Fr Chapman, A Man For Others

Fr Francis Chapman, born in Fremantle, Western Australia, in 1913, studied Theology in Ireland and was ordained there in 1937.  In 1938 he went with the first group of Columbans to Mindanao as pastor of Tangub, Misamis Occidental.  During the War years he stayed in the mountains with the people.  In 1950 he led the first group of Columbans to the southern part of Negros Occidental, an area that in 1988 became the Diocese of Kabankalan.

From 1954 Fr Frank worked in Australia and later served as Regional Director there.  He was a member of the General Council in Ireland from 1966 to 1970.  He then returned to Mindanao and did parish work in the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro.

Since 1984 he has worked at St Augustine’s Cathedral there.  Even with failing health, he still keeps up his priestly labors with great fidelity.  Though now living in the Columban house in the city, he still spends hours every day hearing confessions in the cathedral.  Turning 90 this July, Fr Chapman is the longest serving Columban in the Philippines.

Fr Chapman’s ministry has involved him in a special way with Men’s Catholic Action, the Legion of Mary, promotion of devotion to the Rosary, devoted care of the sick in hospitals and homes, and spiritual assistance to the wards of the Social Welfare Department and the Bureau of Jail and Management.

Wherever he has labored, the practice of prayer, especially the Rosary, has notably grown in families. Sacramental life and the works of mercy have flourished in communities and conversions have multiplied.

He has always shown gifts of leadership, never flinching from difficulties, ever cheerful and with a positive, proactive outlook in life. In every assignment, he has always given unsparingly of himself.

Recognizing the outstanding gift the Lord has given to the Filipino people, especially in Mindanao, in the person, life and ministry of a great priest, Ateneo University conferred the Bukas Palad award on Fr Chapman.

The award, formerly the Peypoch Award, honors Fr Manuel Peypoch, a Jesuit who arrived in the Philippines in 1907 and taught literature at Ateneo University for 17 years.  The memory of this humble and dedicated priest and the many men and women like him prompted Ateneo University to create and award in his honor.  Bukas Palad is intended to honor clergy and religious for their service to the Catholic Church and the Philippines.

Salamat sa Columban Mission