They Stay: They Serve: They Suffer
President McAleese has often spoken of the great work of Irish missionaries, not only as ambassadors for the Church, but also for the Irish nation. At the 150th anniversary of the Spiritan Congregation on 28th October, the President noted, 'The kidnap of Sharon Cummins and Kilda Kawuki in Darfur and the ongoing ordeal of Fr Michael Sinnott in the Philippines are a recent stark reminder of the dangers faced by all development workers, whether missionaries or lay people.'
In his message for World Mission Sunday 2009, the Pope made explicit mention of the danger facing missionaries. 'I recall the men and missionaries of today who bear witness to and spread the Kingdom of God in situations of persecution and who are subjected to forms of oppression ranging from social discrimination to prison, torture and death'.
Between 2001 and 2007, a total of 193 pastoral workers, religious missionaries and lay volunteers died violently, with many others dying from disease and natural disaster. No matter the violent circumstance however, the extent of the tragedy always remained the same. A life had been so unjustly taken, a life dedicated to serving those in need: a life dedicated to God's work.
My first personal connection with a murdered missionary was the death of Spiritan, Fr Felim McAllister CSSp, in March 1994. Born in Donabate, Fr Felim and I were ordained together and both worked in Sierra Leone. He was very close to his people and served them well. He left many structures behind him: bridges, churches, schools and the very hospital he was so dedicated to. He also trained and educated many local catechists, paying attention to the fact that people are hungry for God, not just bread and freedom. Felim was murdered leaving Panguma Hospital, a hospital that had truly served the people of all religions and people on both sides of the civil war.
Another tragic death was that of Mill Hill Missionary, Fr Brian Thorp (77). Fr Brian was found lifeless in the parish residence in Lamu, Kenya, apparently the victim of an armed attack which occurred on the night of 9th April 2008. Fr Thorp, born 30th January 1931 in Derbyshire, England, was the fourth of five children. Following the death of his youngest brother in 1967, Brian, who had spent his life working as a carpenter and construction worker, decided to reflect on his future. The following year, he entered the programme for studies with the Mill Hill Missionaries. He carried out his first mission from 1973-1976 in Basankusu (present day Democratic Republic of Congo), where he worked on various building projects for the mission. Later, Brian's missionary journey took him to Kenya and Uganda.
In December 2000, Sr. Teresa Egan, born in Clarahill, Co Laois, a St Joseph of Cluny sister, was murdered in St Lucia in the West Indies. Sr. Teresa had spent forty years wholly dedicated to teaching the young girls to always search for and abide by the truth.
Sr. Teresa's death was followed by that of Columban missionary Fr Rufus Halley, born in Waterford. Fr Rufus was murdered on the 28th August 2001 as he worked to establish dialogue between Christians and Muslims in the southern part of the Philippines. Both Muslims and Christians alternated in keeping vigil by the body of this missionary who was a peacemaker.
Another peacemaker, Fr Declan O'Toole, born in Headford, Co Galway was murdered in March 2002 in Kagamoja, Uganda. He attempted to bring peace to warring tribes as it was the poorest people who suffered greatest in the tense clashes.
In December 2003, Archbishop Michael Courtney, born in Nenagh, was murdered as he attempted to bring peace between the government and the rebels in the war torn country of Burmundi.
Salesian Fr Johnson Moyalan (60), from India, was killed on 1st July 2008. The brutal episode took place in the Salesian mission in the Nepalese town of Sirsia, 15km from the Indian border. Gunmen broke into the mission during the night forcing the gate keeper to take them to the priests' house. Assistant priest Fr Mathew Puthuppallil, tried to go for help but was stopped. Hearing gunfire, the local people came running and found the missionary, shot to death by two firearms.
Missionaries are on the frontline of evangelization and as a consequence are often on the frontline of oppression and war. For as long as they act as a voice for the marginalized, care for the unwanted and speak the Word of God the lives of missionaries will always be at risk. Many of us would walk away from the fear and the danger but not missionaries: they stay, they serve, they suffer.
If you would like to find out more about the official Catholic charity for supporting overseas missions, World Missions, Ireland, or you would like to make a donation please visit www.wmi.ie. Alternatively you can write to World Missions, Ireland, 64 Lower Rathmines Road, Dublin 6