Dedication Remarks: Dr Ronald Massanri

[This is the complete text of Dr. Massanari's remarks at the dedication. We are grateful to him for allowing us the edifcation of his speech.]



Dr. Ronald L. Massanari
Professor Emeritus, Department of Religious Studies
Alma College, Alma, MI 48801
May 16, 2009


To all friends of Bishop Makarios, greetings:

For some twenty-five years, Alma College was graced by the quite visible presence of Bishop Makarios. After the Bishop’s tragic death, the College decided that, in addition to establishing a scholarship in his name, it would commission a commemorative sculpture for the Bishop. Therefore, after preliminary discussions during the summer, on a bright sunny day Carrie Parks-Kirby from the Art Department, Renu Paul the Bishop’s assistant, President Tracy, and I went on an adventure to find a sculptor who could bring into form something of our memories of the spirit and meaning of Bishop Makarios. What became evident was that we needed to put this spirit and meaning of the Bishop into words so an artist could give shape and form to these memories.

As we talked about how to give voice to these memories, we decided that a more symbolic representation of those attributes characterizing the life and spirit of the Bishop would be more appropriate than a literal presentation of the Bishop. We acknowledged that his flowing red robes, snowy white beard, and monastic head covering were a significant part of our memories of the Bishop, but we wanted something more than the obvious. We concluded that a figurative and more symbolic representation would allow each of us to engage the sculpture in our own ways, depending on how we knew and experienced the Bishop. As we told stories about and reflected on experiences with the Bishop, especially related to the fact that he was an effective educator, spiritual mentor and leader, confidant and friend, and a genuine and influential presence in the lives of so many of us, these attributes surfaced: (1) his compassion and empathy that was manifest in his embracing and accepting personality, (2) his openness to and understanding of differing perspectives and positions that was evident in his encompassing vision of reality, (3) his embodied spiritual presence that informed a profoundly pastoral life style, and (4) his contemplative approach to life and living where all meaningful things were sacred and a mystery.

What resulted from this process with the sculptor Mark Chatterley is an art work that gives shape and form to these attributes in a way that opens up the spirit and meaning of the Bishop that engages each of us. For example, the primary figure is linked to diverse figures presented in similar form indicating an embracing presence and communal interrelationship. The spiritual or vertical dimension is intriguingly balanced with the natural or horizontal dimension in a way revealing that all is sacred.

For me the sculpture stimulates memories of a colleague in the Religious Studies Department who engaged students and his colleagues in effective and influential ways because he cared deeply for others and their struggles to make sense of life and living. On an even more personal note, the sculpture activates memories of the Bishop as a member of our family and the fact that our children had the unique opportunity of growing up with the Bishop frequently in our home. During our many discussions around a table of extra spicy food, we witnessed a compassionate understanding in his approach to questions of life and living. He would often remind us that while some things could be explained, the realm of meaning and purpose was ultimately a mystery. He was a dear friend and spiritual mentor for our family. These and many other experiences with the Bishop determine how I see and engage this sculpture.

We tried to articulate those attributes that not only characterized the Bishop but would allow different people to encounter this sculpture and relate it to their own experiences, even if they did not know the Bishop. Mark Chatterley’s sculpture in memory of Bishop Makarios not only embodies and informs these attributes but with creative imagination presents a symbolic representation of the spirit and meaning of the Bishop. While we genuinely miss his actual presence, through our engagement with this sculpture, Bishop Makarios continues to be present with us at Alma College.











[after this, the dedication program was ended with a benediction from Baptist minister, Rev. Jesse Perry - photo by Teresa Paprock]