Courtney McGrailFr Shay Cullen to receive O’Flaherty humanitarian award
Irish Columban missionary Fr Shay Cullen will receive the Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty Humanitarian Award this weekend, November 5, in recognition of his years of work with vulnerable and abused children in the Philippines. The missionary will travel to Killarney, Co. Kerry to receive his honour.
Chairperson of the Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Committee, Jerry O’Grady said the presence of Fr Cullen in Killarney is “an opportunity for young and old to greet and welcome one of Ireland’s great living heroes and to be inspired by his message…Fr Shay has given his life to protecting the human rights of oppressed and exploited children, and has fearlessly challenged those who were not prepared to shoulder their responsibilities, including vested interests, local and national government in the Philippines, and the US Government.”
Ordained in 1969, Fr Cullen has spent the bulk of his ministry in the Philippines, where he co-founded the PREDA Foundation to help vulnerable children. He has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize on three occasions.
Mattie McGrath to lead Cashel panel discussion on abortion
Independent TD Mattie McGrath has issued a call for pro-life supporters to attend a panel discussion on abortion and the Eighth Amendment to be held at the Brú Ború cultural centre in Cashel, Co. Tipperary this November 10 at 7.15pm.
Describing the event as “vital to counter misinformation” on the abortion issue, Deputy McGrath confirmed that he will be joined by Senator Rónán Mullen, Pro-Life Campaign spokesperson Cora Sherlock and Kate Bopp.
“The issue of repeal is being presented in dangerously simplistic terms with no debate on what will be put in place of the Eighth or what protections will exist for the unborn child should it be removed,” Deputy McGrath said. “It is hoped that that the event will make people aware of the radical agenda that is being pushed here by a minority of vocal TDs in the Dáil who have no broad support for their extreme views.”
Burundi needs our help – Trócaire
An unreported refugee crisis is unfolding in east Africa, Trócaire have warned, with some 300,000 Burundians having fled their homes to seek refuge in neighbouring countries.
The country has been embroiled in civil war since April 2015, with over 450 Burundians killed during clashes between government and opposition forces.
A United Nations investigation last month revealed “abundant evidence of gross human rights violations” by the country’s government and its followers, warning that escalating violence could lead to genocide.
“Conditions remain dire for many refugees, most of whom are women and children,” Trócaire’s Liz Evers said, continuing, “we need your help. As the numbers seeking refuge increase, so must our aid efforts.”
Homeless trust to double housing stock
The Peter McVerry Trust is to double its housing provision in the next four years, the charity has said.
Announcing plans to increase the trust’s housing stock to 450 houses by 2020, Fr McVerry said “Housing is a fundamental human right, which, like our health, we tend to take for granted until we lose it.”
Describing Ireland’s housing crisis as the country’s “most serious social issue”, Fr McVerry said “with the right political will, it can be solved”.
The Jesuit campaigner highlighted how difficult the past five years have been for all agencies working with homeless people, noting that December 2015’s record figure of 5,480 adults homeless in Ireland excluded over 2,000 homeless foreign nationals.
Bishop praises Thurles college’s heritage
Limerick’s Bishop Brendan Leahy has praised St Patrick’s College in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, for enhancing the heritage of Limerick’s Mary Immaculate College (MIC).
The Limerick City-based college took over the running of St Patrick’s College last summer.
Bishop Leahy, who is chairman of MIC’s governing body, said at a graduation ceremony at St Patrick’s that MIC is “now enriched by the educational, spiritual and cultural heritage associated with this hallowed place”.
The bishop also paid tribute to those formerly linked with the Thurles college, which was founded in 1837, and helped prepare over 1,500 men for priesthood before it closed as a seminary in 2002. It reopened as a teacher-training college in 2008.