FATHER AND SON BURIED TOGETHER
Father and son buried together
MINISTER DESCRIBES BOMBING AS 'ACT OF MEDIEVAL SAVAGERY'
A PRESBYTERIAN Minister at the funeral of a father and son killed on Saturday has described the bombing as "a mediaeval act of savagery"
Rev Arthur O'Neill, in his sermon at the double funeral of 60 year old Fred White and his 26 year old son Bryan, had a message to the men of violence.
"Stop what you are doing. Stop it now. Stop it for good. 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 judgment seat of God."
Rev O'Neill said it was a time to be silent and a time to speak.
"Many of us will feel like that today, not because we have nothing to say, but like so many others who have witnessed the terrible and tragic events of the last few days we feel that mere words are inadequate to express the feelings of shock, outrage and horror at what has fallen on our community and our congregation here."
He said people of all denominations and political opinion have voiced their utter condemnation and disgust at an act of mindless and senseless violence, which left 28 dead and over 200 maimed and injured.
"We too lift our voices to condemn outright this awful outrage. We speak today not only for ourselves but for those who go to their graves, and for those who lie maimed and injured in hospitals.
"Our hearts go out today to all whom Fred and Bryan loved and cherished. In the past few days we have witnessed the anguish, bitter grief and hot tears of this family.
"We have seen them waiting, waiting and waiting through the long watches of the night. Hoping and hoping against hope that with the coming of the dawn word would come that Fred and Bryan were safe. It was not to be. The powers of evil and wickedness had done their worst."
Rev O'Neill described Fred as "a man we thought something of in this church and community. Mixed in
Fred were many Christian graces, such as goodness, kindness, thoughtfulness for others, and a great love of God and for the things of God."
He said the centre of Fred's life was his home and he and wife, Edith, were inseparable.
"The family circle was as close knit and loving as one could wish. And even though he was in a home of his own there was no doubt that he had a very special place in the hearts of Bobby and Betty, his brother and sister.
"They, with Edith and Bryan, Linda and Stephen, his son-in-law, were his world."
The Minister told how Bryan had been about to take up a post with the District Council in the horticultural department but sadly would not take up that position.
"Also, like his father he was a conscientious and committed member of this congregation.
"A keen photographer, he had a great love of the outdoor life and the Boys Brigade.
"So you see here were two men who had a great deal to offer but not anymore. The wicked and sinful have seen to that."
He also told mourners "He who calls us to a better way asks that there be no retaliation for this monstrous act.
"There will always be those who are prepared to live their lives at the lowest level, but for the sake of all in our country let the people of God point out a better and nobler way".
Fred White and his son had been in town shopping when the bomb exploded, having just returned from a holiday in Scotland hours before.
They had been in the Salad Bowl shop, next door to SD Kells, when the 500lb ripped through the lower part of the town.
Fred White was a former office bearer and a leading member of the West Tyrone branch of the Ulster Unionist party.
The Vice-Chairman of Omagh District Council, Allan Rainey said Fred had been a "cherished and respected member", who always had a positive contribution to make to the party.
MINISTER DESCRIBES BOMBING AS 'ACT OF MEDIEVAL SAVAGERY'
A PRESBYTERIAN Minister at the funeral of a father and son killed on Saturday has described the bombing as "a mediaeval act of savagery"
Rev Arthur O'Neill, in his sermon at the double funeral of 60 year old Fred White and his 26 year old son Bryan, had a message to the men of violence.
"Stop what you are doing. Stop it now. Stop it for good. 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 judgment seat of God."
Rev O'Neill said it was a time to be silent and a time to speak.
"Many of us will feel like that today, not because we have nothing to say, but like so many others who have witnessed the terrible and tragic events of the last few days we feel that mere words are inadequate to express the feelings of shock, outrage and horror at what has fallen on our community and our congregation here."
He said people of all denominations and political opinion have voiced their utter condemnation and disgust at an act of mindless and senseless violence, which left 28 dead and over 200 maimed and injured.
"We too lift our voices to condemn outright this awful outrage. We speak today not only for ourselves but for those who go to their graves, and for those who lie maimed and injured in hospitals.
"Our hearts go out today to all whom Fred and Bryan loved and cherished. In the past few days we have witnessed the anguish, bitter grief and hot tears of this family.
"We have seen them waiting, waiting and waiting through the long watches of the night. Hoping and hoping against hope that with the coming of the dawn word would come that Fred and Bryan were safe. It was not to be. The powers of evil and wickedness had done their worst."
Rev O'Neill described Fred as "a man we thought something of in this church and community. Mixed in
Fred were many Christian graces, such as goodness, kindness, thoughtfulness for others, and a great love of God and for the things of God."
He said the centre of Fred's life was his home and he and wife, Edith, were inseparable.
"The family circle was as close knit and loving as one could wish. And even though he was in a home of his own there was no doubt that he had a very special place in the hearts of Bobby and Betty, his brother and sister.
"They, with Edith and Bryan, Linda and Stephen, his son-in-law, were his world."
The Minister told how Bryan had been about to take up a post with the District Council in the horticultural department but sadly would not take up that position.
"Also, like his father he was a conscientious and committed member of this congregation.
"A keen photographer, he had a great love of the outdoor life and the Boys Brigade.
"So you see here were two men who had a great deal to offer but not anymore. The wicked and sinful have seen to that."
He also told mourners "He who calls us to a better way asks that there be no retaliation for this monstrous act.
"There will always be those who are prepared to live their lives at the lowest level, but for the sake of all in our country let the people of God point out a better and nobler way".
Fred White and his son had been in town shopping when the bomb exploded, having just returned from a holiday in Scotland hours before.
They had been in the Salad Bowl shop, next door to SD Kells, when the 500lb ripped through the lower part of the town.
Fred White was a former office bearer and a leading member of the West Tyrone branch of the Ulster Unionist party.
The Vice-Chairman of Omagh District Council, Allan Rainey said Fred had been a "cherished and respected member", who always had a positive contribution to make to the party.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0020
Published Date: 20-Aug-98
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