INTERVIEW WITH FR PATRICK SUMMERS
Fr Patrick Summers was made the new District Superior of Asia this last August. He is replacing Fr Karl Stehlin who had been the Superior here for 4 years already. Fr Stehlin was sent back to Poland/Eastern Europe to be District Superior where he previously worked for 20 years.
The Apostle Magazine had the opportunity to interview him.
Apostle: Welcome to the District of Asia! Or should I say, “Welcome Back!”
Fr Summers: Yes, thank you. It is true that I have already worked in this great district under the legendary Fr Daniel Couture. I was stationed in India for three years but I had also visited Sri Lanka, Manila and Singapore.
Apostle: Were you surprised to be given this new assignment?
Fr Summers: I think it was one of the few times in my life I was at a loss for words! I have been stationed outside of my home country for 13 years and I finally was back in the “Land of the Free” as Prior at Immaculate Conception Church in northern Idaho this last year. I was just getting comfortable being an American in America and then I received the phone call during the General Chapter to go abroad again.
Apostle: Do you think much has changed in the District of Asia since you have been away the last 12 years?
Fr Summers: I think that question has many answers on many levels. The short answer is, “Yes, the apostolate of the SSPX has developed, there are more churches, more priests, more vocations and more faithful than when I left.” However, I am sure a decent-sized book could be written about all the challenges, opportunities and difficulties that go on behind the scenes.
Apostle: You have been here already several months and have been travelling quite extensively. How do you find that aspect of your new responsibility?
Fr Summers: The travel we do by every possible means (bus, taxi, rickshaw, plane, and more) is the best way for a superior to see his priests and his district.
This district is in many ways unique in the SSPX…it is much easier for the superior to see his priests in action than to ask them to fly separately to the District HQ in Singapore. Geographically it is a district that has many places, many cultures, many people, and many time zones! The travel is not always a bad thing…oftentimes you can get a much better understanding of the apostolate by “getting your hands dirty” and working alongside your fellow priests than by reading an official report sitting at a desk.
Apostle: You don’t like paperwork and reports?
Fr Summers: No sane person would “like” paperwork…although it is a necessary and helpful tool for the administration of a district.
Apostle: You are coming into a position that has had only two previous incumbants, i.e, Fr Daniel Couture and Fr Karl Stehlin. Fr Couture spent 18 years as Superior and Fr Stehlin had four good years. Do you have plans to change the course/direction that has previously been set?
Fr Summers: I think it would be most foolish to overlook the good work of those two legendary priests and desire to change everything. This first year will be spent getting to know the District administration, the priests and religious, and the numerous faithful. Hopefully by next summertime I will have a better grasp of the strengths and weaknesses of this vast district.
Apostle: What do you see as your main duties as District Superior?
Fr Summers: The Rule of our dear little SSPX makes clear that the duty of the District Superior is to put to good use the talents and zeal of his fellow priests to achieve the goals of the SSPX. It also mentions that he is held responsible to the Superior General for the wise administration of his district on the spiritual, pastoral and material levels.
Apostle: You don’t mention your responsibilities over the churches and chapels in the district?
Fr Summers: Normally these are the responsibilities of the Priors in each place. I would only get involved when they ask for my help or to counsel them when they need. I have a clear duty to take care of the priests placed in my care by Providence, to make sure they are making every effort to carry out their duties of state and are following the example of the Our Lord the eternal high priest.
Apostle: Any final words for our readers?
Fr Summers: Perhaps the generous readers of this great magazine will keep our work in their daily prayers. As Fr Couture and Fr Stehlin have already put the District of Asia under the Patronage of the Most Blessed Virgin, I can only ask good souls to remember us at their daily Rosary…for all the graces of God will surely come through His Immaculate Mother.
Apostle: Thank you for your time
Fr Patrick Summers was made the new District Superior of Asia this last August. He is replacing Fr Karl Stehlin who had been the Superior here for 4 years already. Fr Stehlin was sent back to Poland/Eastern Europe to be District Superior where he previously worked for 20 years.
The Apostle Magazine had the opportunity to interview him.
Apostle: Welcome to the District of Asia! Or should I say, “Welcome Back!”
Fr Summers: Yes, thank you. It is true that I have already worked in this great district under the legendary Fr Daniel Couture. I was stationed in India for three years but I had also visited Sri Lanka, Manila and Singapore.
Apostle: Were you surprised to be given this new assignment?
Fr Summers: I think it was one of the few times in my life I was at a loss for words! I have been stationed outside of my home country for 13 years and I finally was back in the “Land of the Free” as Prior at Immaculate Conception Church in northern Idaho this last year. I was just getting comfortable being an American in America and then I received the phone call during the General Chapter to go abroad again.
Apostle: Do you think much has changed in the District of Asia since you have been away the last 12 years?
Fr Summers: I think that question has many answers on many levels. The short answer is, “Yes, the apostolate of the SSPX has developed, there are more churches, more priests, more vocations and more faithful than when I left.” However, I am sure a decent-sized book could be written about all the challenges, opportunities and difficulties that go on behind the scenes.
Apostle: You have been here already several months and have been travelling quite extensively. How do you find that aspect of your new responsibility?
Fr Summers: The travel we do by every possible means (bus, taxi, rickshaw, plane, and more) is the best way for a superior to see his priests and his district.
This district is in many ways unique in the SSPX…it is much easier for the superior to see his priests in action than to ask them to fly separately to the District HQ in Singapore. Geographically it is a district that has many places, many cultures, many people, and many time zones! The travel is not always a bad thing…oftentimes you can get a much better understanding of the apostolate by “getting your hands dirty” and working alongside your fellow priests than by reading an official report sitting at a desk.
Apostle: You don’t like paperwork and reports?
Fr Summers: No sane person would “like” paperwork…although it is a necessary and helpful tool for the administration of a district.
Apostle: You are coming into a position that has had only two previous incumbants, i.e, Fr Daniel Couture and Fr Karl Stehlin. Fr Couture spent 18 years as Superior and Fr Stehlin had four good years. Do you have plans to change the course/direction that has previously been set?
Fr Summers: I think it would be most foolish to overlook the good work of those two legendary priests and desire to change everything. This first year will be spent getting to know the District administration, the priests and religious, and the numerous faithful. Hopefully by next summertime I will have a better grasp of the strengths and weaknesses of this vast district.
Apostle: What do you see as your main duties as District Superior?
Fr Summers: The Rule of our dear little SSPX makes clear that the duty of the District Superior is to put to good use the talents and zeal of his fellow priests to achieve the goals of the SSPX. It also mentions that he is held responsible to the Superior General for the wise administration of his district on the spiritual, pastoral and material levels.
Apostle: You don’t mention your responsibilities over the churches and chapels in the district?
Fr Summers: Normally these are the responsibilities of the Priors in each place. I would only get involved when they ask for my help or to counsel them when they need. I have a clear duty to take care of the priests placed in my care by Providence, to make sure they are making every effort to carry out their duties of state and are following the example of the Our Lord the eternal high priest.
Apostle: Any final words for our readers?
Fr Summers: Perhaps the generous readers of this great magazine will keep our work in their daily prayers. As Fr Couture and Fr Stehlin have already put the District of Asia under the Patronage of the Most Blessed Virgin, I can only ask good souls to remember us at their daily Rosary…for all the graces of God will surely come through His Immaculate Mother.
Apostle: Thank you for your time