Guatemalan President Oscar Berger pins the Order of the Quetzal on Msgr. Greg Schaffer, a CFCA board member.

Msgr. Gregory Schaffer, a CFCA board member, has received the Order of the Quetzal, Guatemala’s highest civil honor, for his 44 years of service and commitment to the people of San Lucas Toliman. Guatemalan President Oscar Berger presented the award to Msgr. Schaffer at a ceremony on Oct. 13 at San Lucas Church where Msgr. Schaffer serves as pastor.

President Berger thanked Msgr. Schaffer for his humanitarian efforts on behalf of the poorest in the region.

“This award is basically a celebration of lots of people working together for the good of these people,” said Msgr. Schaffer.

The Order of the Quetzal was established to recognize the merits of those who have rendered distinguished service to strengthen the friendship, harmony and goodwill between Guatemala and other countries. The award is bestowed on people who have consecrated their life toward the advancement of humanity.

Thousands of parishioners and residents of San Lucas and surrounding areas flooded the church atrium and spilled onto the street to witness the ceremony. Following the award ceremony, Msgr. Gonzalo De Villa, archbishop of the state of Sololá, said Mass.

In Kansas City, CFCA President Bob Hentzen praised Msgr. Schaffer’s work.

“The community has so been impacted by the presence, humanity and theology of Father Greg,” said Hentzen.

“The Quetzal bird represents the freedom of the human spirit,” he continued. “If you catch it and put it in a cage, it will die. It’s about freedom. That’s what CFCA is about.”

A short stay becomes a lifetime

Msgr. Schaffer arrived in San Lucas Toliman 44 years ago from the Diocese of New Ulm, Minn. The diocese began working in San Lucas in 1962 in response to Latin American bishops’ requests for help during Vatican II.

“I was supposed to stay for five years,” said Msgr. Schaffer.

San Lucas was an impoverished town with homes made from corn stalks, one school, limited roads, no electricity or water. Only 2.5 percent of residents were literate.

“The only health care available was through a resident who made home remedies, like a local pharmacist,” Msgr. Schaffer said.

Over the years, Msgr. Schaffer cooperated with the community and with outside organizations, such as CFCA and Notre Dame University, to improve living conditions and services. He raised money to buy plantation land that now comprises the communities of Santo Tomas, Totolya, El Porvenir and Tierra Santa. Today, Msgr. Schaffer’s parish serves about 40,000 people in 22 communities. The literacy rate is 85 percent.