- Cecilia Thackaberry
Sister Cecilia Thackaberry, PBVM, a
Presentation Sisters nun, became a missionary aged 56, and was killed inNigeria performing relief work in 1969.Born in Dublin in 1909 as Sarah Agnes Thackaberry, she attended the Presentation Sisters school in Warrenmount and later studied with the Loreto Sisters in
St Stephen's Green .In November 1933 she entered the Presentation Order in
Buxton . In the intervening years up to 1965 she taught and acted as Novice Mistress in various locations throughout England. One of these schools was The Presentation Convent Stapenhill, Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire. [http://www.stapenhill.netfirms.com/]In September 1965, Sr. Cecilia led a group of two other sisters who embarked on the 26 day journey to
Port Harcourt in Nigeria. The Presentations Sisters had been invited by the local Bishop to minister in his Diocese. On her arrival in Nigeria, the sisters took charge of the Sancta Marian nursery and primary schools. Sr. Cecilia started evening classes for a girl who could not afford schools fees.Nigeria was experiencing upheaval after gaining its independence from theUK in 1960. The eastern region became independent in 1967 under the name Republic of Biafra. Federal troops invaded Biafra that year and the Presentation community moved from Port Harcourt toOwerri .She helped in refugee camps aided by world agencies and in Umuma she and another nun organised relief work and medical care for refugees facing famine who flocked to Owerri. A sick bay was established in Owerri, Nigeria. Gradually she was able to reach out to more and more people.
On the day of her death in September 1969, Sr. Cecilia and Sr. Elizabeth were taking a nurse out to look after one of their newest sick bays. They had only travelled three miles when their vehicle was hit by fire from a low flying Nigerian aircraft. Sr. Cecilia and the driver were killed in the attack.
Bishop Okoye, who had invited the sisters to
Port Harcourt said:“she was our first martyr of charity….”Her remains were laid to rest on the grounds of the parish church at Emekuku, Nigeria.
External links
* [http://www.catholiccommunications.ie/Pressrel/29-september-2005.html]
* [http://www.missionalive.net/?q=node/65]References
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