I’m sure many readers have already read the reporting of the murder of an American Priest here in Guatemala.  Apparently he was originally from Milwaukee and had been here doing mission work for 10 years.

No doubt the story will get a great deal of coverage in the US and generate headlines around the world, adding in the worst possible way to the already deteriorating image of Guatemala in the first world.  Of course, any death is tragic but this story bothers me, and not in the way you might imagine.

First, violent crime against foreigners is a relatively rare thing here.  Further, although I can’t support this with any data, my belief is the overwhelming majority of violent crimes here are associated with narco-trafficking, gang activities or neighborhood lynch mobs.  A human life is a life and a death is a death of course, but I think it’s fair to say if you avoid associating with these activities and stay away from areas where these things are common, your odds of meeting a violent end are greatly reduced.

Second, I found it unusual that the robbers felt it necessary to open fire on the vehicle in order to rob them.  We will likely never know the exact circumstances of the event, so it’s hard to speculate, but if you told me that four missionaries were robbed, I would think nothing of it.  However, if you told me that robbers killed 1 of 4 missionaries and stole their money, I instantly think something else is going on.

As I’ve read some more about Father Lawrence Rosebaugh, the picture grows more interesting.  He developed quite a reputation by working in Brazil in the 1970s, at one point even serving time in prison for his work with the poor there.  Before that, he gained fame as one of the ‘Milwaukee 14′, for breaking into a Selective Service office, stealing service records and burning them.  He was convicted and served a year in jail.

A decade later he infiltrated a training camp for Salvadoran soldiers run by the U.S. Army and broadcast anti-war homilies by Archbishop Oscar Romero (who had been asassinated the year before).  That earned him another 18 months in jail.

In short, the man appears to have had quite the dedication to ‘justice’ and didn’t mind confrontations with authority or breaking the law to advance his agenda.  Perhaps doing Baptisms, hearing Confessions and offering Mass weren’t satisfying.  Anyway, he wasn’t your typical parish Priest.

I’ve known a number of missionary type workers in my life and more than a few have had a righteous streak.  It takes a certain kind of person to go to a strange land and deal with difficult conditions and spread the Gospel.  Under the circumstances and confident in the knowledge that you are doing God’s will, it’s easy to lose perspective and develop a ‘bunker’ mentality, growing defensive at anyone who is critical or rejects your mission.

Father may have been the most humble and modest of men, I don’t know.  However, it is not out of the realm of possibility than in his work in rural Guatemala he might have stepped on a few toes, perhaps even those accustomed to settling disputes with force.  This isn’t Milwaukee, after all.

I raise this question because it seems so odd to me that the other 3 missionaries weren’t killed.  Why leave witnesses?  Is it a coincidence that a man known for confronting authority in the US and in Brazil would be the victim of this crime, but not his (presumably) lesser-known companions?  Had Father refused to pay off the right people, and like a bus driver in Guatemala City, paid the consequences?

We’ll probably never know the truth about what happened, but I know many of my regular readers are contemplating a visit or relocation here and can’t help but be alarmed by these headlines.  Every development warrants some consideration, and certainly prudence and caution.   However, around Antigua you’re more likely to twist an ankle on those damn beautiful cobblestones than confront an armed assailant.

If I get more details about this tragic story, I’ll pass them along.  In the meantime, like my new friends from Mississippi who are visiting here for a week, come and enjoy this wonderful country during the low season when it’s quiet and prices are low!