Fr Martin Dobey RIP
Fr Martin Dobey SSC
Martin Dobey was born on the 21st November 1925, in Lisalway, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon. He was educated in Kilmurry N.S., and St Joseph's Secondary School, Castlerea. He came to Dalgan in 1944 and was ordained in December 1950. He was among the first 13 Columhans appointed to Fiji and arrived there in 1952. |
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He quickly adapted himself to the history, culture and language. Many younger Columbans arriving in the mission years later were astonished at his knowledge and expertise about all things pertaining to the Fijian way of life.
An outstanding missionary, he did not spare himself in promoting the spiritual and educational betterment of the people in the many parishes he worked in: The Yasawas, Vatukoula, Lautoka, Naiserelagi and Labasa. Never afraid of hard work or taking initiatives, in most of these parishes a primary or secondary school, a church or a hall, serve as a lasting memorial to Martin's zeal and industry.
He was Regional Director for 12 years. Apart from four years spent on promotion work in Australia, the remaining years were spent in pastoral appointments in Fiji.
In the 70's, when the liturgical changes were being introduced, Martin's insights into the language and culture were again availed of. Together with the Archbishop, he was the driving force in translating the entire Lectionary and the Sacramentary into Fijian.
To his Columban colleagues Martin was a gentle giant, and in the eyes of the Fijians he was seen as chiefly to the core. He was a gentleman, a real missionary whose heart was in Fiji, where he was known and loved as 'Turaga', 'Chief, and in later years as 'Kuku’ meaning 'beloved one or grandfather'.
Fr Martin Dobey died in St Columbans, Dalgan Park on 9th May 2007.
May he rest in peace.
Fr Martin's Fijian funeral ceremony
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