Oblate played key role in reconciliation: U.S. priest drew on basketball, teatime in Tissa negotiations

National Catholic Reporter, Feb 20, 1998 by Pamela Schaeffer

"There wasn't necessarily concurrence, but we listened. Then, having been heard, he was open to reconciling," Singer said. He added, "I really think that's one of the main learnings of this, that conversation really means listening.

"Tissa is trying to inculturate theology in Asia," he said. "That's a challenge -- a good challenge. He realizes there were serious ambiguities, that doctrinal errors were perceived. ... He was quite humble and modest and cooperative. At times it was very difficult for him because he has strong convictions, but he was willing to negotiate and accommodate in the best sense of that world."

Midway through the six days, the Oblates took an afternoon off for private and shared prayer -- then tea, Singer said. "Things seemed to go much better after that," although up to the very last, he said, "I wasn't sure we could get it done."

As the deadline loomed, there were still some "delicate points" to be hammered out, he said. While Singer wouldn't be specific, he did say that he expects Balasuriya's troubles, and the resolution, to become fodder for future church historians eager to compare the theologian's writings with his reconciliation statement and the Paul VI profession of faith. "I understand some dissertations are already being written on it," he said.

Meanwhile Singer knows he has earned his stripes as a negotiator. "It was an experience of a lifetime, a moment of grace," he said.