Jack Finucane

Jack Finucane (1937 – 7 June 2017) was a Roman Catholic missionary of the Spiritan Fathers order, who with his brother Aengus Finucane, organized food shipments from Ireland to the Igbo people during the Nigerian Civil War. He was a co-founder and leader of Concern Worldwide, a global aid agency.[1][2][3]

Jack Finucane
Born
Limerick, Ireland
Died
Kimmage, Ireland
NationalityIrish
CitizenshipIreland
Alma materHoly Ghost College, Kimmage
Known forSupplying food to the population in Biafra
RelativesAengus Finucane (brother)

Biography

Early life

Finucane was born in 1937, in the city of Limerick, Ireland, along with his twin brother. He was educated by the Congregation of Christian Brothers.[4][1] He joined the Holy Ghost Fathers and was ordained in 1963. He taught for a time in Rockwell before going on missionary work to Africa. Following his work in Nigeria, he worked in the United States and studied in San Francisco for a Masters in Education.[2][5]

Concern Worldwide

Jack was sent to Nigeria, and, along with his brother Aengus, he was involved in the provision of humanitarian aid during the Nigerian Civil War, and the founding and creation of Concern Worldwide. He was expelled from Nigeria along with the other Spiritans and returned to Ireland.[1][2]

In 1973, he was posted to Bangladesh, during the war of independence with (West) Pakistan.[1]

Jack worked with Concern in Ethiopia during the 1984 famine. He advised Bob Geldof and in 1985 showed Bono around on his first visit. Bono referred to Jack as the John Wayne of aid workers.[1]

Returning to Dublin in 1991, he became a regional director for Concern Worldwide, until he officially retired in 2002. He went in 2004 to Sudan during the Darfur conflict.[1] In 2005, he headed up Concern's relief efforts in Sri Lanka following the tsunami.[6]

Death

He died suddenly in Kimmage Manor, on Wednesday 7 June 2017, and is buried in the Spiritan plot in Dardistown Cemetery.[2][3]

References
  1. Conor Gallagher (8 June 2017). "Obituary: Fr Jack Finucane, co-founder of aid agency Concern, dies aged 80". Irish Times. Retrieved 1 December 2019. Missionary who helped to organise Biafra aid campaign was cited by Bono as a major influence
  2. Liam Collins (11 June 2017). "Obituary: Fr Jack Finucane". Irish Independent. Retrieved 1 December 2019. The inspirational priest dedicated his life to aid work in countries torn apart by war and famine
  3. Peter O'Mahony (31 July 2017). "Father Jack Finucane obituary". The Guardian. Father Jack Finucane, who has died aged 80, was a Catholic missionary whose life became inextricably linked with the aid agency Concern Worldwide
  4. Fr Jack Finucane RIP Rockwell Union
  5. FR. JACK FINUCANE: 1937 – 2017 A LEGACY OF INCREDIBLE HUMANITARIAN SIGNIFICANCE Concern USA, 8 June 2017.
  6. Concern (5 January 2005). "Jack Finucane to lead Concern team in Sri Lanka] Relief Web". ReliefWeb. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
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