Mourners at the funeral Mass yesterday of Irish missionary priest and one of the "Negros Nine", Columban priest Father Niall O'Brien (64), were told that his unique contribution was "to a theology of non-violence".
He was convinced that a Christian must never respond to violence with more violence. Several hundred mourners, including his brothers and many nieces and nephews, filled the church of St Columban in the grounds of Dalgan Park, Navan, the home of the Columban Missions in Ireland, to hear the moving tribute paid to him by Father Cyril Lovett.
Father Lovett also quoted from the diary that Father O'Brien kept during the 17 months he and eight others, including two priests, spent incarcerated in Bacolod prison in the Philippines in 1983 and 1984. In the diary, Father O'Brien said that if the bitter end came he would accept it as God's will and "use it to try and bring about a lessening of violence in the world, a growth of love and care and a lessening of the amount of tears shed."
The "Negros Nine" were arrested in April 1983 and accused on perjured evidence of murdering a local mayor the previous year. Arrested with him were Brian Gore, an Australian missionary, Itak Dangan, a Filipino priest and six Catholic lay leaders. There was international outrage at their arrest but the charges against them were not dismissed until July 1984.
The then Bishop of Galway, Dr Eamonn Casey, campaigned for their release. At the start of requiem Mass yesterday, chief celebrant Father Donal Hogan welcomed Bishop Casey, saying he was "a great supporter" of Father Niall in prison.
The President, Mrs McAleese, was represented by her senior aide de camp, Col Traolach Young. The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, was represented by Comdt Michael Murray. Also present was the Honorary Irish consul in the Philippines, Ms Noreen Trotta. The Bishop of Meath, Dr Michael Smith, sent his condolences.
Father O'Brien died in Pisa, Italy on April 27th and, in accordance with his wishes, his ashes will be buried in the Philippines.