Fr Shay Cullen, ninth recipient of the Hugh O’Flaherty Humanitarian Award
5 November 2016 [Photo: Don McMonagle]
An Award for the Human Rights Workers and the Poor
by Fr Shay Cullen
Delivered on the occasion of the awarding of the Mons. Hugh O’Flaherty International Humanitarian Award, The Avenue Hotel, Killarney, Ireland, 5 November 2016
Dear friends and supporters and defenders of human rights,
I am honored tonight to be here to receive the Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty International Humanitarian Award. I accept it not for myself but on behalf of all those who are working and risking their lives to defend the rights of the oppressed people and to win freedom for those who are victims of human rights violations.
I accept it for those courageous people who resist oppression and whose lives are at risk of summary execution, those abused, the unjustly incarcerated and for those who are refugees from war and hunger.
I thank Matt Moran for making the nomination and for his commitment in supporting the work of Preda Foundation. I thank Jerry ‘O Grady and the members of the awarding committee and the Killarney Chamber of Commerce for their commitment and dedication in giving support for these people in great need through this award.
I thank the Columban Missionary Society that made it possible for me to serve in the Philippines and to implement the Preda mission, and to do what I do.
Full post here.