Priest on the run in Ethiopia

A Catholic priest from Paisley has hit the road to take first place in a high altitude 10 kilometre road race in Ethiopia ahead of the country’s Millennium celebrations in Addis Ababa on Wednesday (12th September).

The fleet-footed priest, Father John Eagers, took part in the race 2,700 metres above sea level together with a delegation of UK and Irish priests when their plans to run in the country’s annual Great Ethiopian Run was called off due to a terrorist threat.

John Eagers and the rest of the group also expect to meet Ethiopian long distance running legend Haile Gebreselassie tomorrow.

The Scottish, Welsh, English and Irish priests are in Ethiopia to see the joint work of Catholic aid agencies SCIAF (Scotland), CAFOD (England/Wales), and Trocaire (Ireland), and are joining their Ethiopian counterparts to welcome in the country’s second Millennium celebrations on Wednesday. In Ethiopia, the Church uses the ancient Coptic calendar, which is about seven years behind the more widely used Gregorian calendar. For Ethiopians, September 12th this year marks the start of the third Millennium of Christianity.

Commenting on the challenges of running in Ethiopia Father John said:

"My last 10k was two weeks ago in the Paisley 10k. I've done two marathons, but 20 years ago now! Before the run I was absolutely petrified because of not knowing whether I'd be able to cope with the altitude. I'm really disappointed not to run in the Great Ethiopian run because when you run with 30,000 people it actually carries you to the end. I think I completed the course in 48 minutes so I'm very happy. If feels great to have finished.”

During their trip to Ethiopia each of the twelve priests are staying with local communities, learning more about their culture and customs, the challenges people face in this impoverished country as well as the more positive and hopeful aspects of life in Ethiopia. After the Millennium celebrations on the 12th the delegation will return home on the 14th September.

Father John Eagers is travelling with two other Scottish priests, Father Joseph Sullivan from Ruchazie, Glagow, and Father William McFadden from Bearsden/Kilmarnock. All the priests are hoping the visit will have a great impact on themselves and their parishioners when they return home.

Commenting on the forthcoming celebrations Father William McFadden said:

“Most people only have the opportunity to celebrate one millennium whereas we are having the chance to celebrate two! In the same way that seven years ago we welcomed in our own new millennium, we’re in Ethiopia to celebrate theirs. It will be great to see the work going on with the different communities and development agencies like SCIAF.”

Father Joseph Sullivan added:

“When I was growing up we had Live Aid and Ethiopia was in the news. It’s good so many years on to be seeing more of Ethiopia and it being in the news for the right reasons and not for tragic reasons. It will be great to see Ethiopia now and learn from this beautiful country and its people.”

September 2007