Report on funeral of Columban Fr Thomas 'Tanvir' O'Hanlon in Karachi
Submitted by FatherSean on Mon, 06/14/2010 - 11:02.
This report was sent by Fr Tomás King, Columban coordinator in Pakistan. Father Thomas O’Hanlon’s family nickname was ‘Tommy’. Shortly after Father Tommy arrived in Pakistan in 1982 an old man gave him the name ‘Tanvir’, ‘Enlightened One’, and that is the name by which he is best known in Pakistan.
Fr Tanvir O'Hanlon, 1945-2010. Photo by Fr Gary Walker after Easter 2010
Fr Tanvir O' Hanlon was laid to rest in St Columban's Parish, Greentown, Lahore, on Thursday, 10 June, after the Funeral Mass in Sacred Heart, Cathedral, Lahore. He lies beside Fr Pat McCaffrey who was laid to rest three weeks previously to the day.
Bishop Joseph Coutts of Faisalabad
The main celebrant was Bishop Joseph Coutts of Faisalabad Diocese, a long time friend of Tanvir and the Columbans. Two of Tanvir’s siblings traveled to Lahore for the funeral: Ned from his home place in Tarbert, County Kerry, Ireland, and Michael who is based in England. They managed to secure visas quickly through the help of Fr Pat Raleigh. (Fr Raleigh is Columban Vice-Director in Ireland and went with the first group of Columbans to Pakistan in 1979 after serving for eleven years in the Philippines).
It was a moving ceremony that was a fitting celebration of Tanvir's life and his passion for justice which evolved and integrated into a passion and care for all of Creation. At the introduction to the Mass, Gloria Canama described the life, faith and missionary journey of Tanvir. (Gloria Canama, from Tangub City, Misamis Occidental, Philippines, is a Columban lay missionary who has been in Pakistan since 1990).The homily was given by Fr Tomás King.
The gifts and symbols brought up in the offertory celebrated his life and mission in Ireland, Philippines and Pakistan.
Kerry jersey on the left. Photo taken 13 June 2010 as Kerry deafeated archrivals Cork by one point in a Munster Championship replay.
Kerry football jersey: Tanvir first expressed his passion for life as a footballer. He was captain of the Kerry minor team that won the All-Ireland Minor (Under-18) Football Championship in 1963. His football jersey symbolizes his gifts and talents and his ability to work in a team.
Neem Tree and Candle: These symbols represent healing, life and light. Tanvir was a healing and life giving presence in our midst.
Soil represents the places where Tanvir spread the good news through his life. We have gathered this soil from Mariamabad, Shekhupura, Shadbagh, Greentown and brick kiln. This soil represents his entire life with the earth community, especially in
Globe: Tanvir's life reached far and wide. In the
Cage and Dove: Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation were the passion of his life. He worked tirelessly for justice especially for those on the margins of society, brick kiln, women and sanitary workers. The cage was opened and the bird freed after the Eucharistic celebration.
Earth from space with Pakistan in center
Earth Community Banner: Earth is our home and all the lives that live on her are our cosmic family. We are just one tiny species of this family. The love, care and respect for creation were visible through his words and actions. It was his belief that we are from this universe and will return to this universe, so we need to take responsibility for loving, caring and respecting the universe.
Celebration of Mass in Pakistan
Bread and Wine are the symbols of God's goodness, which earth has given us and human hands have made. Tanvir offered his life and work to God.
After Holy Communion items of significance from Tanvir's life in Pakistan were presented to his brothers by Fr Joe Joyce and Fr Robert MaCulloch, including his breviary, a Pakistani stole and the banner that embodied the Earth Community. Michael spoke on behalf of the family who thanked the people of
Fr Tommy Murphy (Columban Superior General, in photo) also spoke words of thanks for all the people who expressed their support, in recent days and weeks, to the Columbans in Pakistan who had, in Fr Pat McCaffrey and Father Tanvir, suffered the loss of two committed and faithful conferees in a short space of time. He also said it was a privilege for the Society of St Columban to be on mission in Pakistan and it was committed to continue to be so.
When Tanvir’s coffin arrived at the St Columban’s parish centre there were many people waiting to pay their respects. People queued up for the ‘Last Look’ after which prayers were said. Fr Robert McCulloch led the prayers at the graveside.
Darkness had fallen by the time burial was complete. The grave was covered with rose petals and flowers. Candles were lit and incense sticks lit. As people stood in silence in the light of the candles, it felt surreal, just unbelievable that in the space of 21 days, that two close friends; two stalwart, passionate and committed Columban missionaries, were laid to rest side by side in the soil of the ‘land of the pure.’ Two separate deaths, but in many ways one intense moment of grief.
In the words of W. B. Yeats: things have ‘All changed, changed utterly: a terrible beauty is born.’
May they rest in peace.
Again, sincere thanks to all for the prayers and support to the families of Father Pat and Father Tanvir and to the Columbans in Pakistan. Also thanks to Fr Tommy Murphy for his supportive presence during this difficult time.
- 1887 reads
Father Tanvir's Passing by Riffat Hassan
This is an email from RIFFAT HASSAN sent thru our contact form at http://misyononline.com/misyonforum/contact on 20 June 2010.
My dear Columban Friends,
I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Father Tanvir in Pakistan. I knew Tanvir since his arrival in Pakistan in 1982 and had the pleasure of seeing him many times in the 19800's Since I lived in the U.S. i could not meet Tanvir for a number of years until 2007 when I was back in Lahore. We met at some interfaith events but did not have the opportunity to talk at length. I so greatly regret it now for there was so much to share. Tanvir was such an exceptional human being - so full of love and kindness and his wonderful Irish sense of humour. I cannot think of many persons who had such capacity for self-giving and service to others. You were a blessed soul Tanvir and I believe that you rest now in God's loving care. I am in the U.S. but I will visit your resting place when I return to Lahore and pay my loving respect to your precious memory. Through this email I want to send my deepest condolences to your family and friends. May God give them solace and strength at this time of mourning. I miss you Tanvir.
Your friend,
Riffat
Thank you, Dr Riffat
Dear Dr Riffat,
Greetings from a sunny Bacolod, Philippines!
Please know that we greatly appreciate your email. I am sorry to hear that you missed talking to Fr Tanvir about a lot of things before his end. But I do believe that whatever you wish to share to Fr Tanvir will still have a place as you also try to share those things to God's people. I actually checked your profile on the net and have seen some of your blogs.
You are blessed to have known Fr Tanvir. I only knew him when I learned about his death and of what people say about him. And this your email also struck me.
I see that you are so passionate with the interfaith thing. That's one field I want to engage in in the near future. More power to you Dr Riffat in all your endeavors...
God bless,
(",)
Mary Joy
'Love is embracing all and loving especially the unlovables.'
Dear Sister Mary Joy,
Dear Sister Mary Joy,
It is so good to hear from you.I believe that in death, as in life, Tanvir brought together a number of persons who loved his spirit and his incredible work in some of the most difficult places in the world. I am, indeed, blessed to have known him and to have had the opportunity to see him, albeit all too briefly, after a lapse of many years. I wish I could have spent more time with him in person when we were both in Lahore in 2007. That was not to be - and this will continue to sadden me - but what we can and should do is to keep his legacy alive in any way we can.
I am glad to know that you intend to engage in interfaith work. It is one of the most worthwhile things one can do is today's conflict-ridden world.
Please feel free to post my message on Tanvir's page. It would be a source of joy for me to connect with those who know him.
Please stay in touch.
May God's blessings be with you,
Riffat
Dear Dr Riffat, I am happy
Dear Dr Riffat,
I am happy to read your response...
From the first time I heard of Interfaith or Inter-Religious Dialogue, I knew it in my heart that I would love to go for a mission engaging in interfaith works...though I am not that confident yet as I still lack experience in this field. But it is with hope that if God really wants me for it then He will make a way.
Indeed it is a pleasure and I am deeply honored to know you.
Thanks a lot, Dr Riffat and God bless!
(",)
joy
'Love is embracing all and loving especially the unlovables.'
Condolence from Mirza Aslam Beg
This is an email from MIRZA ASLAM BEG sent thru our contact form at http://misyononline.com/misyonforum/contact on 20 June 2010.
I had the pleasure of meeting Fr. TANVIR in Lahore when he visited Dr. Riffat Hassan. He was a very affable person and I pray to God that He in his infinite mercy grant its rightful place in Heaven to the departed soul.
Through the courtesy of this forum I want to offer my sincere condolences to the family of the deceased. Departure of Fr. TANVIR is a great loss to everybody who knew him.
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