Coming to America: foreign-born priests settle in

We've heard of student exchange programs, for high school and college students.

Now comes word of a priest exchange program, being tried in Kentucky, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader:

Record hot temperatures in recent weeks haven't phased the Rev. Shijo Vadakkumkara.

The 28-year-old priest said he's used to the humid and sultry weather with only the luxury of ceiling fans to keep him cool indoors.

Vadakkumkara, known as Father Shijo (pronounced she-jo), serves as an associate pastor at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. He arrived in Hopkinsville a little more than two months ago from his hometown, Kerala, India.

"In India it is also hot, but we get a lot of breeze," he said, noting that Kerala is located near the Arabian Sea.

Vadakkumkara came to Hopkinsville as part of an international priest exchange program with the Diocese of Owensboro. Through the program, priests from foreign countries move to western Kentucky to serve in designated parishes.

Vadakkumkara and the Rev. Jose Carmelo Salinas, who is from Mexico, serve at SS. Peter and Paul. Salinas also oversees the Latin ministries at two Todd County churches.

Additionally, the Rev. Chrispin Q.B. Oneko, of Kenya, served as an associate pastor at SS. Peter and Paul before shifting his ministry primarily to St. Michael the Archangel in Oak Grove. The Rev. Babu Kulathumkal, of India, serves at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Cadiz and another parish in Aurora. The Rev. Shaiju Thomas, of India, pastors churches in St. Paul parish in Princeton and another in Eddyville.

The Rev. Darrell Venters, vicar of clergy for the diocese, said it is not unusual to have priests from foreign countries to minister in the U.S. The practice has gone on for several years.

"It's just been within the last 40 to 50 years that we've had our own priests," Venters said, noting that for decades American parishes looked to Europe and other countries to fill the pulpits.

Diocese Bishop John J. McRaith said a decline in priests in the U.S. may have contributed to the Catholic churches across America reaching out to other countries.

"Less people are answering the call to become priests," McRaith said. "Not only in our diocese, but also other dioceses in the U.S. have welcomed these priests to help our churches. It turns out to be a great blessing to see the church in a universal light."

In the program, Venters said the diocese issues an invitation to other countries to send priests to the western Kentucky area. The diocese reviews recommendations from the priests' supervisors and checks their references before they are placed with a church in the region.

Upon acceptance, the international priests receive information about the church where they will be placed. The priests go through an orientation program to explain the diocese policies and procedures. The priest receives a religious worker visa that is valid for up to five years. They also get Social Security cards and driver's licenses.

The international priests are then paired with other priests in the parishes, often the pastors, who serve as their mentors.

"After they go through the orientation, then they become pastoral associates before they get their own parish or become pastors," Venters said. "It's the same process as used for our own priests in the U.S."

The Rev. John M. Thomas, pastor at SS. Peter and Paul, has served as mentor to several international priests who have been assigned to the area.

"I make sure the priests are here for the right reasons," he said, noting that the opportunities America offers may cloud a priest's judgment. "They are supposed to be here to serve the needs of the people."

The article goes on to describe what some of the priests do, and how they're fitting in. (On closer inspection, I'm not sure it's accurate for the paper to call this an "exchange program," since there don't seem to be any American priests heading overseas. It's all one-way.)

Photo: Fr. Jose Carmela Salinas, left, receives ordination chalice