A Priest’s Half-Century

BY WINNIE GRAHAM

On December 20 Fr Ignatius Fidgeon OMI celebrates the 50th anniversary of his ordination as a priest, a period that marks both extraordinary service to his flock and total devotion to his calling.

In the near 30 years he was pastor at the St Charles parish in Victory Park, Johannesburg—a time when I was a parishioner there—he not only got to know every parishioner personally, he visited most of them at home, conducted convert classes for many wanting to join the parish, was involved in catechism classes for children, and arranged for both the reconstruction of the church buildings and the redesign of the gardens.

He was busy literally night and day and had a hand in virtually every facet of the church and the running of the Oblates’ home.

That was my perception of the priest during the few years I was a member of his parish, a time when, among many other commitments, he decided to add stained glass windows to the “lemon squeezer” church. He was, in short, an indefatigable worker who, in his quiet way, seized every opportunity to help others—and fulfil his calling.

But his devotion was not limited to his parish alone. When in 1988 Pope John Paul II agreed that a young Basotho woman had indeed had her eyesight restored through the intercession of Father Joseph Gérard OMI—a priest who had died in 1914 and whom he planned to beatify on September 15 that year — Fr Fidgeon recognised the great spiritual opportunities this offered the Church.

Twice I accompanied him to Lesotho before the Holy Father arrived in South Africa and got to meet the daughters of Florina Phakele, the woman whose cure of blindness was attributed to Fr Gérard, providing the approved miracle needed for his beatification.

The Star had asked me to prepare a booklet on the upcoming beatification, an experience that was to become a highlight in my life. It was just one occasion where Fr Fidgeon was on hand to provide guidance and arrange accommodation for me with religious sisters in Maseru.

And later, when Pope John Paul II flew to Lesotho for the beatification ceremony, he was there with a busload of parishioners keen to be part of this moving religious event, despite heavy rain.

Now, as my former parish priest celebrates the 50th anniversary of his ordination as a priest, I find myself remembering the many times he quietly directed me, a full-time journalist, to “stories” of hardship many of our fellow black South Africans were enduring.

I was with him one day when we drove to an informal settlement somewhere on East Rand that had been abandoned—and found a young man lying dead in the road. Almost unconsciously Fr Fidgeon said the prayers for the dead—as I dropped on my knees beside the corpse.

I visited a church he had built for a small community and spoke to countless people who thought of him as a saint.

I haven’t seen Fr Fidgeon in nearly 20 years, but as it was then so it is now: there are many injustices to uncover, people living below the breadline, families without homes, children without families…

We visited townships where we spoke to people in need — and convents where sisters were doing what they could to help the poor and the desperate. My newspaper recognised the importance of the human interest articles I wrote and gave me a free hand.

But it wasn’t always all work and no play. On one occasion the Irish Tourist Board invited me to visit Ireland, providing me with a self-drive car, leaving me free to go where I wished during the ten days it was at my disposal.

As luck would have it, Fr Fidgeon was visiting his sister in Ireland and he invited me to join the family. Kathleen prepared a room for me and Father offered to be my driver.

We started out each morning after breakfast exploring and photographing a different part of the Emerald Isle. With a guide as well informed as “Fidge”, it was a magical experience.

No one knew the countryside and the churches as well as Fr Fidgeon. As important, he understood the Irish political situation which, in those years, seemed always to be “bubbling”.

Fidge, who is now in Krugerdsorp, has dedicated his life to his Church and South Africa where he is a much-loved pastor — but he remains as essentially Irish as the country of his birth.

Our paths crossed for a few short years two decades ago, but his impact remains enormous. I treasure the impact he had on my thinking and the experiences we shared. Long may he continue to light up our lives.