Local group makes journey to Belgium for plaque unveiling
A GROUP of 15 people from Shetland travelled to Belgium in early October to take part in the unveiling of a plaque honouring the man who became the first resident priest in Shetland since the Reformation.
The plaque honours Fr Theophilus Verstraeten, who came to Shetland in 1860 from Belgium to serve local and visiting Catholics. More information about his story can be found here.
It is said his arrival at that time was considered by some local people with suspicion, but the young man lived and worked among them in “love and service”.
When he died from smallpox ten years later the local Burgh Council recorded in their minutes “their desire to put on record their deep sense of the loss of one who during a residence of nearly ten years among a community of strict Protestants had not only lived down all religious prejudice but had personally won the respect and esteem of all classes by the unobtrusive discharge of his professional duties, and his amiable disposition”.
The parish church of St Margaret’s in Lerwick was built, 40 years later, on the foundation of the money he had collected.
And after the late Mike Loynd rediscovered Fr Verstraeten’s story during the centenary celebrations in 2011, there is now a plaque dedicated to him in St Margaret’s.
However, after more research, contact was made with Fr Verstraeten’s home town, who knew nothing of this young priest’s story.
As both folk in Belgium and Lerwick learned more about this young man, there came a desire to mark his life in some way, so money was raised in both countries for a marble plaque.
It was made in Bottelaere and put up in his local church of St Anne, unveiled on 6 October.
The Lerwick group said they stayed in the nearby medieval city of Ghent and had “ample opportunity to enjoy its historical architecture, canals and the wonderful 15th century Van Eyck Altarpiece”.
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On the Sunday of the unveiling the group said they were “thoroughly welcomed and looked after”.
A large choir, the local brass band, and the church organist had all prepared musical accompaniment, and members of St Margaret’s took part in the service, with translations provided where needed.
Pat Loynd and Lieve Orye unveiled the monument, and Fr Ambrose spoke and prayed a blessing.
After a reception and lunch, the rest of the day was spent with local people involved in the project, including a visit to the home and studio of local artist Irmine Remue along with a guided historical tour of the village.
As the chief of police there had taken an interest in the story, a celebratory evening meal was served up in the local police station.
A film had been made of the story and project and was shown before the meal.
Relationships were strengthened and new friendships made, and there will be return visits from Bottelaere to Shetland.
The Shetland group said Fr Verstraeten’s legacy is “one of connections between people, and what a difference love and charity and respect for each other make in connecting with and learning from others”.
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