SLAUGHTERED FATHER AND SON LOVED THE THINGS OF GOD
6Slaughtered father and son 'loved the things of God'
By Tony Bailie
A SMALL rural Presbyterian community mourned together yesterday for father and son Fred and Bryan White who died in Saturday's Omagh bomb.
Minister Rev Arthur O'Neill told Mr White's widow Edith and daughter Linda and other mourners that the two men had been killed in an act of "medieval savagery".
In a direct challenge to the bombers Mr O'Neill said "You have caused hurt and heartbreak to the White family and many other innocent people.
"God Almighty repudiates what you have done and rest assured God is not mocked. We are all responsible for what we do. One day you too will have to stand before the Judgement seat of God".
Mr O'Neill said he had ministered to the White family for over 30 years. Even though the White's moved into Omagh town several years ago they continued to worship at the tiny Creevan Presbyterian church set in Drumlins four miles outside of Omagh.
The funeral cortege made its way from the White's family home at Knockgreenan Avenue after a private family service. The funeral procession was delayed as it passed through Omagh caught up by traffic congestion by the still sealed town centre.
On its way to Creevan church it paused briefly outside Fred White's former home in the country, next door to which his brother and sister Bobby and Betty still live.
The narrow country roads surrounding the church could not cope with the number of cars following the hearse which carried father and son. Mourners abandoned their cars and walked the rest of the way to the church.
The two coffins were carried into the tiny church which holds just over 150 people. The congregation spilled over into the carpark and surrounding country roads. Among the mourners was Northern Ireland's first minister David Trimble, local MP Willie Thompson and Ulster
Unionist security spokesman Ken Maginnis.
Mr O'Neill told the congregation that Fred White was a man highly regarded in his Church and community.
He said: "Mixed in Fred were many Christian graces such as goodness, kindness, thoughtfulness for others and a great love for God and the things of God". Mr White although from a farming family had worked in the accounts department of the Western Education and Library Board.
Mr O'Neill said Mr White's financial expertise had also been placed at the disposal of his Church and the local branch of the Ulster Unionist Party.
He said the centre of Fred White's life was his home.
"The family circle was as close-knit and as loving as one could wish".
Bryan White was a worthy son of his mother and father: he had been due to start a new job at Omagh Council as a horticulturist on Monday.
Mr O'Neill said: "Sadly he will not now take up that position.
"Also like his father he was a conscientious and committed member of his congregation. A keen photographer, he had a great love of the outdoor life and the Boys Brigade.
"Here were two men who had a great deal to offer -but not anymore. The wicked and sinful have seen to that".
Presbyterian moderator Dr John Dixon also addressed the congregation and prayed for all of those who had lost loved ones or been injured in Saturday's bomb attack.
He said "Should the evil wicked men who planned and perpetrated this vile obscenity ever listen to those who speak the words of God, may they be stunned to realise that Almighty God not only knows the desperate depravity of their hearts, but he has declared his righteous judgement against their sin in shedding innocent blood.
"He will not turn a blind eye to those who defy his commands - you must not kill".
Dr Dixon said he fully supported the British and Irish governments' declared intention to "spare no effort in bringing such wicked men to justice".
He continued:"But I say further on the authority of the good Lord: such men of violence will have no where to hide before the judgement seat of Christ. One day they too will die and will have no escape route from divine retribution".
After the service the funeral returned to Omagh where father and son were laid to rest side-by-side at the Old Drumragh graveyard.
By Tony Bailie
A SMALL rural Presbyterian community mourned together yesterday for father and son Fred and Bryan White who died in Saturday's Omagh bomb.
Minister Rev Arthur O'Neill told Mr White's widow Edith and daughter Linda and other mourners that the two men had been killed in an act of "medieval savagery".
In a direct challenge to the bombers Mr O'Neill said "You have caused hurt and heartbreak to the White family and many other innocent people.
"God Almighty repudiates what you have done and rest assured God is not mocked. We are all responsible for what we do. One day you too will have to stand before the Judgement seat of God".
Mr O'Neill said he had ministered to the White family for over 30 years. Even though the White's moved into Omagh town several years ago they continued to worship at the tiny Creevan Presbyterian church set in Drumlins four miles outside of Omagh.
The funeral cortege made its way from the White's family home at Knockgreenan Avenue after a private family service. The funeral procession was delayed as it passed through Omagh caught up by traffic congestion by the still sealed town centre.
On its way to Creevan church it paused briefly outside Fred White's former home in the country, next door to which his brother and sister Bobby and Betty still live.
The narrow country roads surrounding the church could not cope with the number of cars following the hearse which carried father and son. Mourners abandoned their cars and walked the rest of the way to the church.
The two coffins were carried into the tiny church which holds just over 150 people. The congregation spilled over into the carpark and surrounding country roads. Among the mourners was Northern Ireland's first minister David Trimble, local MP Willie Thompson and Ulster
Unionist security spokesman Ken Maginnis.
Mr O'Neill told the congregation that Fred White was a man highly regarded in his Church and community.
He said: "Mixed in Fred were many Christian graces such as goodness, kindness, thoughtfulness for others and a great love for God and the things of God". Mr White although from a farming family had worked in the accounts department of the Western Education and Library Board.
Mr O'Neill said Mr White's financial expertise had also been placed at the disposal of his Church and the local branch of the Ulster Unionist Party.
He said the centre of Fred White's life was his home.
"The family circle was as close-knit and as loving as one could wish".
Bryan White was a worthy son of his mother and father: he had been due to start a new job at Omagh Council as a horticulturist on Monday.
Mr O'Neill said: "Sadly he will not now take up that position.
"Also like his father he was a conscientious and committed member of his congregation. A keen photographer, he had a great love of the outdoor life and the Boys Brigade.
"Here were two men who had a great deal to offer -but not anymore. The wicked and sinful have seen to that".
Presbyterian moderator Dr John Dixon also addressed the congregation and prayed for all of those who had lost loved ones or been injured in Saturday's bomb attack.
He said "Should the evil wicked men who planned and perpetrated this vile obscenity ever listen to those who speak the words of God, may they be stunned to realise that Almighty God not only knows the desperate depravity of their hearts, but he has declared his righteous judgement against their sin in shedding innocent blood.
"He will not turn a blind eye to those who defy his commands - you must not kill".
Dr Dixon said he fully supported the British and Irish governments' declared intention to "spare no effort in bringing such wicked men to justice".
He continued:"But I say further on the authority of the good Lord: such men of violence will have no where to hide before the judgement seat of Christ. One day they too will die and will have no escape route from divine retribution".
After the service the funeral returned to Omagh where father and son were laid to rest side-by-side at the Old Drumragh graveyard.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0105
Published Date: 20-Aug-98
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