I had lunch yesterday with the Archbishop of Singapore. The guy who runs our soup kitchen wanted some of the Catholics from our group to attend the typical Chinese banquet meal and a pale-face probably counted as double. The purpose of the meeting was to show the Archbishop that Catholics help in the kitchen as well as are recipients of the food. In addition, he also wanted to gain the Archbishop's support.
So the ten of us meet, greet and introduce ourselves outside the door to the restaurant then get shown into a private room inside. The Archbishop keys in on Melanie and me right away, across the round table, as we are the only non-Chinese in the group. He asks where we are from. Melanie says "Siglap" which draws laughter. (most Singaporeans would say "Singapore" but Melanie is proud of her small village and she mimics Americans who say "well originally, I was from Baltimore but I grew up in... and then moved to...").
His Grace turns to me and I say I am from the US. He frowns and asks "You are fighting Obama?" I figure he mis-spoke and I corrected him with a little too much emphasis: "I am fighting FOR Obama". He frowns even deeper. "Aiyoh! That guy wants all Americans to pay for abortions." I am just about to lecture the ignorant git when I remember the purpose of our visit which is not yet 2 minutes old so I bite my tongue. That was about all I could eat that meal because of the rage of wanting to have a discussion with him about realpolitiks and his narrow viewpoint.
There is a cloud over the room by now as people can sense the tension but His Grace was kind enough to move on by telling everyone that he was born in the USA. Shocked looks were changed after a perfect comedic pause when he added "yeah, the Upper Serangoon area" (a traditional Catholic / Eurasian area of Singapore).
Next time that I meet with him, I hope it's in a dark alley.
....and now back to Mom....
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Outsprinkles
These are the people whose love and support get us through each day and who we owe so much. They also helped a little producing......
Almost all of the Offsprinkles
3 comments:
Micheal, I must remind you that Lent is a time to reflect on the last year. Calling out his grace is probably not what was meant by this. Any how you will have cable and internet here next time you are home. couldnt take the Library anymore.
Micheal, I must remind you that Lent is a time to reflect on the last year. Calling out his grace is probably not what was meant by this. Any how you will have cable and internet here next time you are home. couldnt take the Library anymore.
Nice to hear from you, Paul. I guess you're playing 'catch up.' :)
And good job holding your tongue, Michael. I would have liked to ask His Grace how he feels about Santorum's wish to outlaw birth control. Seems to me that such a law would lead to more abortions.
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