AN
80-year-old Irish priest, who made international headlines last year
when held captive for a month by rebels in the Philippines, received a
prestigious humanitarian honour, at the weekend.
Wexford-born Fr Michael Sinnott was given the 2010 Hugh O’Flaherty Humanitarian Award in Killarney in his absence.
In a message, he said he felt deeply honoured and also very unworthy of the award.
"I accept it as a tribute not only to myself, but also to the countless Irish missionaries all over the world," he said.
They labour tirelessly to alleviate the condition of the poor, oppressed and marginalised and to right injustices, the Columban priest explained.
The message was read by Fr Pat Raleigh, vice-director of the Columban Missionaries.
Fr Sinnott said his captivity had now faded into a vague memory, he had suffered no ill-effects and was happily back working at his centre for children with special needs in Pagadian.
"When I returned to Pagadian, it felt as if I had never been away. It must have the result of all the prayers said for me," he added.
Some 62 children attend the centre each day, the vast majority from very poor families.
Accepting the award on behalf of Fr Sinnott, Fr Raleigh paid tribute to other people from Trócaire, Concern and the Niall Mellon Foundation who had also been shortlisted for the award, describing them as prophetic figures.
"They, through their example, challenge each one of us to move beyond our comfort zones," he said.
"They continue to be beacons of hope and rays of light for all us in adverse times."
Cllr Hugh Courtney, chairman of the Hugh O’Flaherty Committee, said Fr Sinnott’s attitude to adversity, his capacity for forgiveness and his dedication to helping less fortunate people, despite personal risks, reflected much of Monsignor O’Flaherty’s attitudes.
Among the attendance were former Supreme Court Judge Hugh O’Flaherty and Pearl Dineen, nephew and niece of the monsignor.
In a message, he said he felt deeply honoured and also very unworthy of the award.
"I accept it as a tribute not only to myself, but also to the countless Irish missionaries all over the world," he said.
They labour tirelessly to alleviate the condition of the poor, oppressed and marginalised and to right injustices, the Columban priest explained.
The message was read by Fr Pat Raleigh, vice-director of the Columban Missionaries.
Fr Sinnott said his captivity had now faded into a vague memory, he had suffered no ill-effects and was happily back working at his centre for children with special needs in Pagadian.
"When I returned to Pagadian, it felt as if I had never been away. It must have the result of all the prayers said for me," he added.
Some 62 children attend the centre each day, the vast majority from very poor families.
Accepting the award on behalf of Fr Sinnott, Fr Raleigh paid tribute to other people from Trócaire, Concern and the Niall Mellon Foundation who had also been shortlisted for the award, describing them as prophetic figures.
"They, through their example, challenge each one of us to move beyond our comfort zones," he said.
"They continue to be beacons of hope and rays of light for all us in adverse times."
Cllr Hugh Courtney, chairman of the Hugh O’Flaherty Committee, said Fr Sinnott’s attitude to adversity, his capacity for forgiveness and his dedication to helping less fortunate people, despite personal risks, reflected much of Monsignor O’Flaherty’s attitudes.
Among the attendance were former Supreme Court Judge Hugh O’Flaherty and Pearl Dineen, nephew and niece of the monsignor.
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