After 14 years away,
Cd. Szoka still misses home
By John Thavis Special to The Michigan Catholic
Published June 4, 2004
VATICAN CITY – He's been away from the Detroit area for 14 years now, and Cardinal Edmund C. Szoka says he still misses home.
"There are a lot of things I miss. I miss being in my own country. I miss speaking English, since I have to speak Italian almost all the time in my work," Cardinal Szoka said.
And while Italy is a beautiful country and its people are almost universally friendly, "the culture is very different from what we're used to" in the United States, he said.
"It takes a long time to get used to the way of life here, and you have to learn how to work within it – because you can't think you're going to change it," he said.
|
|
|
(CNS photo from Catholic Press Photo)
An aerial view of the Vatican shows St. Peter's Basilica and Square, as well as several other buildings in Vatican City, in a 2001 file photo. The Vatican celebrated its 75th birthday as a city-state on Feb. 11, which marks the signing of the Lateran Pacts of 1929. Under the agreements, the Vatican recognizes the Italian state and Italy recognizes the pope's absolute sovereignty and independence over the 109-acre property. |
But it's not as if Cardinal Szoka has been completely cut off from his roots. Over the years, plenty of Michigan pilgrims have made their way to Rome and paid him a visit.
"For 19 years I was a bishop in two different dioceses, in Gaylord and Detroit, and I was a priest in the Diocese of Marquette. So I have a large number of acquaintances who come here and want to stop and say hello to me. I try to accommodate them, even if it's just for a few minutes," he said.
Sometimes old friends fax him or e-mail for hotel recommendations. Sometimes they want to visit the Vatican Gardens or a take private tour of the Vatican Museums.
"The museum private tour can be arranged for groups, in the off hours. But they've got to pay for it, because it means overtime for our guards and other employees," he said.
When he needs to, Cardinal Szoka can stay in touch with news back home through U.S. media, since the Vatican's cable TV system includes channels such as CNN, CNBC and others.
"But I rarely look at television. I might look at Bloomberg for a minute to see what the stock market is doing," he said.
What does he do for fun and relaxation?
"I try to go up to the (Vatican) Gardens every day for a walk. It's a beautiful place," he said. On Sunday nights, he might settle in with a bowl of popcorn and watch a DVD or videotaped movie.
But mainly, he said, "my work is my fun." In off hours, he enjoys strolling around Vatican City and chatting with employees. He said that, with few exceptions, they're a good bunch with a good spirit.
Cardinal Szoka also serves on five Vatican congregations, which means much of his spare time is eaten up by meetings several times a month – on issues related to evangelization, bishops, saints, religious and clergy.
"So, I've got a lot to do. I don't have a lot of free time – put it that way," he said.
When he marks the 50th anniversary of his ordination in June, he plans to celebrate with a Mass with Vatican employees as well as Masses back home in Michigan.
"When I was young, I remember that when a priest celebrated his 50th anniversary it was something unusual. But today it's not so extraordinary. I think the medical profession is keeping us alive longer," he said.
Of course, he said, he never imagined when he was ordained that one day he'd be coming to the Vatican and managing its city-state.
"That never even occurred to me," he said with a laugh.
|
