Day alongside members of the Joseph Dutton Guild, Bishop Larry Silva and lawmakers who helped carry the legislation through to passage. (Celia K. Downes / Hawaii Catholic Herald)