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THE 2017 Hugh O’Flaherty International Humanitarian Award was presented to Sr Orla Treacy of the Loreto order by the Mayor of Killarney Cllr Niall Kelleher at a ceremony in Killarney on Saturday evening.

This is the tenth year of this award, established to commemorate the humanitarian work of Killarney native Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, in Nazi-occupied Rome during World War Two.

Sr Orla is the principal of a Loreto education and medical mission in Rumbek, South Sudan. In 2004, the Loreto Sisters in Ireland and worldwide started a new movement called “Courage to Move”. It was an invitation for all Loreto Sisters in different countries to start a new mission, to re-engage with missionary spirit that was reflected in the early foundations, and to try to start a new mission in new countries. Shortly after she was professed as a Loreto Sister, Sr Orla responded to this call and in 2006 travelled to Sudan. In the face of abject poverty, civil war and the absolute oppression of women and in particular young girls, they succeeded in establishing schools and a basic medical centre in the area of Rumbek in central South Sudan.

In 2011, South Sudan gained independence and it was hoped that matters would improve, Sr Orla told the large audience in Killarney. “Following a brief period of relative peace, conditions in South Sudan have returned to those applying pre-Independence and the Loreto Sisters continue to struggle to provide education and minimal medical care for those in their care,” said the award winner.

She went on to describe the terrible circumstances facing young girls in South Sudan, with forced marriages while still in their teens, high mortality in childbirth and almost non-existent education, even at primary level.

Concluding on a positive note, she added, “The Loreto sisters are committed to staying the course and with the help of supporters in South Sudan and at home in Ireland, we will continue to do everything in our power to ensure that the young people of South Sudan will receive an education thus enabling them to climb out of poverty and oppression.”

The chair of the Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Society Jerry O’Grady reminded the audience of the words of Nelson Mandela, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Presenting the humanitarian award to Sr Orla, Killarney Mayor Cllr Niall Kelleher spoke of the uncertain future for South Sudan and appealed to all to support the work of the Loreto Sisters there.

In a welcome addition to the O’Flaherty award ceremony, students from all the schools in the Killarney Parish presented a bursary to Sr Orla.
 

 
Above: Sister Orla Treacy. Pic: Don MacMonagle