By Fr. Billy Morell, OMI

Fr. Daniel Renaud has been a member of the USP province for seven years. He joined this province from Notre-Dame-du-Cap Province in Canada.  On November 18^th he became a citizen of both countries.  He was sworn in as a US citizen in a small ceremony in San Antonio with about thirty other new US Citizens.  

As I watched my brother, Daniel, stand and raise his right hand I thought, it is worth noting that Daniel, in his seemingly simple act, is giving witness to what missionaries do… enter the realm of division and dispute as ministers of unity, truth, dialogue, reconciliation and resilience… Here is a man swearing allegiance to a country divided … deeply, darkly, and clearly divided.  Here is an Oblate choosing to become a citizen of a country whose unity, common purpose, is split a part… whose self-understanding, direction is so obviously disputed.  He is pledging loyalty at the very time the meaning of loyalty is disputed among many across the country.