Philippines: Columban nun injured in attack

Sister Melia

An Irish missionary nun has been injured in an attack on the island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines. Columban Sister Kathleen Melia was closing up her convent at the San Jose Parish Church in Midsalip on 1 March when a man wearing a mask, covered her mouth and punched her in the face and chest. She sustained multiple injuries and is currently awaiting surgery in hospital.

Sr Kathleen Melia, 70, originally from Co Leitrim, has worked as a missionary in the Philippines for more than 30 years, specifically with Subaanen tribal people. She has supported their challenge to large-scale destructive mining which they say will destroy their livelihoods and way of life.

Sr Ann Gray who knows Sr Melia from her work with the Sisters of St Columban in Wicklow reported that her colleagues have been "shocked and very concerned". She said: "She has been working in that area for over 30 years with the indigenous populations and she is very close to the people there. She has always loved the people. She always worked with a very mixed group of people in education, livelihood programmes and human rights programmes."