In aftermath of war, peacekeepers help residents of Catholic hospice

Published: 2004-02-11

MONROVIA, Liberia (CNS) -- Irish peacekeepers have a perilous task in Liberia: They must keep the peace in a nation accustomed to war and help out with a fragile, new demobilization process. In their spare time the Irish troops, facilitated by their Catholic chaplain, have found another way to help. They have banded together to donate money, food and games to the ailing residents of an AIDS hospice run by the Missionaries of Charity. "Nobody should die without having someone to hold their hand," said Father Brendan Madden, a military chaplain who helped organize the donations to the home for dying AIDS patients. He said the initiative started after a suggestion from local priests triggered a flood of generosity from the 470 Irish peacekeepers, most of whom come from Catholic backgrounds. The soldiers, who arrived in December, have raised several thousand dollars through sports tournaments or individual donations. Many are touched by the condition of patients in the advanced stages of AIDS.

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