The Catholic Weekly 19 July 2020

catholicweekly.com.au 13 19, July, 2020 In brief Actor sticks to his guns Photo man sues Protest in Jerusalem HOLLYWOOD ACTOR Terry Crews has called for unity amid heat- ed race hostilities in the US. Crews, who is a black American, posted to Twit- ter “If you are a child of God, you are my broth- er and sister. I have fami- ly of every race, creed and ideology. We must ensure #blacklivesmatter doesn’t morph into #blacklives- better.” Crew faced a back- lash over the remarks, but refused to back down. CHRIS HERRING, a Christian photographer in the US state of Vir- ginia, has filed a lawsuit against the state over a law which would require him to photograph same- sex weddings or risk a US$72,000 fine. The en- trepreneur “faces an im- possible choice: violate the lawand risk bankrupt- cy, promote views against his faith, or close down,” said his lawyers. “And this was exactly what Virginia officials wanted for those who hold Chris’ religious beliefs about marriage.” THE “STATUS quo” that allows for peaceful coex- istence among religious groups in Jerusalem’s Old City is being threatened, the Christian patriarchs of Jerusalem have warned, citing a campaign by radi- cal Jewishgroups tobuyup real estate in traditionally Christian neighborhoods. The Church leaders’ pro- test—signed by 13 Chris- tian leaders—responds to a court ruling that allowed a sale of property belong- ing to the Greek Orthodox patriarchate. - CNA US actor Terry Crews marshalling other prisoners in the faith. “He said being in prison had brought him clos- er and closer to Jesus,” said Kazlas. “He led almost a mo- nastic life in his cell.” Prison staff and volunteers noticed the change and en- trusted Elkins with more and more. He tended to the prison altar, but also to the men. He’d tell Kazlas if an inmate was having trouble or need- ed a Bible or a rosary. Elkins made sure there were Span- ish hymns at Mass since some Catholic inmates are native Spanish speakers. “He took care of the men almost like a deacon or priest would,” Kazlas said. “He was very unselfish in the way he looked out for their well be- ing.” If a new inmate or visitor came onto the cell block, it was Elkins who introduced himself and extended a warm welcome. He treated people like he was their loving big brother, Kazlas explained. Elkins was generous, tith- ing at St Joseph Parish in Sa- lem even while behind bars and giving a donation to set up a prison ministry at the parish. He paid for a large crucifix in the prison chapel, but let other inmates help choose it. He was a regular in the prison leather shop. Among his works was a briefcase for Catholic prison volun- teer Dennis Lulay and a sign showing Jesus behind bars, a piece now hanging in the Archdiocese of Portland pris- on ministry office. Elkins also made leather key fobs for seminarians who did pastoral placements at the prison. The fobs read: “Stolen from Oregon State Penitentia- ry.” John Hoffmeister, another Catholic volunteer, said El- kins’ story proves the point that most inmates are people with good hearts who made grave mistakes. God loves them and calls on them no less, said Hoffmeister. “He showed the men what being a Christian is about,” Hoffmeister said. “It’s a wonderful story of redemption,” said Portland Archbishop Alexander Sam- ple, who met with Elkins dur- ing prison visits and later after the sentence was served. “A person can go down the wrong path in life and then have a profound change of heart and a conversion and become a very holy person.” The archbishop, like most prison ministers, never asked what crimes Elkins had com- mitted. “God is merciful and loving and understanding with us and offers that opportunity for repentance and conversion,” the archbishop said. “I saw that in Hal.” Archbishop Sample de- scribed Elkins as kind, gentle, joyful and faithful. Once out of prison, Elkins landed work right away with an Albany, Oregon, company that produces gel for fighting fires. “He held no bitterness in his heart, which allowed him to have such peace and joy when he was freed,” Deacon Vandecoevering said. The peace remained even with a fatal diagnosis. A week before he died, Elkins told Kazlas, “I am ready to meet Jesus.” After he left prison, Elkins moved in with his sister Jeri Down-Jones of Salem. The two had spoken each week since Elkins was arrested. “Faith is the thing that car- ried him through,” saidDown- Jones, who herself became Catholic in 2009. “Any time I had a question about faith, I asked him. He was my source and my rock.” Down-Jones said that a “stupid five minutes” defined Elkins for the rest of his life. But her brother later worked hard to be a good man. “When he was dying, he told me something,” said Down-Jones, weeping at the memory. “He said when he gets to heaven, he is going to prepare the altar every Sun- day for God.” - CNS Langlois is managing editor of the Catholic Sentinel, newspaper of the Archdio- cese of Portland. A key fob that Hal Elkins made for seminarians who did field education at Oregon State Peniten- tiary. PHOTO: CNS/COURTESY LAURA KAZLAS He regretted his crime. He did feel Christ’s forgiveness eventually. It was a long road for him to get there ... in prison he carried the burden of a serious felony on one’s conscience.” Hal Elkins smiles as he walks out of the Oregon State Penitentiary in 2018. He died of cancer nine months after being released. PHOTO: CNS/COURTESY JERI DOWN-JONES . FEATURE