Cullen Still Pushes Peace
By Carrie Trousil
 

Almost four decades after being deported for his protests against the Vietnam War, Irish-born Michael Cullen was back. The unassuming, yet still fiery, activist was feted last October for his contributions to the civil rights movement and for his lifelong commitment to helping the less fortunate.

"I am more than honored -- surprised actually," he said humbly, while accepting his award in a ceremony at America's Black Holocaust Museum. The facility is a tribute to African Americans and others who suffered, and sometimes died, because of racial hatred.

The award was given during the premiere event in a four-day "Dialogue on African and Celtic Spirituality," after a luncheon and panel discussion of the parallels between the civil rights movements in America and Northern Ireland. Cullen ought not to have been surprised at the award, since he has long been an advocate of justice and religious tolerance both Stateside and in Ireland.

Cullen and his wife, Annette, lived in Milwaukee during the turbulent 1960s. "That put us right in the middle of the riots, the civil disobedience action and the housing marches, all of it," he recalled. Cullen was deported in 1973 after destroying draft records as part of the famed Milwaukee 14 antiwar group. His family was relocated to his homeland, as well.

It was during that tumultuous era when the Cullens co-founded the Casa Maria shelter through the Catholic Workers movement. The house was a home for "single mothers, single fathers, folks coming off of drugs, whoever needed help," Cullen explained. Casa Maria spawned a successful meal program, as well, which today is supported by numerous Milwaukee-area churches and synagogs.

"We started the program as a family and refused money from the government. We wanted it to be a work of the people," Cullen emphasized, looking back at those early days.

During his stay back in Ireland, Cullen worked with young people, bringing them to Celtic holy sites and encouraging them to learn from history and reflect on its lessons. He and his wife then started a new shelter, The Emmanuel House of Providence, which was located where there was once an early monastic settlement in Clonfert. 

"All over Ireland, there are so many of these pre-Catholic sites. Now everyone is trotting to them, " he said. "This Celtic spirituality has arisen as something to look at."

An unshakable adherence to non-violence remains a very important factor in Cullen's life. To him, faith and spirituality are the only "weapons" a person needs. "I never realized (in early days as an activist) that I was being taught myself about non-violence," he said.

Now he is the teacher. "Violence created fear. Non-violence is the power to love, to bring justice," he emphasized.

Cullen attributed much of the peaceful progress made in Northern Ireland to the example of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Nonviolent movements all have their roots, he pointed out. Just as King learned from Gandhi, the basic message is that it does not matter what particular race or color or religion a person might happen to be -- everyone learns from each other, Cullen said.
"We should look at our religions and see what brings us together. If it is truly religion, it won't divide, it will bring us together."

Currently, the Cullens live in Spirit , a village in northern Wisconsin where Annette was born and raised. Their family farm doubles as Camp Jesus, a nondenominational retreat house. Cullen also serves as a deacon for several small Catholic churches in the area.

The Celtic/African dialogue was the third annual event sponsored by the Nehemiah Project, a Milwaukee-based non-profit organization dedicated to promoting interracial understanding.