Kapaun crucifix stirs emotions
June 16 was a great day for parishioners of St. John Nepomucene Church, Pilsen, when the crucifix titled "Christ in Barbwire" once again was available for viewing at the church.
School officials at Kapaun-Mount Carmel High School in Wichita entrusted the crucifix to Rose Mary Neuwirth for a short time, while a new display case was being prepared.
The memorial to Chaplain Emil Kapaun, a native of Pilsen, originally was presented to St. John Nepomucene church at Pilsen in the early 1950s and remained there until the diocese transferred it to the school named after him in Wichita, where it was mounted on a solid brass plate.
The storied Kapaun crucifix was on display all day June 16. Several hundred people came to view it.
Seeing the cross in its original home was an emotional experience for some. One church member stood before the crucifix with tears in her eyes and told how she was there the day it was presented at the Pilsen Parish by four POWs who brought the cross out of North Korea.
She went on to tell how Bessie, Father Kapaun's mother, would kneel in front of the cross whenever she attended Mass, as it served as a connection to her son. When the crucifix was transferred by the diocese to Wichita, she said, Bessie was upset.
Some who couldn't be in Pilsen June 16 viewed the celebrated cross (weighing about 300 pounds) as it sat in Neuwirth's car in her yard at 2035 290th Street. She also took it to Florence and Marion, so people there could view it.
It now is back in Wichita, and the thrilling story of its creation continues to inspire.
Kapaun, who grew up at Pilsen and became a Roman Catholic priest, served as a military chaplain during the Korean War (1950-1953).
He was captured while ministering to sick and wounded soldiers who were overrun by Communist troops. He continued to minister to the other POWs in the prison camp until overcome by illness.
Captain Gerald Fink was captured after Chaplain Kapaun had died. When he heard American soldiers tell about the chaplain's deeds, he resolved to create a memorial to Kapaun.
Using crude tools, Fink carved the wooden crucifix over a two and one-half month period. The 40-inch high cross was carved of cherry wood. The corpus was 26 inches high and was made from scrub oak. The crown of thorns resembles barbed-wire and was made from scraps of radio wire.
The crucifix was presented at Pilsen after the war but later was transferred to Wichita.
Fink, who is of the Hebrew faith, and others who were in the POW camp where Chaplain Kapaun died were present for the ceremony in Pilsen.
"It meant a lot to the church family to once again have it in our possession if even for a short time," Neuwirth said. "It was quite an honor to be trusted with its safety."
Three books have been written about Father Kapaun. They are "The Story of Chaplain Kapaun" by Monsignor Arthur Tonne, "Shepherd in Combat Boots," and "Chaplain Kapaun, Patriot Priest of the Korean Conflict." They are available at Marion City Library, can be purchased in bookstores, or from Holy Family Parish, 415 N. Cedar, Marion.
