All saints in a row

Walk through a remote corner of Manila and suddenly stand in front of a window face to face with a large number of statues representing the Lord Jesus and many acquaintances from his life. The whole thing comes across as rather kitschy and when I look at it I can't suppress a smile.

Apparently people saw that smile inside because suddenly a door opens and I receive the invitation to enter where I am more than welcomed by two priests.

It's all party inside because a huge image gallery and a large number of crucifixes caress my eye. Beautiful in ugliness. Be told that the gentlemen do not belong to the Roman Church but to the Orthodox secession. It's nice for an atheist to respectfully cross swords with two priests.

Who is the real God now? Jesus Christ, Allah, Buddha or perhaps someone from one of the many other religions. Or perhaps the phenomenon of God was created by humans? A good conversation ensues and almost unbelievably; we are in complete agreement on a number of points. You really don't have to have faith to know what is right and wrong and to go through life as a good person. Tell the two gentlemen that I am really jealous of them because they believe in an afterlife. But unfortunately I'm not that lucky to actually believe that. Wish the gentlemen politicians would also separate faith and national interest. Everyone may experience his or her religion in their own way, but try not to force it on those who think differently. Unfortunately, Christian parties often think otherwise.

After an hour I say goodbye with a firm handshake to the two priests with whom I had the opportunity to talk about various subjects in a pleasant way. Still make a critical remark: my namesake dear Joseph is missing from the image gallery. The horses that deserve the oats don't always get them. The best man - if I have to believe the story - did his best for his family as a carpenter.

I solemnly promise that on my next visit to Manila I will visit them and bring a statue of Joseph, because without him the collection in the Missionary House is really incomplete.