1866 - 2016 Herinnering
Congregatie van de Allerheiligste Verlosser Missionarissen Redemptoristen
284 jaar 1732 – 2016
150ste verjaardag van de Redemptoristen missie in Suriname
150th anniversary of the Redemptorist Mission in Suriname 1866 - 2016 Remembrance
150 anos da MissĂŁo Redentorista no Suriname 1866 - 2016 MemĂłria
PRESENTATIE
B
roers en zusters, na 150 jaar een herinnering aan het begin van de Missie der Redemptoristen in Suriname. Kloosters en huizen, de bevolking, de eerste missionarissen. Batavia en de Zalige Petrus Donders, Apostel van Suriname. De Apostolische Vicarissen en de oprichting van het Bisdom. De Kathedrale Basiliek en andere kerken die gebouwd werden. De belangrijke rol van de religieuzen en andere congregaties. De Zusters van Paramaribo. Het seminarie en de eerste roepingen. De gezamelijk missie met de Brazilianen. Onze tijd... en vele wonderen en tekenen. Waardevolle foto’s om God te loven die ons in Christus heeft uitverkoren om het evangelie steeds op een nieuwe manier te prediken. Bid voor ons!
PRESENTATION
D
ear Brothers, after 150 years a remembrance of the start of the Redemptorist Mission in Suriname. Convents and homes, the people, the first missionaries. Batavia and Blessed Peter Donders, Apostle of Suriname. The Apostolic Vicars and the creation of the diocese. The Basilica Cathedral and other churches built. The important role of religious and other congregations. Sisters of Paramaribo. The seminar and the first vocations. Mission together with Brazilians. The present days‌ and many miracles and wonders. Precious photos to praise God who has chosen us in Christ to preach the gospel in a ever new way. Pray for us!
4
APRESENTAÇÃO
Q
ueridos irmãos, depois de 150 anos uma lembrança do início da Missão Redentorista no Suriname. Conventos e casas, o povo, os primeiros missionários. Batávia e o Beato Pedro Donders, apóstolo do Suriname. Os vigários apostólicos e a criação da diocese. A Catedral Basílica e outras igrejas construídas. O importante papel das religiosas e outras congregações. Irmãs de Paramaribo. O seminário e as primeiras vocações. Missão junto aos brasileiros. Os tempos de hoje... E tantos milagres e prodígios. Fotos preciosas para louvar a Deus que nos escolheu em Cristo para evangelizar de modo sempre novo. Rezem por nós!
5
“A
ls apostel en ware volgeling van St. Alfonsus is de Redemptorist een man met sterk geloof, vervuld van de vreugde van de hoop, met een vurige liefde, brandend van ijver en nederig van hart, een man ook van volhardend gebed. Zo deelt hij als blijmoedige volgeling van zijn Zaligmaker Christus in diens mysterie en verkondigt hij dit mysterie in evangelische eenvoud van leven en woord. Zo is hij met verloochening van zichzelf beschikbaar voor elk moeilijk werk om mensen overvloedige Verlossing te brengen. Constituties nr. 20
“S
trong in faith, rejoicing in hope, burning with charity, on fire with zeal, in humility of heart and persevering in prayer, Redemptorists as apostolic men and genuine disciples of Saint Alphonsus follow Christ the Redeemer with hearts full of joy; denying themselves and always ready to undertake what is demanding, they share in the mystery of Christ and proclaim it in Gospel simplicity of life and language, that they may bring to people plentiful redemption.” Constitution no. 20
“F
ortes na fé, alegres na esperança, fervorosos na caridade, inflamados no zelo, humildes e sempre dados à oração, os redentoristas, como homens apostólicos e genuínos discípulos de Santo Afonso, seguindo contentes a Cristo Salvador, participam do seu ministério e anunciam-no com evangélica simplicidade de vida e de linguagem, pela abnegação de si mesmos, pela disponibilidade constante para as coisas mais difíceis, a fim de levar aos homens a copiosa redenção.” Constituição no 20
7
I Het begin van de Missie der Redemptoristen in Suriname.
The beginning of the Redemptorist Mission in Suriname.
InĂcio da MissĂŁo Redentorista no Suriname.
O
p 30 juli 1865, vertrouwt Paus Pius IX het Vicariaat Suriname toe aan de Nederlandse Redemptoristen, met goedkeuring van de Algemene Overste Pater Nicolaas Mauron. Tot Apostolisch Vicaris wordt Pater Johannes Swinkels benoemd (25 september 1865). Hij werd tot bisschop gewijd op 15 oktober 1865. Monseigneur Swinkels komt in Paramaribo, hoofdstad van Suriname, een Nederlandse kolonie, op 20 februari 1866 met de eerste Redemptoristen aan. Vanaf deze datum starten de Missionarissen Redemptoristen een nieuwe missieloopbaan, bijzonder gericht op de evangelisatie van de armen en verlatenen via de prediking, assistentie aan de zieken, in het bijzonder aan melaatsen, en de invoeging van het missionaire aspect. Velen missionarissen (Mgr. Swinkels, Mgr. Schaap, Mgr. Wulfingh, Mgr. Van Roosmalen, Mgr. Kuijpers, Pater Lemmens, Frater Anselmus Bonten, Frater Frans Harmes, Frater Willem van Wollenberg, etc) zijn hier geweest en hebben diepe sporen achtergelaten in de Evangelisatie en bij de bouw van de kerk in Suriname. Onder hen valt de figuur van Petrus Donders op, apostel van de melaatsen, indianen en negers. Onze Zalige is erkend en wordt beschouwd als nederige apostel van de Kerk van God in Suriname.
O
n July 30, 1865, Pope Pius IX trusts the Dutch Redemptorists, with the approval of the Superior General Father Nicolaus Mauron, the Vicariate of Suriname. Father Johannes Swinkels (25 September 1865) was appointed as Apostolic Vicar and then consecrated as bishop on October 15, 1865; Mgr. Swinkels reaches Paramaribo, capital of Suriname, a Dutch colony, with the first Redemptorists, on February 20, 1866. From this date, the Redemptorist Missionaries began a new journey through the explicit mission of preaching the Word, being present among the poor and abandoned, giving assistance to the sick, especially the lepers, and missionary insertions. There were many missionaries (Mgr. Swinkels, Mgr. Schaap, Mgr. Wulfingh, Mgr. Roosmalen, Mgr. Kuijpers, Father Lemmens, Brother Anselmus Bonten, Brother Frans Harmes, Brother Willem van Wollenberg, etc.) who have passed through this land and left deep marks on Evangelization and construction of the church in Suriname. Among them, is the figure of Blessed Peter Donders, apostle of the lepers, indians and blacks. Our Blessed is recognized and considered the humble apostle of the Church of God in Suriname.
10
N
o dia 30 de julho de 1865, o Papa Pio IX confiou aos redentoristas holandeses, com aprovação do superior-geral Padre Nicolaus Mauron, o Vicariato do Suriname. É nomeado vigário apostólico o Padre Swinkels (25 de setembro de 1865), sendo consagrado bispo em 15 de outubro de 1865; Mgr. Swinkels chega a Paramaribo, capital do Suriname, colônia holandesa, com os primeiro redentoristas, no dia 20 de fevereiro de 1866. A partir desta data, os missionários redentoristas iniciam uma nova jornada de missão por meio da pregação explícita da Palavra, da presença no meio dos pobres e abandonados, da assistência aos enfermos, especialmente os leprosos, e da inserção missionária. Muitos foram os missionários (Mgr. Swinkels, Mgr. Schaap, Mgr. Wulfingh, Mgr. Roosmalen, Mgr. Kuijpers, Padre Lemmens, Irmão Anselmus Bonten, Irmão Frans Harmes, Irmão Willem van Wollenberg, etc.) que passaram por aqui e deixaram marcas profundas na evangelização e na construção da Igreja no Suriname. Dentre eles, destaca-se a figura do Beato Pedro Donders, apóstolo dos leprosos, índios e negros. Nosso beato é reconhecido e considerado o apóstolo humilde da Igreja de Deus no Suriname.
11
II Batavia en de Zalige Petrus Donders, Apostel van Suriname.
Batavia and the Blessed Peter Donders, Apostle of Suriname.
Batรกvia e o Beato Pedro Donders, Apรณstolo do Suriname.
III The Apostolic Vicars and the creation of the Diocese.
De Apostolische Vicarissen en de oprichting van het Bisdom.
Os vigários apostólicos e a criação da Diocese.
Mgr Johannes B. Swinkels, C.Ss.R. (1866–1875) Funda Nos In Pace – Vestig ons in de vrede
Mgr J.H. Schaap, C.Ss.R. (1875–1889) Copiosa Apud Eum Redemptio – Bij Hem is overvloedige verlossing
Mgr Wilhelmus Wulfingh, C.Ss.R. (1889–1906) Succurre Miseris – Sta de verschoppelingen bij
Mgr J.C. Meeuwissen, C.Ss.R. (1907–1912) Adeamus Cum Fiducia – Laten wij met vertrouwen gaan
Mgr Th.A.L.M. van Roosmalen, C.Ss.R. (1912–1946) Deus Fortitudo Mea – God is mijn kracht
Mgr Stephanus Kuijpers, C.Ss.R. (1946–1970) Iter Para Tutum – Bereid ons een veilige weg
Mgr Aloysius Zichem, C.Ss.R. (1970–2003) Amore Traxit Omnia – Door de liefde heeft hij alles tot zich getrokken
IV De Kathedrale Basiliek en andere kerken die gebouwd werden.
The Basilica Cathedral and other constructed churches.
A Catedral BasĂlica e outras igrejas construĂdas.
V De belangrijke rol van de religieuzen en andere congregaties. De Zusters van Paramaribo.
The important role of religious people and other congregations. Sisters of Paramaribo.
O importante papel das religiosas e outras congregaçþes. Irmãs de Paramaribo.
VI The seminar and the first vocations.
Het seminarie en de eerste roepingen.
O seminário e as primeiras vocações.
VII
De gezamelijke missie met de brazilianen.
The Brazilian Missionaries. Mission with the Brazilians.
Os MissionĂĄrios brasileiros. MissĂŁo junto aos brasileiros.
VIII Deze tijd…
The present days...
Os tempos de hoje...
CONGREGATIE VAN DE ALLERHEILIGSTE VERLOSSER (Der Redemptoristen)
72
INTRODUCTIE
Mertens en Nellius Tyndall zijn niet meegerekend
Er zijn 173 priesters en 73 fraters redemptoristen uit Nederland naar Suriname gekomen van 1866 tot 1997. Onder hen is een pater uit Engeland en een pater uit St. Thomas. 3 werkten eerst in Brazilië en 3 vertrokken van Suriname naar Brazilië. De Surinaamse redemptoristen zoals pater Henri Rikken, pater Harry Moesai, Mgr. Aloysius Zichem en pater Waldie Wong Loi Sing zijn meegeteld en de Surinaamse fraters Edgar Alamake en Hendrik Biswane ook. De Surinaamse redemptoristen Adriaan
omdat zij in Nederland en Brazilië gewerkt hebben. Later, vanaf juni 2001, zijn enkele Braziliaanse redemptoristen naar Suriname gekomen, op het moment vier (04). Bisschop Emeritus Mgr. Aloysius Zichem, gerekend bij de Nederlandse groep is nu de enige en laatste. Het jaar 1947 is het hoogtepunt: er waren toen 42 paters en 26 fraters. Frater Ferdinand van de Berg was er 62 jaar lang in Suriname en pater Hendrik Ruyter 60 jaar.
In 1997 werd de vice-provincie van Suriname, als onderdeel van de provincie van Nederland, opgeheven bij gebrek aan leden. Na 1997 zijn nog enkele Nederlandse redemptoristen met een persoonlijk contract met het bisdom gebleven. De laatste Nederlandse redemptorist vertrok in 2010. Enkelen zijn als onderwijzer naar Suriname gekomen en zijn daar pas aan de priesterstudie begonnen. Enkelen waren nog novices. In 1895 waren 7 paters en 4 fraters werkzaam in het onderwijs.
SURINAME Suriname was een wingewest van Nederland met een plantage-economie (1667). Slaven werden daartoe ingevoerd. De slavenhandelaars en het koloniaal bestuur waren aanhangers van de gereformeerde religie. Katholieken waren in het bestuur niet getolereerd. Toch waren er heel kort enkele Franciscanen uit Zuidelijk Nederland. Pas in 1786 is het de katholieken geoorloofd een kerk op te richten. Enkele Nederlandse diocesane priesters kwamen maar stierven of vertrokken snel. Zo af en toe kwam er een katholieke priester en vanaf 1817 de definitieve vestiging. Een paar diocesane priesters kwamen naar Suriname en er waren er enkelen toen de redemptoristen in 1866 daar kwamen.
CONGREGATIE VAN DE REDEMPTORISTEN De redemptoristen in 1732 gesticht door de H. Alfonsus de Liguori in Napels als een religieuze congregatie bijzonder gericht op de evangelisatie van de armen via de prediking, breidde zich uit over Europa. Ook in BelgiĂŤ, van waaruit het eerste redemptoristenklooster te Wittem in 1836 werd gesticht. Daar groeide het aantal leden, zoals bij vele andere ordes en congregaties. In de jaren 50 en 60 van de 19e eeuw werden zij gevraagd voor de missie op de Antillen, Oost-IndiĂŤ (Indonesia) en Zuid-Afrika. De groep meende nog te klein te zijn voor een dergelijk werk. In 1865 zocht de Congregatie van de Propaganda Fide, met de zorg voor de missies, contact met de algemene overste van de redemptoristen in Rome om de Nederlandse redemptoristen te vragen de zorg voor de kerk van Suriname op zich te nemen (ius commissionis). Eind augustus 1865 kwam men tot overeenstemming. Er werd een apostolisch vicaris benoemd (Johannes Swinkels) en bisschop gewijd en 2 paters en 1 frater (een broer van Mgr. J.
Swinkels en die na een half jaar stierf) werden voor dit avontuur benoemd. Ze werden eind november 1865 voor de tocht vanuit Den Helder opgeroepen maar vanwege gebrek aan wind vertrok het schip pas februari 1866. Op 26 maart 1866 kwam de groep aan. Twee van de aanwezige priesters, Peerke Donders en Jan Romme sloten zich in 1867 bij de redemptoristen aan. SPIRITUALITEIT VAN DE REDEMPTORISTEN De spiritualiteit van de redemptoristen heeft als thema: Copiosa apud eum redemptio, bij God is overvloedige verlossing. Dus God als bevrijder, bijzonder van de armen. Het kloosterleven bestond uit gemeenschappelijke oefeningen/bijeenkomsten zoals meditatie, morgen- en avondgebed, geestelijke lezing, rozenkrans bidden. De Heilige Regel en de Constituties waren de leidraad. De onderhouding van de Heilige Regel was streng en gecontroleerd. De kloosteroverste moest eenmaal per jaar alles controleren (visitatie) en er verslag van maken. De leden moesten steeds herinnerd worden aan de punten van de visitatie.
MISSIE VAN DE REDEMPTORISTEN De redemptoristen kenden eigenlijk geen parochiewerk, maar waren voor retraites, missies, meditaties. In Suriname moesten ze het parochiewerk aanpakken. Zij hadden geen speciale opleiding voor Suriname tijdens hun opleiding in hun studiehuis te Wittem. Ze moesten zo ongeveer alles in de nieuw situatie uitvinden. De apostolisch vicaris was tegelijk ook kloosteroverste, tegelijk overste van de pastorie van de kathedraal en tegelijk de overste van de kerk. Toen het aantal leden in Suriname toenam werden de taken ook uitgesplitst. De paters en fraters werden ook in de districten geplaatst: niettemin moesten ze de gemeenschappelijke oefeningen onderhouden. Enkele paters en fraters hebben het klooster verlaten en zijn in Suriname of in Nederland uitgetreden. De priesters waren bezig met parochiewerk, in stad en districten en later, in het bosland. Dat eiste dat ze de lokale taal Sranan moesten leren. Bovendien werden mensen uit China, Brits-IndiĂŤ en Java als contractarbeiders aangevoerd. De priesters leerden de talen, wanneer zij voor een bepaalde groep benoemd werden. Ook werden aparte internaten opgericht voor Javaanse jongens
73
en 2 voor Javaanse meisjes, voor wezen, voor de Hindoestanen, voor kinderen van het bosland. In de jaren 60 van de 20e eeuw is dat systeem afgebouwd vanwege het opkomend nationalisme. De redemptoristen werden bij hun opbouw van de lokale kerk geholpen door de Franciscanessen van Roosendaal (1856), door de Liefdezusters van Tilburg (1894), door de Zusters Franciscanessen van Oudenbosch (1925), de lokale congregatie van de Zusters van Paramaribo (1932) door de Oblaten van Maria (1949), leden van de Graal (1948), de Zusters Missionarissen van Maria (1972) en de Salvatorianen (1982). De lokale clerus nam heel langzaam in aantal toe. Paters namen goede initiatieven. In Tamarin aan de Cottica werd een centrum gebouwd met een houtzaagmolen. In Coronie werd een rijstpolder ingericht met een rijstpelmolen. Groningen in de Saramacca zag een bijeentelt met kassen ontstaan. Bij km 25 aan het Pad van Wanica werd het landbouwproject voor Hindoestaanse jongeren opgericht, Girjapur. De melk een groenten werd in Paramaribo verkocht en van de melk maar zusters van Tilburg kaas. Een belangrijk werkgelegenheidsproject was de oprichting van de Vlechtschool die heel wat vrouwen iets opgeleverd heeft. Frater Frans Hames bouwde de kathedraal. Fraters werden baas van de drukkerij Van Der Boomen. De kalender De Bonte Vlinder werd begonnen. Frater Anselmus Bonter was een professionele musicus en was organist een dirigent in de kathedraal. Frater Donatus Bruinincx leidde de houtzagerij achter de kathedraal en frater Andreas van der Vlugt was enkele jaren voorzitter van de Associatie van Surinaamse Farbrikanten toen hij leider was van het agrarisch project Copieweg. Enkele redemptoristen springen er uit. Allereerst de vier die melaats zijn geworden: pater Johannes Bakker, pater Johannes Broos, pater Felix Lemmens en frater Justinus de Bres. Enkelen zijn verdronken (frater Leo op de boot naar Nederland gestorven en in zee begraven), frater Antonius in de Saramacca, pater Nicolaas Spruyt (1957 in de Suriname) en pater Petrus van der Pluym (in de Suriname,1961). Enkelen zijn in het verkeer verongelukt (pater Wilhelmus Voorbraak, pater Wilhelmus Spekman, pater Marius Schippers) en een is vermoord (pater Andreas
74
Gerritsen, 1973). Mgr. Wilhelmus Wulfingh stierf op de eerste dag op de boot naar Suriname, Hij is met de boot in een loden kist meegenomen naar Paramaribo en daar begraven). Frater Andreas v.d. Vlugt is omgekomen bij de vliegramp van 1989. Heel uitzonderlijk was pater Arnold Borret. Hij was gedoctoreed in het Recht, kwam als griffier van de Koloniale Staten in Suriname, werd lid van de Koloniale Staten, wilde redemptorist (1882) en priester (1883) worden. Helaas is hij al in 1888 overleden. Even opzienbarend was pater Felix Lemmens. Hij was militair commandant van Fort Nieuw-Amsterdam. Hij wilde ook kloosterling en priester worden. Hij vertrok naar Wittem, werd priester en keerde in 1888 terug. In 1902 toonde de melaatsheid zich en hij is in 1906 in de katholieke melaatseninrichting de Majella gestorven.
PUBLICATIES De missie had missiebladen als “Petrus Donders Tijdschrift”, de “Clemensbode”. De kerk gaf een krant uit “De Surinamer” en het “Zondagsblad”, “De Katholieke Waarschuwer”, “De Katholiek” en nu “Omhoog”. Diverse paters hebben publicaties verzorgd zoals pater Cornelius van Coll over Zeden en gewoonten, pater Adrianus Bex met zijn spraakkunst van het Sranan, pater Wilhelmus Ahlbrinck met zijn Encyclopaedie van de Caraiben (1935), pater Cornelius de Klerk over de Hindoestaanse immigratie en over Cultus en Ritueel bij de orthodoxe Hindoes in Suriname, pater Antonius Donicie een Grammaire van het Sranan. Pater Franciscus Morssink en frater Bernardus Stoop hebben bekendheid gegeven aan het Afakaschrift. Er zijn katechismussen en enkele zang- en gebedenboeken en enkele bijbelgedeelten uitgegeven in het Sranan, het Hindi, het Arowaks en het Caraibs. Pater Adrianus de Groot maakte toneelstukken en schreef ook in het Sranan en publiceerde woordregisters in het Aukaaans en het Saramaccaans. Pater Gysbertus Roest maakte het Surinaamse liturgische lezingenboek Leysipisi.
DE KERK IN SURINAME De kerk heeft een bescheiden resultaat geboekt. In aantal werd de katholieke de grootste religieuze gemeente. Maar de klemtoon kwam niet op de kwantiteit maar op de kwaliteit te liggen.
Toen het vicariaat bisdom werd in 1958 was een slechts één Surinaamse priester redemptorist (pater Moesai) en 2 diocesane priesters in Brazilië (André Berenos en Rudolf Lim a Po). Ze zijn er niet in geslaagd het kloosterleven aantrekkelijk te maken. Mgr Theodorus van Roosmalen wijdde in zijn periode 1912-1946 slechts één priester en nog wel een Nederlander. Dat is een tegenvaller in de opbouw van de kerk. De kerk werd steeds Surinaamser in plaats van Nederlands. Het Sranan werd gebruikt, er kwam aandacht voor de eigen cultuur van de bevolkingsgroepen, het catechesemateriaal werd lokaal aangemaakt. De redemptoristen ondersteunden het gemeenschapsontwikkelingsproject voor het bosland van de Pater Ahlbrinck Stichting (PAS) en de opleiding van katechisten voor de dorpen in het bosland en later voor het bisdomkader. Redemptoristen hielpen mee de missie tot kerk te maken, de parochies te structureren, en leden tot diverse ambten op te leiden door overdracht en vorming. Indifferentisme en secularisatie dienen zich aan en de kerk kan zich daartoe gereed maken, ook op nationaal niveau. De kerk had grote moeite met de zeden en gewoonten wat betreft huwelijk en gezin in Suriname. In 1965 verklaarde het 2e Vaticaans Concilie dat de andere religies ook waarden hadden. Dat stuurde aan tot de dialoog der godsdiensten. De kerk had niet alle waarheid in pacht. Ook groeide de oecumene. De rijkdom van de culturen werd onderschreven en het bisdom aanvaardde dat gegeven in haar beleid, zeker in een multiculturele en multireligieuze samenleving, zoals de Surinaamse samenleving is. De relatie met de omgeving nam toe, losser van Nederland. De verbindingen in het Caribisch Gebied groeiden en Suriname had daartoe een goede bijdrage. Met een centraal seminarie op Trinidad waar 2 kandidaten zich voorbereiden op het priesterschap. Het financiële kwestie is altijd zorgelijk. De redemptoristen hebben het vicariaat en het bisdom niet financieel onafhankelijk weten te maken, ondanks allerlei pogingen daartoe. De redemptoristen zijn er ook niet in geslaagd eigen kader voor het bisdom op te leiden.
HEDENDAAGSE GESCHIEDENIS Tot heden zijn er diverse Nederlanders werkzaam in het bisdom. De hoop, ontstaan na de bisschopsbenoeming van de Surinamer Mgr. Aloysius Zichem tot bisschop, op een eigen lokale clerus is niet helemaal gerealiseerd. Er is wel een fundament voor gelegd ook in Nederland, met zoveel Surinamers. De missiebladen schetsten een apart beeld van mens en milieu. Over en weer kunnen vruchtbare relaties groeien. De zorg voor het milieu in het deel van de Amazone mag hoog op de agenda staan. Dat vraagt om een aparte mentaliteit van alle mensen. Suriname kan niet alleen attractief zijn voor toeristen en proefschriftschrijvers. De redemptoristen hebben tijdens de lange reizen in de korjaal op de rivieren de statie en gratie van het oerwoud ervaren als een uniek moment van zin en zaligheid.
INTRODUCTION There are 173 priests and 73 brothers Redemptorists from the Netherlands who came to Suriname from 1866 to 1997. Among them was a priest from England and a priest from St. Thomas. 3 first worked in Brazil and three departed from Suriname to Brazil. The Surinamese Redemptorists as Father Henri Walker, Father Harry Moesai, Mgr. Aloysius Zichem and Father Waldie Wong Loi Sing are counted and the Surinamese brothers Edgar Alamake and Henry Biswane as well. The Surinamese Redemptorists Adrian Mertens and Nellius Tyndall are not included because they have worked in the Netherlands and Brazil. Later, from June 2001, some Brazilian Redemptorists came to Suriname. At the moment there are four brazilian redemptorists. Emeritus Mgr. Aloysius Zichem, who is included in the Dutch group is now the only one in suriname. The year 1947 was the highlight: there were then 42 priests and 26 brothers. Brother Ferdinand Mountain was 62 years in Suriname, and Father Henry Ruyter 60 years. In 1997 the Vice-Province of Suriname, as part of the province of the Netherlands, was dissolved in the absence of members. After 1997 there still remained
75
some Dutch Redemptorists with a personal contract with the diocese. The last Dutch Redemptorist left in 2010. Some came as teachers to Suriname and there begun to study for priesthood. Some were only novices. In 1895, there were seven priests and four brothers working in the education field.
SURINAME Suriname was a colony of the Netherlands with a plantation economy (1667). Slaves were imported for this purpose. The slavers and colonial rulers were followers of the Reformed religion. Catholics were not tolerated in the board. However there were quite a few Franciscans from Southern Netherlands. Only in 1786, the Catholics were allowed to establish a church. Some Dutch diocesan priests arrived but died or left quickly. Occasionally there was a Catholic priest and from 1817 the final settlement. A few diocesan priests came to Suriname and there were a few when the Redemptorists arrived here in 1866.
CONGREGATION OF THE REDEMPTORISTS The Redemptorists, founded in 1732 by St. Alphonsus Liguori in Naples, as a religious congregation especially focused on the evangelization of the poor through preaching, spreaded throughout Europe. Also in Belgium, from where the first Redemptorist monastery in Wittem was founded in 1836. There the number of members increased, like many other religious orders and congregations. In the 50s and 60s of the 19th century, they were asked for the mission in the Antilles, East Indies (Indonesia) and South Africa. The group was thought to be too small for such a work. In 1865, the Propaganda Fide Congregation, responsible for the mission, contacted the Superior General of the Redemptorists in Rome requesting the Dutch Redemptorists to care for the church of Suriname (ius commissionis). End of August 1865 they came to an agreement. An apostolic vicar was appointed (Johannes Swinkels) and consecrated bishop and two priests and one brother (brother of Mgr. J. Swinkels, who died after six months) were nominated for this adventure. End November 1865, they were called up for the trip from Den Helder but due to lack of wind the ship sailed only in February 1866. On March 26, 1866 the group arrived. Two of the priests present, Peerke Donders and Jan Romme, joined the Redemptorist in 1867.
78
SPIRITUALITY OF THE REDEMPTORISTS The theme of the spirituality of the Redemptorists is: Copiosa apud eum Redemptio, with God there is abundant redemption. Thus, God as liberator, particularly for the poor. The monastic life consisted of joint exercises / events such as meditation, morning and evening prayer, spiritual reading, rosary prayer. The Holy Rule and the Constitutions were the guiding principle. The observance of the Holy Rule was strict and controlled. The abbot checked all once a year (visitation) and made a report. Members were constantly reminded of the points of the visitation.
MISSION OF THE REDEMPTORISTS The Redemptorists actually didn’t know parish work, but were there for retreats, missions, meditations. In Suriname they had to deal with the parish work. They had no special training for Suriname during their training in their study house at Wittem. They had to invent just about everything in the new situation. The apostolic vicar was also abbot: abbot of the presbytery of the cathedral, and the abbot of the church. When the number of members in Suriname increased the responsibilities were also divided. The fathers and brothers were also placed in the districts, though they had to maintain the common exercises. Some priests and friars left the convent and retired in Suriname or in the Netherlands. The priests were engaged in parish work in the city and districts and later, in the interior. This demanded that they learned the local language Sranan. Moreover, people from China, British India and Java were brought as contract workers. The priests learned the languages, when they were appointed for a specific group. Separate boarding schools were also established for boys and two for Javanese girls, for orphans, for the hindoestani’s and for children of the interior. In the 60s that system was being phased out because of the rising nationalism. To build the local church, the Redemptorists received help from the Franciscans of Roosendaal (1856), the Sisters of Charity of Tilburg (1894), the Franciscan Sisters of Oudenbosch (1925), the local Congregation of the Sisters of Paramaribo (1932), the Oblates of Mary (1949), Members of the Grail (1948), the Missionary Sisters of Mary (1972) and
the Salvatorians (1982). The local clergy increased very slowly in number. The Fathers took good initiatives. In Tamarin, at the Cottica a center was built with a sawmill. In Coronie a rice polder was equipped with a rice hulling mill. In Groningen in Saramacca apiculture was iniciated. At km 25 in Pad van Wanica the agricultural project was founded for Hindoestani’s youth, Girjapur. The milk and vegetables were sold in Paramaribo and from the milk the Sisters of Tilburg made cheese. An important employment project was the creation of the Braid School, that contributed to many woman. Brother Frans Hames built the cathedral. Brothers took the responsibility of the printing office Van Der Boomen. They started the calendar “De Bonte Vlinder”, Brother Anselmus Bonten was a professional musician and organist and was a conductor at the cathedral. Brother Donatus Bruinincx led the sawmill behind the cathedral and Brother Andreas van der Vlugt was for several years Chairman of the Association of Surinamese Manufactures when he was leader of the agriculture project Copieweg. Some Redemptorists stand out. The first four became leper: Father Johannes Bakker, Father Johannes Broos, Father Felix Lemmens and Brother Justin Bres. Some drowned (Brother Leo died on the boat in the Netherlands and was buried at sea), Brother Antonius in Saramacca, Father Nicolaas Spruyt (1957 in Suriname) and Father Petrus van der Pluym (in Suriname, 1961). Some died from accident in traffic (Father Wilhelmus Voorbraak, Father Wilhelmus Spekman, Father Marius Schippers) and one was killed (Father Andreas Gerritsen, 1973). Mgr. Wilhelmus Wulfingh died the first day on the boat to Suriname, He was taken by boat in a lead coffin to Paramaribo and burried there. Brother Andreas v.d. Vlugt was killed in the 1989 plane crash. Quite exceptional was Father Arnold Borret. He was Doctor in laws and came as clerk of the Colonial States in Suriname, became a member of the Colonial States and wanted to become a Redemptorist (1882) and priest (1883). Unfortunately he deceased in 1888. Equally startling was Father Felix Lemmens. He was military commander of Fort Nieuw Amsterdam. He also wanted to become a monk and priest.
He went to Wittem, became a priest in 1888 and came back. In 1902 he was affected by leprosy, and he died in 1906 in the Catholic Lepers organization Majella.
PUBLICATIONS The mission published missionary magazines like “Peter Donders Magazine, the Clemens Bode”. The church published a newspaper “De Surinamer” and the “Sunday Newspaper”, “De Katholieke Waarschuwer”, “De Katholiek” and now “Omhoog”. Several priests have cared for publications such as pater Cornelius van Coll on Morals and Behaviours, Father Adrianus Bex with its Grammar of Sranan, Father Wilhelmus Ahlbrinck his Encyclopedia of the Caribbean (1935), Father Cornelius de Klerk about the Indian Immigration and Cultus and Ritual in the Orthodox Hindus in Suriname, Father Antonius Donicie a Grammaire of Sranan. Father Franciscus Morssink and Brother Bernard Stoop have given prominence to the Afakaschrift. There are catechisms and some songs and prayer books and some Bible passages published in Sranan, Hindi, Arowak and the Carib. Father Adriaan de Groot wrote dramas and also published word registers in Aukaaans and Saramaccan. Father Gysbertus Roest made the Surinamese liturgical reading book Leysipisi.
THE CHURCH IN SURINAME The church has made a modest result. In numbers the Catholics became the largest religious congregation. However, the emphasis was not on the quantity but on the quality. When the Vicariate became diocese in 1958 only one Surinamese was a Redemptorist priest (Father Moesai) and two diocesan priests in Brazil (André Bérénos and Rudolf Lim a Po). They didn’t manage to make the monastic life attractive. In his period (1912-1946), Mgr. Theodorus van Roosmalen consecrated only one priest and it was a Dutchman. This was a setback in the construction of the church. The church was always more Surinamese instead of Dutch. Sranan was used, there was emphasis on the culture of the communities, the catechetical material was created locally. The Redemptorists supported the community development project of the Father Ahlbrinck Foundation (PAS) for the interior and the training of catechists for the
79
villages in the interior as well and later for the diocese framework. Redemptorists helped to make the mission a church, to structure the parishes and to train the members to various offices by transfer and training. Indifference and secularization presented themselves and the church prepared itself for it, even at national level. The church struggled with the habits and customs regarding marriage and family in Suriname. In 1965, the second Vatican Council declared that other religions have value. This iniciated the dialogue of religions. The church did not have any monopoly on the truth. Ecumenism grew as well. The richness of the cultures was confirmed and the diocese accepted this in her policy, especially in a multicultural and multireligious society, as is the Surinamese society. The relationship with the social environment increased and became less conected to the Netherlands. The connections grew in the Caribbean and Suriname had a good contribution to this. With a central seminar in Trinidad where two candidates are preparing for the priesthood. The financial issue is always worrisome. The Redemptorists did not succeed to make the Vicariate and the diocese financially independent, despite all attempts. The Redemptorists have also not been able to train their own professionals for the diocese.
HISTORY TODAY Up to date, there are several Dutch working in the diocese. The hope which raised following the nomination of the Surinamese bishop Mgr. Aloysius Zichem is not fully realized in its own local clergy. A foundation has been laid in the Netherlands, with many Surinamese. The mission magazines featured a separate image of people and the environment. On both sides fruitful relationships can grow. Concerns for the environment in the part of the Amazon may be high on the agenda. This requires a special mentality from the people. Suriname can not only be attractive to tourists and dissertation writers. During long trips in the canoe on the rivers, the Redemptorists have experienced the station and grace of the interior as an unique moment of meaning and salvation.
80
INTRODUÇÃO De 1866 a 1997, vieram da Holanda para o Suriname 173 sacerdotes e 73 irmãos redentoristas. Entre eles estavam um padre da Inglaterra e um padre de St. Thomas. Três misisonários trabalharam antes no Brasil e outros três partiram do Suriname para o Brasil. Os redentoristas surinameses como Padre Henry Rikken, Padre Harry Moesai, Monsenhor Aloysius Zichem e Padre Waldie Wong Loi Sing estão incluídos e também os irmãos surinameses Edgar Alamake e Henry Biswane. Os redentoristas surinameses Adriaan Mertens e Nellius Tyndall não estão incluídos porque eles também trabalharam na Holanda e no Brasil. Mais tarde, a partir de junho de 2001, alguns redentoristas brasileiros vieram para o Suriname a pedido do governo geral dos redentoristas. No momento, são quatro confrades que atuam no Suriname. O bispo emérito, Mgr. Aloysius Zichem, está contado no grupo holandês, sendo o único missionário da Província Redentorista da Holanda a residir no Suriname. O ano de 1947 foi o momento auge da missão, quando havia no Suriname 42 sacerdotes e 26 irmãos redentoristas. O Irmão Ferdinand van de Berg trabalhou 62 anos no Suriname e o Padre Henry Ruyter, 60 anos. Estes foram os que mais tempo ficaram no Suriname. Em 1997, a Vice-província do Suriname, como parte da Província dos Países Baixos, foi suprimida devido à falta de membros. A partir de 1997 alguns Redentoristas Holandeses que tinham um contrato pessoal com a diocese ainda permaneceram no país. O último redentorista holandês, sem contar o bispo emérito, foi embora em 2010. Alguns vieram como professores para o Suriname e começaram ali os estudos para serem padres. Alguns eram noviços. Em 1895, a Missão Redentorista contava com sete sacerdotes e quatro irmãos que trabalhavam como professores.
SURINAME O Suriname foi uma colônia dos Países Baixos, com uma economia agrícola (desde 1667). Os escravos foram trazidos de diversos lugares com a finalidade de trabalhar nas grandes fazendas e sítios. O arregimentadores de escravos e o conselho colonial eram seguidores da religião
reformada. Os católicos não eram bem aceitos no país pelos colonizadores. No entanto, houve por um período muito curto frades franciscanos do sul da Holanda que deram assistência no país. No entanto, somente em 1786 soi permitido aos católicos estabelecer uma igreja. Alguns sacerdotes diocesanos holandeses chegaram, mas morreram ou foram embora rapidamente. Ocasionalmente, um padre católico vinha residir no Suriname e, em 1817, deu-se o estabelecimento definitivo. Alguns sacerdotes diocesanos vieram ao Suriname como missionários da Holanda e eram poucos sacerdotes no país quando os redentoristas chegaram ali em 1866.
CONGREGAÇÃO REDENTORISTA Os redentoristas foram fundados em 1732 por Santo Afonso de Ligório, em Nápoles, como uma congregação religiosa especialmente focada na evangelização dos pobres por meio da pregação. Logo se espalharam pela Europa. Também na Bélgica se instalaram, de onde o primeiro mosteiro redentorista em Wittem foi fundado em 1836. Isso fez com que o número de membros aumentasse, como em muitas outras ordens e congregações religiosas. Nos anos 50 e 60 do século XIX, os redentoristas holandeses foram convidados para a missão nas Antilhas, Índias Orientais (Indonésia) e África do Sul. O grupo se achou muito pequeno para tal trabalho. Em 1865, a Congregação Propaganda Fide, com preocupação para a missão, entrou em contato com o superior-geral dos redentoristas em Roma para solicitar o envio de redentoristas holandeses para assumirem e cuidarem da Igreja no Suriname (ius commissionis). No final de agosto 1865 chegaram a um acordo. Um vigário apostólico foi nomeado (Johannes Swinkels) e consagrado bispo; outros dois padres e um irmão redentoristas (por sinal, este irmão redentorista era irmão do Monsenhor Johannes Swinkels, mas morreu depois de seis meses no Suriname) foram nomeados para essa aventura. Eles foram convocados em novembro de 1865 para a viagem da cidade de Den Helder até o Suriname. Mas, devido à falta de vento o navio partiu só em 20 de fevereiro de 1866. Em 26 de março de 1866 o grupo chegou. Dois dos sacerdotes holandeses com estada no Suriname, Peerke Donders e Jan Romme, juntaram-se em 1867 aos redentoristas.
ESPIRITUALIDADE DOS REDENTORISTAS A espiritualidade dos redentoristas tem como tema Copiosa apud eum Redemptio, ou seja, em Deus se encontra abundante redenção. Deus é o libertador, redentor, especialmente dos mais pobres. A vida nos conventos redentoristas consistia em exercícios/atividades comuns, como a meditação, de manhã e à noite, oração, leitura espiritual, oração do rosário, etc. A Santa Regra e as Constituições foram o princípio orientador de tudo. A observância da Regra era rigorosa e controlada. O reitor ou superior do convento tinha que verificar tudo uma vez por ano (visitação) e fazer um relatório. Os membros eram constantemente lembrados de suas obrigações na visitação.
MISSÃO REDENTORISTA Os redentoristas, na verdade, não conheciam trabalho paroquial, mas eram preparados para retiros, missões, meditações. No Suriname eles tiveram que lidar com o trabalho paroquial. Não tiveram nenhum treinamento especial para a missão no Suriname durante a formação na casa de estudos em Wittem. Eles tiveram que reinventar praticamente tudo na nova situação. O vigário apostólico era ao mesmo tempo superior da comunidade redentorista, coordenador do presbitério e pároco da catedral. Quando o número de membros redentoristas no Suriname aumentou, aí as responsabilidades também foram divididas. Os padres e irmãos foram enviados aos distritos, embora tivessem que manter os exercícios comuns. Alguns padres e irmãos deixaram o convento e renunciaram à vida consagrada quer fosse no Suriname e até mesmo nos Países Baixos. Na cidade e nos distritos, e mais tarde no interior das florestas, os sacerdotes estavam envolvidos em trabalho paroquial e missionário. Isso exigiu que eles aprendessem sranan, a língua local. Além disso, pessoas da China, da Índia e da Ilha de Java foram trazidas como trabalhadores contratados. Os sacerdotes aprendiam as línguas quando eram nomeados para um grupo específico. Também foram estabelecidos internatos separados para meninos javaneses e dois para meninas javaneses, para os órfãos, para os hindus, para as crianças do interior. Na década de 60 do século XX, esse sistema foi eliminado por causa do nacionalismo crescente.
81
Os redentoristas não estavam sozinhos nessa empreitada. Contaram com a colaboração, na missão e na construção da igreja local, com as irmãs franciscanas de Roosendaal (1856), as irmãs filhas da Caridade de Tilburg (1894), as irmãs franciscanas de Oudenbosch (1925), a congregação local das irmãs de Paramaribo (1932), os oblatos de Maria (1949), os membros do Cálice (1948), as irmãs missionárias de Maria (1972) e os salvatorianos (1982). O clero local cresceu muito lentamente em número. Vários padres tomaram boas iniciativas missionárias. Em Tamarin, em Cottica, um centro foi construído com uma serraria. Em Coronie, onde existia uma plantação de arroz, foi equipada uma fábrica de descasque de arroz. Em Groningen, no distrito de Saramacca, surgiu apicultura com estufas. No km 25 da avenida Pad van Wanica, foi fundado o projeto agrícola para juventude hindu, chamado de Girjapur. O leite e as verduras foram vendidos em Paramaribo e as irmãs de Tilburg faziam queijo do leite. Um importante projeto de emprego foi a criação da Escola de Tranças, que fez a diferença para muitas mulheres. O Irmão Frans Hames construiu a catedral. Vários irmãos redentoristas se tornaram coordenadores da fábrica de imprensa Van Der Boomen. O calendário “De Bonte Vlinder” foi iniciado. O Irmão Anselmus Bonten era um músico profissional e era organista e maestro na catedral. Irmão Donatus Bruinincx era o coordenador da serraria atrás da catedral e Irmão Andreas van der Vlugt, por vários anos, foi presidente da Associação dos Fabricantes Surinameses quando era líder do projeto agrário Copieweg. Alguns redentoristas se destacaram. Em primeiro lugar, os quatro que se tornaram leprosos: Padre Jan Bakker, Padre Jan Broos, Padre Felix Lemmens e Irmão Justin Bres. Alguns se afogaram (Irmão Leo morreu no barco a caminho para Holanda e foi sepultado no mar); Irmão Antonius morreu no distrito de Saramacca; Padre Nico Spruyt morreu em 1957 no Suriname; e Padre Petrus van der Pluym morreu no Suriname em 1961. Alguns morreram no trânsito (Padre Wilhelmus Voorbraak, Padre Wilhelmus Spekman, Padre Marius Schippers) e um foi assasinado (Padre Andries Gerritsen, 1973). Mgr. Wilhelmus
82
Wulfingh morreu em seu primeiro dia de barco pelo Rio Suriname. Ele foi levado de barco em um caixão de chumbo para Paramaribo e enterrado lá. Irmão Andreas v.d. Vlugt morreu no acidente de avião de 1989. Bastante excepcional foi Padre Arnold Borret. Ele era doutor em Direito e veio como escrivão dos Estados Coloniais no Suriname; era membro dos Estados Coloniais e queria ser redentorista (1882) e sacerdote (1883). Infelizmente, veio a falecer em 1888. Igualmente surpreendente foi Padre Felix Lemmens. Ele era comandante militar do Forte Nieuw Amsterdam. Também queria se tornar um misisonário e sacerdote. Ele foi para Wittem, tornou-se padre e voltou em 1888. Em 1902 contraiu lepra e em 1906, morreu no instituto de leprosos Majella.
PUBLICAÇÕES A Missão Redentorista contava com alguns subsídios, como a revista “Peter Donders”, a revista “Clemensbode”. A diocese editava o jornal “De Surinamer” e o “Jornal de Domingo”, “De Katholieke Waarschuwer”, “De Katholiek” e “Omhoog”. Vários padres publicaram documentos, como Padre Cornelius Coll sobre a moral e os bons costumes. Padre Adrianus Bex com sua “Gramática de Sranan”; Padre Wilhelmus Ahlbrinck com sua “Encyclopedia do Caribe” (1935), Padre Cornelius de Klerk sobre a imigração hindu e sobre seitas e rituais dos hindus ortodoxos no Suriname; Padre Antonius Donicie, um livro de gramática da língua Sranan; Padre Franciscus Morssink e o Irmão Bernardus Stoop fizeram publicidade à Afakaschrift. Há catecismos e alguns livros de canto e oração e algumas passagens da Bíblia publicados em sranan, hindi, arowak e carib. Padre Adriaan de Groot fez peças de teatro e também escreveu e publicou dicionários em sranan, em aukaans e saramaccaans. Padre Gysbertus Roest escreveu o livro surinamês de liturgia, “Leysipisi”.
A IGREJA NO SURINAME A Igreja teve um bom modesto resultado em suas obras. Em número, a Igreja Católica tornou-se a maior congregação religiosa no Suriname. Mas, a ênfase não estava na quantidade, e sim na qualidade.
Quando o vicariato apostólico foi elevado a diocese em 1958, apenas um sacerdote surinamês era redentorista (Padre Moesai) e dois padres diocesanos estavam em missão no Brasil (André Berenos e Rudolf Lim A Po). Os redentoristas e outras congregações não conseguiram tornar a vida religiosa consagrada atraente. Monsenhor Theodorus van Roosmalen, no seu período de governo da Diocese de Paramaribo (1912-1946), consagrou apenas um sacerdote e esse era um holandês. Isso é um retrocesso no crescimento da Igreja. Aos poucos a Igreja se tornou cada vez mais surinamesa em vez de holandesa. Foi usada a língua sranan, houve ênfase na cultura do povo, o material catequético foi criado localmente. Os redentoristas apoiaram o projeto de desenvolvimento comunitário para o interior com a Fundação Padre Ahlbrinck (PAS) e a formação de catequistas para as aldeias na floresta e depois para os estudos da diocese. Redentoristas ajudaram a tornar a Igreja mais misisonária, a estruturar as paróquias e treinar os membros para várias serviços por meio de conferências e treinamento. Indiferença e secularismo emergiram e a Igreja pôde se preparar para isso também no nível nacional.
O HOJE DA HISTÓRIA Até o exato momento, vários holandeses de outras congregações estão trabalhando na diocese. A esperança que surgiu depois da nomeação do primeiro bispo surinamês, Monsenhor Aloysius Zichem, para ter o seu próprio clero local, não foi plenamente realizado. Foi feita uma base para isso, também na Holanda, com muitos surinameses. Porém, não houve sucesso. As publicações da missão mostravam uma imagem à parte do homem e do meio ambiente. De ambos os lados relações frutíferas podem crescer. A preocupação com o meio ambiente nessa parte da Amazônia está no topo da agenda. Isso exige uma mentalidade especial de todas as pessoas. O Suriname não só pode ser atraente para os turistas e escritores de dissertações apenas. Os redentoristas experimentaram durante suas longas viagens em canoas nos rios a beleza e a graça da floresta como um momento único de significado e salvação.
A Igreja tinha grande dificuldade com os modos e costumes sobre o casamento e a família no Suriname. Em 1965, o Concílio Vaticano II declarou que outras religiões também tinham valores, o que resultou no diálogo das religiões. A Igreja não tinha toda a sabedoria. O ecumenismo cresceu. A riqueza das culturas foi confirmada e a diocese aceitou esse fato em suas orientações, especialmente em uma sociedade multicultural e multirreligiosa como a sociedade surinamesa. A relação com o ambiente surinamês e com os países caribenhos aumentou, mais desconectada da Holanda. As conexões no Caribe cresceram e o Suriname teve uma boa contribuição. Com a criação do Seminário Maior em Trinidad, vários candidatos se preparam para o sacerdócio. A questão financeira é sempre preocupante. Os redentoristas não conseguiram fazer o vicariato e a diocese financeiramente independentes, apesar de muitas tentativas para isso. Os redentoristas também não conseguiram treinar e motivar os próprios vocacionados para a diocese.
83
VERANTWOORDING VOOR DE UITGAVE Congregatie Van de Allerheiligste Verlosser Generale Overste Pater Michael Brehl C.SsR Coördinator van de Conferentie van Latijns Amerika en het Caraibisch Gebied Pater Manuel Rodriguez Delgado, C.Ss.R Voorzitter van de Unie van Redemptoristen van Brazilië – URB Pater Rogério Gomes, C.Ss.R. Provinciale Overste van de Provincie St. Clemens Pater Dr. Johannes Römelt, C.SsR Missionarissen Redemptoristen in Suriname Pater Rudolf Jacobus Croon, C.Ss.R Pater Gilson da Silva, C.Ss.R Pater Frederico Augusto de Oliveira, C.Ss.R Frater Jorge Tarachuque, C.Ss.R Grafisch project en lay-out Agência Minha Paróquia Herziene druk Eurípedes Amparo Zuster Judit Mawo Fotografie Paul Spapens (Tilburg) Gino Rozenblad Pater Virgilio C. Ss.R. Archief Bisdom Paramaribo (Suriname) Archief Provincie St. Clemens (Nederland) Druk Scala Gráfica e Editora Editora Santuário Oplaag 1000 www.cssr.neuws www.redemptoristensuriname.com