Fr. Cathal Butler C.P., R.I.P.

On Monday morning, 22nd August 2005 Fr. Cathal Butler passed to his reward in Our Lady's Hospice, Harold's Cross Dublin. He received Holy Communion on Sunday but his condition deteriorated and he died peacefully in the company of his family. A year previously he suddenly become ill and was diagnosed with cancer. He responded well to treatment and the prognosis was hopeful. Then in May of 2005 he became unwell when the cancer broke out in his brain. In August he was admitted to the Hospice.

Born Brendan Butler on April 6th, 1935 in Dublin he was the youngest of five children. He joined the Passionists at The Graan, Enniskillen, and was professed on July 16th 1958. He completed his priestly studies in St. Michael's Retreat, Dankeith and at St. Paul's Retreat, Mount Argus. After Ordination on December 21st 1963 he was appointed to Rome to study Canon Law. Then in November 1966 Fr. Cathal arrived in Botswana where he was to spend the rest of his priestly life.

The introduction to Missionary life was for new arrivals to 'fill in' for priests going home on holiday. Thus in his first year Cathal worked in Serowe and Francestown. Later he moved to Ramotswa to study the language under Fr. Terence. Over the next three years he worked in Palapye, Lobatse, Ramotswa and Morwa. In the Seventies he spent five years in both Lobatse and Mochudi. Cathal came home for holidays in 1982 and on his return was asked to start a new mission at Jwaneng.

After Independence in 1966, the growth and development of Botswana was fuelled by the discovery of diamonds in Orapa in 1967. In the seventies further diamonds were found near the desert village of Jwana, meaning 'small stones', 200 kilometres from Gaborone. This site was developed and Jwaneng mine and town were founded. The mining and construction brought workers and their families, who needed houses. Facilities followed - shops, schools, and hospitals, so Jwaneng grew. Then in 1983 Fr. Cathal took up residence in a caravan. He made contact with the Catholic workers and their families from the various towns and villages of Botswana as well as from South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Ghana, Nigeria, India and Zimbabwe. Cathal celebrated Sunday mass for his growing multicultural congregation. By 1986 he and the parishioners had built a priest's house and plans were made for a Church with Community Hall. The Church was finished and officially opened in August 1987. It was named 'Lapa La Lerato', meaning 'Family of Love'. The Building is triangular in shape with the apex of the triangle forming the altar area. Sliding doors divide the church to form the community hall. Parish functions were held in the hall, which was also rented out to generate income for the Church.

From 1983, while looking after Jwaneng, Cathal was also involved in the Marriage Tribunal and used his house as the tribunal office for many years. Cathal was a very private person and for most of his life he lived alone - a rather lonely life. He loved to have people visit, as he was a marvellous host. He in turn visited his fellow priests as often as he could and loved a game of cards on a Sunday night at Kgale or elsewhere.

Cathal had a deep sense of mission, and left behind in Jwaneng a vibrant, thriving church, a fitting testament to his missionary and apostolic zeal.

Cathal was also a very compassionate man who was devoted to the poor and the sick. It has often been said that he would not let his left hand know what his right hand was doing, and few knew of his works of charity, whether providing food and clothing or paying school fees. He was especially devoted to the sick and any person in hospital, no matter what the distance, was sure of a visit.

The funeral of Fr. Cathal took place on Wednesday 24th August in St. Paul's Church, Mount Argus and he was laid to rest in the adjoining Passionist Community Cemetery. May his gentle and gracious soul rest in the peace of the Lord.