Tribute to a visionary priest

by Letters Editor · November 7, 2013

From Mgr Paul Nadal, Durban

I read the sad news of Fr Matthew McDonald�s death on September 24. I would like to add my voice to the tribute paid to him in The Southern Cross by his confrere Fr Hyacinth Ennis OFM.

“He gave me (and I�m sure many others) a deep and abiding understanding and love of the Gospels and the writings of St Paul.”

In the 1950s Fr McDonald was the lecturer in sacred scripture at St John Vianney seminary. Even though Fr Matthew�s field of theological expertise was dogmatic theology, the seminary at that time did not have a lecturer in sacred scripture (that came later). In the meanwhile Fr Matthew filled in as lecturer in scripture.

In those days the study of scripture was normally dry, dull and uninspiring. This was due to the fact that it was confined mainly to dating and placing a text or book. One had to try to prove through evidence, either internal or external or both, the authenticity of the sacred writer. Very little was done in the way of exposition, explanation, interpretation and application of the sacred text to our lives.

This was certainly not the case in Fr Matthew�s lectures. Not always the best of communicators (he had the habit of speaking rapidly), his subject matter was nevertheless nothing less than brilliant. He brought to life the meaning and the richness of the inspired word of God. This was particularly true of our New Testament studies.

He gave me (and I�m sure many others) a deep and abiding understanding and love of the Gospels and the writings of St Paul.

In 1959 the seminary acquired a lecturer in sacred scripture. This freed Fr Matthew to lecture in his own field, namely dogmatic theology.

Our subject matter for that year was De Ecclesia (The Church). Our textbook (in Latin) was dull, dry and written in scholastic jargon.

Fr Matthew did not even look at the textbook. He had prepared his own lectures based (I think) on the University of Louvain�s publications.

For him the Church was grounded in the biblical concept of the people of God. Some years later, Vatican II�s decree on the Church, Lumen Gentium, recognised and acknowledged in the words of St Peter that we as Church �are a chosen race, a Kingdom of Priests, a holy nation, a people to be a personal possession to sing the praises of God…Once you were a non-person and now you are the people of God� (1 Peter 2:9).

Through his study, research and love of scripture and theology, Fr Matthew was a man well ahead of his time.

Many years later in a discussion with Archbishop Denis Hurley, and much to his surprise, I pointed out that my understanding of the Church as the people of God was not due to Lumen Gentium, but rather to Fr Matthew McDonald.

Not only did Fr Matthew give me a love of scripture and a new understanding of the Church, but he also helped me to develop a critical mind which could sift and distinguish between the good, the bad and the indifferent in matters theological and philosophical.

I owe Fr Matthew McDonald a deep debt of gratitude. He served the people of God as teacher and pastor. He is now with the people of God triumphant.