Son of Detective Steven McDonald, the Hero of Forgiveness, Joins New York Police

Since the shooting Steven proclaims to anyone who will listen that forgiveness is the only path to peace. And they do listen. When Steven speaks, you listen closely,both because he has a tracheotomy tube and speaks in a whisper and because every word is filled with love.Conor said of his father, "Every single day he has to go through such hardship.' He said it was the "lessons he's learned from his father that made him want to be a police officer".

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P>NEW YORK, NY (Catholic Online) - In 1999 I was a part of a mission team to Northern Ireland called "Project Reconciliation." Catholic Lawyer and friend Dennis Lynch invited me to be a part of the experience. This peace mission was led by a modern hero and saint, Detective Steven McDonald.  Steven's story should be required reading for anyone who wants to learn how to live the Gospel message of forgiveness in an age which has lost its soul.  

In 1986, a police officer with a promising career ahead of him, Steven helped to interrupt a robbery already in progress. He was shot at point blank range by a young assailant, rendered quadriplegic and left in a coma. During his recovery, while he struggled with the understandable rage, anger and profound depression that often accompany such injury; the Lord visited with Steven and told him that forgiveness was the only path to peace.

Detective McDonald's beautiful wife, Patti Ann, was carrying their first child, a son whom they named Conor.  Though faithful Catholics, they never imagined that their faith would be tested by the fire that came upon them on that violent day. But, like all saints and heroes, the fire itself forged them into the gold of heaven on earth.

Since the shooting, Steven has been an instrument of peace like Francis of Assisi. He proclaims to anyone who will listen - from the weakest to the most powerful - that forgiveness is the only path to peace. And they do listen. When Steven speaks, you listen closely, both because he has a tracheotomy tube and speaks in a whisper and because every word is filled with love.

Steven doesn't have to use words; he has eyes that radiate the peace that fills his weakened body; a peace which comes from a deep relationship with the Giver of True Peace, the Lord Jesus Christ, lived within the Catholic Church which is His Body. Just his presence with his loving wife and son by his side spoke volumes to me about the mystery and beauty of forgiveness and love during that entire trip to Ireland.

Steven says he began to learn the truth of the message himself when the Lord who had visited his bed asked him to first forgive the young man who had shot him. He did so out of obedience at first, but he found a joy unspeakable-an enemy became a friend. Since that day, Steven has been a peacemaker and has experienced the blessing promised to those who accept the invitation.

The whole McDonald family reached out to this young man and he became a friend of the family-until he himself was taken by a senseless act of street violence. So they continue their campaign for peace through forgiveness, traversing the globe with missionary zeal. They, like others who have trodden this path, have gathered friends around them whom they have deeply touched by their genuine Christian witness.

The mission team consisted of Catholics, Protestants and members of the Bruderhoff community whose leaders had found solidarity with Steven's message of peace. The week came on the heels of the Good Friday accords and included moments that I will never forget. I saw in the streets of Belfast, in the bombed out buildings, the physical manifestation of the brokenness of the Body of Christ.

I came home to America with an even keener commitment to help heal the wounds in the Body of Christ. I saw that what was visible in the bombed out buildings in the North of Ireland is hidden in the hearts of Christians in America who still sin against the Body of Christ by harboring hate and wounding one another with words.

I regret that as the years have raced by I have lost touch with Steven McDonald, his family, mission and message. However, I still speak of the life changing encounter. I know I met a saint and I am grateful. Today a friend in New York sent me a wonderful news report which I am happy to share with our readers. That young boy named Conor, whom his mother and father loved so dearly, the one whose joyful spirit brought me such happiness in 1999, has joined the Police Force which his father served with such heroic distinction. He is 23 years old!

In a ceremony which included Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, Conor McDonald took the oath his father lives with such heroism. He told Channel Two's Magee Hickey, that he was inspired by his father's heroic life and the wonderful support the family has received from the City they love. Conor said of his father, "Every single day he has to go through such hardship. Not one day has he badmouthed the police department, he loves it to death. He wouldn't change it for the world." He said it was the "lessons he's learned from his father - forgiveness, particularly - that made him want to be a police officer".

Steven spoke of concerns for his son's safety and evidenced the enduring love for his wife which is the heart of their marriage, "I don't want her to be hurt any more. We have to trust in God and Conor that it'll all work out." Patti Ann, selfless wife and mother, added  "Obviously the past 24 years have been hard living in the condition Steven's been in, but we support Conor 100 percent."

The news brought back a flood of memories of that trip to Ireland and the encounter I had with Steven, Patti Ann and Conor McDonald. It called me back to the important message which I need to learn all over again, that the path to true peace walks through forgiveness. This Catholic family, living the vocation of the Domestic Church in an age so desperately lost, invites us all to follow in their mission of forgiveness. They have lived at the foot of the Cross which brings heaven to earth and earth to heaven and now show us the path to peace. 

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