MOURNERS PRAY THAT SOME GOOD WILL COME FROM BOMB
Mourners pray that some good will come from bomb
By Brendan Anderson
in Omagh
ALL Christians are praying that peace will come out of the evil of the Omagh bombing, a Methodist spokesman said after the funeral of Olive Hawkes yesterday. Mrs Hawkes, a 60-year-old mother of two, died instantly in the massive blast which tore the heart out of the Co Tyrone market town on Saturday.
Her distraught husband Percy Hawkes, their son Mark and daughter Mandy indicated yesterday they were still attempting to come to terms with her death and appealed to journalists to respect their privacy and remain at a discreet distance.
Hundreds of mourners made their way from all over the county to the family home at Fecarry Road deep in the heart of the west countryside for a short service.
A mile-long convoy of vehicles then made its way in bright sunshine the few miles over the narrow back roads to the little Methodist church at Mayne where many other mourners had already assembled.
The congregation sang Make Me A Channel of Your Peace during the service of thanksgiving for Mrs Hawkes's life. The service was celebrated by family friend and Sydenham, east Belfast, clergyman Rev Ken Robinson.
Rev David Kerr, President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, also attended the funeral and offered his prayers and support to the Hawkes family.
Speaking after the service, a Methodist spokesman said: "Hopefully, out of the evil that has manifested itself at the weekend in Omagh with the slaughter of the innocent will come an incentive for people to work for peace.
"As Christians, we will be praying for those who have been injured, those who remain critically ill and those who have lost loved ones because grief knows no denominational boundaries."
After the service, the funeral cortege made its way back towards Omagh to the Cappagh Parish Church graveyard where Mrs Hawkes was buried.
By Brendan Anderson
in Omagh
ALL Christians are praying that peace will come out of the evil of the Omagh bombing, a Methodist spokesman said after the funeral of Olive Hawkes yesterday. Mrs Hawkes, a 60-year-old mother of two, died instantly in the massive blast which tore the heart out of the Co Tyrone market town on Saturday.
Her distraught husband Percy Hawkes, their son Mark and daughter Mandy indicated yesterday they were still attempting to come to terms with her death and appealed to journalists to respect their privacy and remain at a discreet distance.
Hundreds of mourners made their way from all over the county to the family home at Fecarry Road deep in the heart of the west countryside for a short service.
A mile-long convoy of vehicles then made its way in bright sunshine the few miles over the narrow back roads to the little Methodist church at Mayne where many other mourners had already assembled.
The congregation sang Make Me A Channel of Your Peace during the service of thanksgiving for Mrs Hawkes's life. The service was celebrated by family friend and Sydenham, east Belfast, clergyman Rev Ken Robinson.
Rev David Kerr, President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, also attended the funeral and offered his prayers and support to the Hawkes family.
Speaking after the service, a Methodist spokesman said: "Hopefully, out of the evil that has manifested itself at the weekend in Omagh with the slaughter of the innocent will come an incentive for people to work for peace.
"As Christians, we will be praying for those who have been injured, those who remain critically ill and those who have lost loved ones because grief knows no denominational boundaries."
After the service, the funeral cortege made its way back towards Omagh to the Cappagh Parish Church graveyard where Mrs Hawkes was buried.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0110
Published Date: 20-Aug-98
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