Daft Ploys, Dire Results
Ascending to heaven is a rather spiritual aspiration, best left to that time when the soul leaves the mortal remains, one would imagine. And then truly it is nearer my God to thee. Some people are born impatient and must have everything in the here and now. And some people are inspired to brave the elements certain that they are in the caring hands of a Deity who will protect them from the impartiality of Nature.The fate of Icarus, another trusting soul - although it was his inventor father, Daedalus, to whom his life was sacrificed- a case in point. That brave little experiment saw the sun of our little solar system inexorably melting the wax that held the feathered wings to Icarus's tender shoulders and sent him spiralling back down to ground.
In the latest foray into the ether it was a Brazilian priest tethered to a thousand helium-filled party balloons, making a pretty pattern aloft.
Father Adelir Antonio de Carli departed on his celestial journey after a special Mass held in Paranagua, Brazil. There, truly, is a test of faith. Not only did he bravely set off on his mission to bring attention to his parish, but he exhibited the courage of foolish determination in setting off despite bad weather, secure in the knowledge that God Almighty had his eye on this particular sparrow.
He carried a parachute among his gear, had with him also a global positioning device, and that must have been reassuring. Other than the fact that his friends claim the good Father did not have the requisite knowledge for its use. Oh dear. Plans, the best-laid of them, do so often go awry, and unexpected winds carried this warrior of the skies over the South Atlantic.
Not, in fact, his earlier-determined course, which was to fly 20 hours due west. Many hours post-departure his voice was heard over his cellphone, giving his coordinates. Straight out over the vast ocean, before losing contact. Rescue workers embarked on a search of the coastline, by plane and by boat. Searching for a miracle, the good father alive and well.
"We found bits of balloons all along the coast" reported the deputy fire commander in the coastal town of San Francisco do Sul. Not to worry, the godly aviator had with him water, cereal bars and energy capsules.
It is without doubt that Father Adelir Antonio de Carli experienced the adventure of his life.
Labels: Adventure, Religion, Technology
posted by Pieface @ Wednesday, April 23, 2008
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