24/7/1975,
The settlement was agog. The rumor spread like wildfire. One of my Muslim neighbors had been caught having an affair with another Muslim neighbor’s wife. I was sitting among some men in a house a couple of nights ago. One of our stalwart Catholics inquired of a Hindu man about the incident. “Were they actually caught together in the act?” he asked. He was assured that it was so.
I was surprised this morning when the lady in question arrived at the church. “I have to go to my family house (in another settlement about 10 miles away),” she said. “I want you to come with us please.” I was taken aback. I didn’t really know her and certainly didn’t know any of her family. I protested that there was no reason for me to go as I could do nothing. “No,” she said, “It is very important that you come. People will respect you and listen to your advice.” My arguments cut no ice. She begged and begged that I accompany them. So in the end, against my better judgment, thinking perhaps that I could encourage forgiveness and reconciliation I gave in and went with them.
On arrival at the large farmhouse there were four or five men gathered with serious faces – her Muslim brothers, I assumed. I was introduced to them and I could see that they didn’t know what to do with me but still wanted to be polite. The sat me down in a corner of a large room while they went to the other corner and carried on an intense conversation. I wasn’t asked why I was there and certainly wasn’t asked for my opinion on anything. I felt acutely embarrassed and foolish.
After about an hour they invited me for lunch and sent me back to the church in the same vehicle in which I had come. There was no sign of the lady. Her husband and family left the settlement for good a couple of days later. I never did find out what the outcome of that discussion was.
by Fr. Frank Hoare
