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IN 2001, a 57-year-old Irish priest called Rufus Halley was murdered in the Philippines by a gang of men who were attempting to abduct him.
He had left Ireland in the 1960s to work in dialogue and conflict resolution between Muslim and Christian communities in the country, which was rapidly descending into civil war.
On that day 18 years ago Fr Hally was on his way home from a visit to a local parish when he was stopped by four men who tried to kidnap him. When he resisted, he was shot in the head and killed.
Author Jean Harrington read a news article about Fr Halley’s murder at the time and said the warmth of the priest was “palpable” from the way his friends and family members spoke about him.
“He knew he was living in a dangerous situation and yet he remained there because he believed it was the right thing to do – that his actions of living peacefully would somehow influence his neighbours to live a more peaceful life.”
The news article also mentioned a Fr Des Hartford, who had been kidnapped in 1997 by the Moro National Liberation Front.
The Irish priest was held hostage, used as a bargaining tool in the insurgents’ negotiations with the Philippine government. He was released unharmed after 12 days.
In her new book, Murder in the Missions, Harrington writes that she was captivated by the stories of these two men. She contacted Fr Hartford in 2003 to to talk to him about her idea of writing a book about his life and that of Fr Rufus Halley.
At this time he had advanced cancer and Harrington said “he knew he would not live to see the book completed”.
He said he was happy for her to go ahead with the book and introduced her to friends and colleague who could help with her research after he had passed away.
As well as interviews with people who know the two men, Harrington pulled information for the book from diaries and letters to paint a complete picture.
Harrington said she hopes the book will allow others to know the two men and “give an insight into the many people who are still working for peace in the Philippines”.
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Has anyone else noticed that since this covid 19 started, that the weather has been amazing, the skies have been clearer and the water taste better
@Nakedcleanersireland.com: Maybe this is Mother Natures way of putting us back in our box.
@Nakedcleanersireland.com: How’s business these days?
@Nakedcleanersireland.com: Amazing weather??? It’s been cold. Lower than the average monthly temperature for March.
@Nakedcleanersireland.com: Do you think the fact it’s spring might be a factor?
@Nakedcleanersireland.com: It is the time of year for the weather to be like this. Maybe you’ve been too busy to notice those things before?
@Logan Shepherd: I’ve learned I need to slow down and enjoy things more. Career change may be in order after this.
@Nakedcleanersireland.com: as a golfer that went out in the bad weather and mud for 5 months, yes I noticed the last 5 weeks.
@Nakedcleanersireland.com: Really ? Lashed rain all day yesterday in the south-east.
17 degrees,, yaaaay if I could only go out it would be great
@John kavanagh: why can’t you get out?
Oh dear we will pay for this. Stand by for claims of the hottest April on record, mumbling about carbon tax from Fianma Gael, talk of banning turf and daysul
Think I will dust off the bbq and stock up on a few beers.
@Richard:
Now that sounds like a brilliant plan BBQ in the back garden, good ole bit of craic over the fence with the neighbours while social distancing.
Gonna give the old BBQ a damn good scrubbing and text the neighbours..
I’ll raise a glass to you Richard.
@Justice Mickey: we’re still talking about an outdoor charcoal grill type cooking device here right, and not something else? You see where my confusion could’ve come from, you getting all excited, giving something a good scrubbing, messaging the neighbours! Or have I ‘swung’ to the wrong conclusion mate! Either way, enjoy it man!
@ThatLJD:
Hahaha, that’s 2 flipping great ideas on the same thread …
*looking for my drill*
@Justice Give the old drill a cleaning as well.
Sounds like my drinking habits
Biggest drop in Co2 emmissions since WW2, I have noticed bright sunny skies colder nights with less cloud coverage , maybe the climate change deniers can now stay quiet given that there is actual evidence to prove fewer car journeys, flights , indutries closing etc actial makes a difference .
https://www.rte.ie/news/coronavirus/2020/0403/1128226-fall-in-co2-emissions-could-be-greatest-since-ww2/
@John Judd: No one denies climate change, only the affect humans have on it.
Great. I might be able to leave the heating off for a bit longer and light the stove a bit later. It has been really cold this spring, I’m still wearing thermals and ski mid-layers indoors.
Beautiful weather for a run along the river this morning. Definitely time for the BBQ and I’ll try out my first batch of home brew cider while I’m at it – May as well, not much else to do at the moment I guess.
FFS
throw on your shorts…
@The Great Cornholio: here’s hoping lose wind levels will allow us to feel that glorious warmth.
But, the weather is only sunny and nice 4km from my house at any given time. I can’t go more than 2km from my house. :)
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