The Murder of Fr.Rufus Halley
Father Rufus Halley (57) my friend, classmate and fellow Columban Missionary, was shot dead on a lonely dirt road in Malabang, Mindanao on the 28 August. We were ordained together and assigned to the Philippine in 1969. Several weeks ago we met in Manila after he had returned from a vacation in Ireland. He had expressed his disquiet to his family and friends at the situation he was returning to where there was tension and distrust between the Muslim community and the Philippine Military.
After our evening prayers in the chapel in the Columban House in Manila we talked quietly about the difficulties we were both facing in our different apostolate working for justice and peace. He was a peacemaker, a friend of all but with a deep commitment to the poor and the oppressed of his parish, Our Lady of Peace where he had been the pastor for the past twenty years.
He was more concerned for my safety than his own, advising me to 'watch my back' in opposing the international syndicate trafficking in women and children for sexual exploitation.
He made light of the danger that he faced and the fact that
hard-liners in both camps did not welcome his ministry. They believed that a
military victory was the only solution. He received treats, at one time the
police gave him an armed guard but later he demurred, preferring to share the
same
risks as everyone else did.
Father Rufus was a deeply spiritual person. He prayed for an hour every dawn before starting his parish duties serving both Christians and Muslims, trying to maintain dialogue and respect for their human rights.
He was fluent in their languages and had amazingly integrated with them so well that he was trusted and held in affection by so many. During the early years of his apostolate he became a shop assistant with a Muslin family all the better to break down the fear and distrust the people had of the non-Muslin land-grabbers and the military. The social inequalities fuelled Muslim movement for autonomy. Father Rufus was a presence of Christ to them. He spent days with the sick irrespective of their faith; he was the champion of those who suffered injustice and hardship. Despite the affliction and persecution that Christians suffer in many lands at the hands of militant Muslims Father Rufus Halley believed that friendship and justice was the only way to bridge the almost insurmountable obstacles between the two faiths in his parish. One of his happiest moments was when two Muslim families invited him to act as the go-between for to end their feuding that had killed twenty. It was an extraordinary occurrence. His efforts brought to an end to spiral of killing.
Thousands came to bid their farewells at his funeral last week, a tribute to his life of love and services for the oppressed and the downtrodden. His school was well attended by members of both communities it was a haven of peace where the dignity of all was cherished and affirmed.
It was only 18 months ago that former President Joseph
Estrada declared all out war against the Muslims in Mindanao because of the
kidnapping and separatist activities of isolated bands of bandits in Basilan
Island and elsewhere. When the Philippine military burnt out two villages in his
parish it was Father Rufus who was there to help the refugees who fled with
their children suffering hunger and disease. He bought tolerances comfort and
relief.
But the military were not pleased. Some saw him as one who as
giving comfort and aid to the 'enemy'. They tried to drive a wedge between him
and the people by inviting him to celebrate Mass for the maundering troops
during the military campaign. He politely refused much to the displeasure of the
military commander. It became a serious issue and Father Rufus had
to write to the national newspapers explaining why it would have been
inappropriate to bless the troops especially when they had their own chaplains.
The commander lost face and prestige over this incident and Father Rufus
even-handed, peaceful tolerance, remained an irritant and a brake on further
atrocities.
Who it was that brutally murdered him may never be known. The Military point to Muslim Kidnappers led by the son of a local Muslin leader. This explanation greatly benefits the military And discredits the Muslim community. How trustworthy is this account we ask. Father Cirilo Nacorda, under threat himself on Basilan Island, Southern Mindanao, gave evidence recently to a government committee that accused the military of accepting a pay-off from the Abu-Sayyaf kidnappers to let them escape with their victims.
In this complex situation, missionaries, whose mission is not conversion but reconciliation, face extreme danger. Father Rufus will never be forgotten nor will his love of the truth and peace.
Fr. Shay Cullen, MSSC
