A hugely respected Killarney priest who spent over 60 years undertaking valuable missionary work in Brazil has passed away, at the age of 94.
Fr Seán Myers, from Barleymount in Fossa, was part of the first group of three from the Redemptorist Order to travel to north-east Brazil in the spring of 1960 and, since then, he lived his life on the margins, looking after the most vulnerable of people, living amongst them and guiding them spiritually and emotionally.
When he arrived there, much of his parish was unknown, inaccessible, ignored and neglected by the authorities.
Fr Seán has had to double up as doctor, dentist, mechanic and counsellor to tens of thousands of people that relied on him to help them survive.
The Fossa man encountered people who lived in isolation, without water, often hungry, illiterate and undocumented. He discovered people who lived in fear of eviction, women who worried about loss in childbirth and children with no schooling who spent their days tending animals.
Having no deeds or proof of ownership ensured vulnerability when faced with notorious land-grabbers and corrupt officials.
Fr Seán knew the value of education, good health and the necessity of water and road access and his humanitarian and Christian spirit told him he had no option but to help them.
To honour his remarkable lifetime of service, the much-loved missionary, known in Brazil as Padre Joao, was awarded the prestigious Hugh O’Flaherty International Humanitarian Award in his hometown of Killarney in 2015.
The annual prize is bestowed on individuals who demonstrate the same humanitarian endeavor as Monsignor O’Flaherty who helped save the lives of over 6,500 people from the Nazis in occupied Rome during World War II.
Born in Barleymount August 1930, Seán Myers was educated at Cahooreigh National School and St Brendan’s College and he joined the Redemptorists in 1957, later studying in Rome before moving to Brazil.
A spokesman for the Redemptorists described Fr Seán as “a mighty man” that everybody was very proud of.
Fr Seán is survived by his brother, Daniel, in Barleymount West, nephews and nieces and extended family.
The popular priest has been laid to rest in Brazil. A Mass to celebrate his life will be held in the Prince of Peace Church on Saturday, November 2nd at 12 noon.
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