Fr Liam McCarron RIP
| Fr. Liam McCarron
Liam was born on April 23, 1941 in Castlederg, Co. Tyrone, and educated in St. Patrick’s P.S. Castlederg, and the C.B.S. Omagh, before joining the Columbans in 1958.
He was ordained on December 21, 1964 at St. Columban's College, Navan and received an assignment to Korea the following year. |
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Language school for the first two years in Korea was just the beginning of his life-long dedication to mastering the difficult Korean language.
Years of hard work led to him being recognized as one of the best Korean speakers among the missionaries in the country. This language ability helped Liam in his eagerness to move beyond the usual limits of ministry at that time. Within a few years he had opened a student centre near Hanyang University and by the end of the 70’s had developed a new parish and built a church for the community in Ku-oui Dong in Seoul.
After further studies in the U.S. Liam returned to Korea with another
initiative: the setting up of a Clinical Pastoral Education program for the training of hospital chaplains and pastoral workers. The success of this program saw it being incorporated into the training of all the priests in the Archdiocese of Seoul.
From his hospital background and his own family experience of death and dying he helped found the Hospice movement in Korea. His wide experience involved him in education programs for young Korean Columbans, the lay mission program as well as in the training of diocesan priests and sisters. In his continuing search to respond to the emerging needs of a new and urbanized Korea he developed the Family Counseling Centre for the Seoul Archdiocese.
Never a shrinking violet, Liam fought and scrapped his way through life. His preferred form of dialogue could best be described as one of ‘robust exchange’.
Yet the reason Liam was able to achieve so much was due to his close relationship with many Korean families and the friendships built up over his 40 yrs in Korea. This was recognized when awarded the honorary citizenship of Seoul a few years ago. His loyalty to his family, his friends and his Columban colleagues shaped his life and made it all a life worth living.
Liam died at home in Castlederg on 21st July 2007.
May he enjoy the reward of his years of dedicated love and service of God’s people.