Vince Carroll MSC, Diocese of Tzaneen, new book

Vince Carroll writes: 

               I received a book last week of 280 pages on the Diocese of Tzaneen where I used to work. It is excellent production, edited by Elizabeth Mc Donald.I had begun to write such a book, and had amassed a lot of materials, which I gave to her two years ago as I left it secure in South Africa. I have not read the book as yet, but its very thorough and beautifully presented with excellent photos and maps.

Maybe only in the latter (the maps) is my influence as a cartographer to be seen. I did a lot of work there for Bishop Slattery MSC in mapping the diocese, as there was nothing really in existence of any use at that time shortly after apartheid.  I have also helped with maps in one other South African Missionary book, edited by Mick Crowley MSC. I think it was called  To Cape Town and Back.  I am not proud of those maps that appear in his book as they are very clumsy.

             I would have never finished the book, like several others I have half done! So I am very pleased it has seen the light of day.

             Elizabeth gave me due credit in correspondence with her, but it is surely 99.99% her work. She has authored several other books. She used to be an OLSH, and has been visiting Tzaneen for many years to my knowledge. I commend her on the book.

            There are 74 MSC mentioned in that page and the following. I notice Russ Anderson and Joe Ensing do not get a mention there, as they spent shorter time in South Africa. Neither of course did travelling MSC such as Harry Jordan, and probably numerous others I do not know off*. For my 18 years I was mentioned 9 times! I am very pleased with that.

Other MSC  visitors I know of to have visited are Adrian Meaney, Brian Boyle, Brian Gallagher, Paul Duffy, Phil Malone, Peter Malone, Phil Hicks, Ben Fleming, John Walker. Frank Andersen. Alex O’Neill, a boy from Downlands, took part of his “ Schoolies week” with me in Tzaneen.

Both my brothers – Mick and Dom visited me there at different times for a month or so each, as did two nieces Angela and Leone  and one of their future husbands - Lee. An unknown but fascinating fact is that about the turn of the Century the Mayor of Brisbane went to South Africa and became the Mayor of Cape Town! A cousin of mine, Fr Lex Carroll  - one time professor of Scripture at Banyo seminary also migrated to SA after retirement and lived his final years with his sister Bernice there, and is buried there in the Jesuit section of the biggest Cemetery in Johannesburg.

The MSC Missions Office has supported, in my time, many projects in South Africa, usually of a water securing variety, as also regularly the Home for orphans in Ofcolaco, Limpopo Province - called holy Family Care centre. My last visit there in 2018 was with Sean from the Missions office.

It should be said that the OLSH sisters, whose feast day occurs in 2 weeks or less, have had daughters in Limpopo/Zimbabwe from Australia from the beginning in 1951. They are still there in the person of Sally Duigan, who is a long term combatant in that area.

Tzaneen diocese has one Martyr to its credit, educated by our MSC: Benedict Tshimagadzo (Wonder/ Miracle) Daswa – killed the day Mandela was released from Jail in 1992 for opposition to Witchcraft, which is common there.  Two MSC Bishops were ordained for Tzaneen – Hugh Slattery and John Durkin – they laid the foundations. Both Hugh and Mick Crowley (above) have visited Australia. Some MSC may have met our Irish MSC from SA on furlough in Ireland or on studies in Rome. Martin Morrissey – a giant of a man - who worked there most of his life is a cousin of our diminutive Harry Morrissey (RIP).

 Limpopo Province is the site of the dastardly deeds of Breaker Morant, who has been glorified in the movie of that name.  He was certainly not glorious. I used to run Mini-tours to visit the many skirmish sites there, and became something of a battle Field Buff in that land. Lovely People, beautiful landscape, horrible politics.

Many South Africans who have migrated to Australia find its all too tame here, and return.  The several young men we have at Downlands working in Dorms are quality class – having been brought up in a school of very hard knocks. It was an extraordinary privilege to work in South Africa, and I think I did my best Mission work there and enjoyed it the most of my life. Thee especially, and among other things,  I learn to sing and dance the Liturgy with joy and lengthily. I also learn the word and practise of Mutual Empowerment in mission work in a situation of dis-empowerment. The people prayed for the Power to be given them all the time.