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Canon Billy Wynne
Irish Times interview by Brendan Lynch
See also here.
FOR OVER 40,000 callers, the Irish Samaritans organisation last year represented a last-resort contact which saved a large number of lives of the lonely, the alienated and the suicidal.
"When I started in 1970, I was told there was little need here for anyone like the Samaritans!" recalls its Irish branch founder, the genial Canon Billy Wynne, Vicar of St. Ann's in Dawson Street, whose humanitarian work was recently acknowledged with one of the Rehabilitation Institute — New Ireland Assurance People of the Year Awards.
An unrepentant innovator who would have delighted Dean Swift, Canon Wynne is equally well known for his forthright views on what Christianity should be all about. He abhors "labels, blooming labels" and he told a recent radio chat-show audience that he regarded the Pope as a good Protestant — "in the original sense of the word" and himself as a Catholic, in the old sense of bearing witness.
* * *
BELIEVING THAT many churches are cold forbidding establishments, the Canon has developed St Ann's as closely as possible to his philosophy that:
"A church should be like 'a well-run hotel, a place where one can find intimacy, warmth and friendship. Were there more centres like this in the country, there would be less need for organisations like the Samaritans." he concludes.
A restless but relaxing figure, who observes the world through a continual haze of comforting pipe smoke. Billy Wynne was born in Navan in 1919. Following the death of his mother he went to work at the age of 15 at Drummond's Seed Shop in Dawson Street. Four years later he resumed full-time education, and, after graduating from TCD. he was ordained at St John the Baptists Church, Clontarf. Following a spell as curate at Holy Trinity Church, Rathmines, he served as rector in Delgany and Monkstown, before moving in 1979 to St Ann's, where, he says: "I now attempt to sow seeds not far from where I once sold them!"
Happily married with three sons, it was his strong belief in the practice of Christianity which led to the Canon's interest in the problems of the lonely and the unhappy.- "I had always thought that Christianity was about compassion, love and caring," he says, "and having met so many depressed and suicidal persons during my early church days, I often wondered what I .could do to help in a practical way.
"In 1959 a fellow-clergyman got into a bit of trouble and I wrote him a sympathetic letter, which was seen by Chad Varah, who had founded the Samaritans in London. He wrote to me and was wrong for clergy to get involved in such social work, while almost everyone said: 'Ah sure, there's no need for that sort of thing in Ireland at all!'
"However, I persisted. I spoke to ladies' and religious groups all over the country. People began to hear about me and I had interviews even in the Roman Catholic papers. All it took then was an appearance on the Gay Byrne Show and I was in business!
"I was overjoyed with the response, but it was a lot of responsibility and also very tiring. Once, for example, after a hectic week I left at five one morning for Tralee and then rushed back to attend a Dublin meeting. I remember sitting on the platform in front of hundreds of people as Archbishop Fisher began a lovely speech, which I never heard the end of as I fell fast asleep!
"ARCHBISHOP GEORGE Simms gave me great encouragement and it was he who suggested in 1969 that I should he directing my attentions more towards the laity. I then approaches Vincent Grogan, and he chaired a meeting at which we appointee a steering committee. No fewer than 600 attended our inaugural meeting at the RDS, which marked the opening on March 2nd 1970 of the Dublin branch of the Samaritans
"We started in temporary rent-free premises at 43 Kildare Street. with a limited service from 2.30 p m to 11.30 p.m. each day. As our volunteers grew in numbers and confidence we extended our times until, in November, we reached our goal of a full-manned 24-hour service, seven days a week.
"Now there are branches in Dublin. Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. The volunteers, each of whom undertakes a six-week training period, come from all walks of life. Their discretion, sympathy and ability to listen offers hope and confidence to hundreds of depressed persons each week. There is no preaching nor passing judgment, only listening.
"Listening to the callers certainly kills any judgmental attitudes one might have. You
quickly learn that these are people in dire need of immediate help and encouragement. And believe me it can be very rewarding, knowing that you are sharing their problems and possibly saving a unique human life. Anyone who has dealt with Samaritan cases can never be the same again.
"The problems range from acute depression and loneliness to alcoholism and drug addiction, marital difficulties and bereavement. As well as offering a ready ear. the Samaritans can also supply the addresses of organisations who may be able to help callers with specialized advice. There is no problem or crisis they
will refuse to discuss."
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NOW NO longer actively involved with the Irish Samaritan movement, Canon Wynne has proceeded to developing his own church into an extension of the Samaritan philosophy, a centre there people with problems can speak to a counsellor, or just relax, listen to music, read a book, have a snack, or pray if they are Christians.
A; St Ann's, we are providing a Samaritan contact between people, contact with the atmosphere of religion and spirituality and contact with an expert a person requires to deal with his or her own problems." he says.
Confessing to having been acutely depressed himself once or twice, the Dublin rector had his own tolerance stretched to the limit when his. brother was killed in the Woolwich bombing.
"I still haven't got over that," he admits. "The .sheer cruelty and waste of it all horrifies me. But in the end it only reinforced my belief in the importance of communication between people, individuals and governments.
"The big problem of our times is the lack of communication. If there were more contact and understanding between people, there would be less unhappiness, isolation and intolerance. If people could only stand back and let this side of their characters develop, our world would be such a safer and happier place. That's the sort of world I have tried in my small way to make ..."
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