I am indeed their brother: loving & serving Allah’s poor, Fr. Bob McCahill, Gujarat Sahitya Prakash; Rs.150, pages 158

This is one of the most inspiring books I’ve read and it’s about a truly inspiring person: a US-born Catholic priest who has spent over 40 years tending to the indigent and sick in Bangladesh, where he continues to live, at the age of 81.

As recounted in this readable autobiography, Bob McCahill’s dreams as a child changed over the years. At one time he wanted to become a cartoonist, at another stage a pilot and still later an archaeologist. But at the age of 19, on October 31, 1956, he became divinely inspired, and at age 26 was ordained as a priest of the Maryknoll Mission Society of the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America. After serving in the Philippines for some years, he crossed the Indian ocean to continue his ministry in Bangladesh.

 Since 1976, Fr. Bob has been writing a common letter to his friends in the US and other countries always dated October 31, the day he received divine inspiration and lifelong motivation to do what he regarded as God’s will. This book is a collection of 42 of the October 31 letters he wrote between 1976-2017. The missives poignantly describe how inspired by Jesus Christ, Fr. Bob opted to lead a life of compassion and service to the marginalised and destitute among the Muslims of Bangladesh, whom he regards as “persons of faith, worthy of Christian respect and praise”.

During his dedicated ministry of over 40 years in Bangladesh, shifting from one small town to another and venturing deep into the countryside on his bicycle, Fr. Bob has lived among the poor, embracing a life of austere simplicity. His letters detail how he is on a continuous mission to make himself useful to the people he meets, befriending them, sharing their joys and sorrows and looking to bring a smile to their faces, while helping them access public medical services, in particular.

In his correspondence Fr. Bob provides useful insights that can help us elevate our own lives more meaningfully. Merely preaching the virtues of one’s faith is one thing, but living and practising them is quite another. Moreover one can’t grow spiritually without love and empathy for the poor and distressed. His spartan lifestyle and voluntary poverty, emulating that of the people among whom he lives, is another great life lesson.

I Am Indeed is a valuable primer for the faithful of all religions to learn the basic dialogue and discourse of true religion — lessons urgently needed in this country which is experiencing sharp religious divides and polarisation fanned by hindutva and Muslim extremists. Fr. Bob’s book of letters provides wonderful examples of how religious pluralism can fuel the engines of our own inner growth. There is much to be gained through interacting and learning from people of diverse religious backgrounds. Contrary to stereotypical perceptions about Christian missionaries, Fr. Bob doesn’t seek to convert people among whom he lives, to Christianity. He is content to re-live the life and testament of Jesus among the poor and the sick, including those outside his flock, while at the same time learning to appreciate the goodness in other faiths. 

This book — outpourings from the heart of an individual of extraordinary compassion and faith — is a treasure, disseminating valuable lessons in practical living for individuals as well as communities. In particular, Muslims and Christians, who have to learn to live together harmoniously, for their own good and for the good of the rest of God’s creations.

Roshan Shah