Editorial - Into your hands
18.08.2010
Two Columban missionary priests died in Pakistan during the month of May. They were not victims of violence from fundamentalists; one died from a heart attack while hurrying to catch a pre-dawn bus, the other died from a blood clot after a stroke that he had a few days before.
Their names were Fathers Pat McCaffrey and Tommy O’Hanlon; both priests were from Ireland and had been in Pakistan for many years. In the late 1970’s the Columban Mission Society opened a new mission in Pakistan and both volunteered for it.
Fr Pat was working in Fiji and Fr Tommy in the Philippines at the time. They were told it would be a demanding mission and it has proved to be so but also worthwhile.
Fr Pat died in the arms of a street sweeper, who are considered the lowliest of all people in Pakistan. If he knew, he would have been pleased with that. Fr Tommy had a stroke that did not appear life- threatening until they discovered a clot when he was taken to hospital. There was nothing the medical staff could do so he did peacefully in bed. If he had a choice he might have wanted to die out on the street with a street sweeper also.
They are buried in Lahore, a long way from home. St Columban died in Bobbio, Italy also a long way from home. They took to heart St Columban’s motto that became the motto of the
St Columban Mission Society: “We belong to Christ, not to ourselves” May they rejoice in God’s presence.
Fr Gary Walker
TFE@columban.org.au
Click here to read other editorials written by Fr Gary Walker
