LIVING THE GOOD NEWS IN OCOA

The Dominican Republic Senate declares Scarboro missioner Fr. Louis Quinn "Protector of Ocoa"

March 2003

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Motivated by the Gospel and its unwavering message of hope, love, peace and justice, Scarboro missioner Fr. Lou Quinn says, "Christ has promised a full life to all people. You should not be celebrating Eucharist unless you are sharing with other people and trying to bring about that possibility of a full life and a better life for all. The Good News is not just a said word. It has to be a lived word."

In November 2002, the Dominican Republic Senate approved a resolution declaring Fr. Lou Quinn, Father Protector of the newly-created Province of San Josée Ocoa. Immediately after, Congress dispatched a commission of senators to Ocoa to deliver the recognition in person. Twenty-four senators made the two-hour journey from the capital, Santo Domingo, and assembled in the small rectory where Fr. Quinn lives in the town of Ocoa. It was an incredible honour for this humble, dedicated pastor.

The Senate resolution recognizes the example and unceasing labour of a citizen who, though not born a Dominican, has given his life to the nation.

Fr. Quinn has served in the Dominican Republic since 1953, with 37 of those years in San Josée Ocoa. He continues to live and work among the people of Ocoa, people who know incredible hardship and who struggle for a decent life. Padre Luis, as he is affectionately known, walks with them, providing pastoral care and promoting community education and projects that help the people to better their lives.

The Dominican Senate motion considers the biblical precept "faith without works is dead" in recognizing the prophetic vision and the social and educational work of Fr. Quinn, channeled through Ocoa's community-run development organization, ADESJO.

Scarboro missioners, together with the local people, established this organization in Ocoa in 1963. Today, ADESJO continues to unite communities, working together to achieve success in literacy programs, skills training, health care, reforestation programs, solar energy projects, the eradication of child labour, and the building of clinics, schools, community centres, rural aqueducts, and roads.

The Dominican Senate recognition is the most recent in a long line of awards that Fr. Quinn has received from the Dominican and Canadian governments (including the Order of Canada) and from private institutions. Fr. Quinn's life and work are also featured at the Canada and the World pavilion in Ottawa, which celebrates the achievements of Canadians in the global community.

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