
Revolution From the Heart
Niall O'Brien(Author)
Oxford University Press Inc
Published on 29. October 1987
Book
Hardback
320 pages
978-0-19-504950-3 (ISBN)
Description
In 1983 three priests--among them Irishman Niall O'Brien --together with six lay leaders were arrested in the Philippines on a false charge of murder. The government of Ferdinand Marcos hoped in this way to silence those within the church who were increasingly speaking out against social and political injustice. Instead, the "Negros Nine" became the subject of international protest and a focus of the burgeoning Philippine movement for non-violent change.
Released after eighteen months' imprisonment, Father O'Brien returned to Dublin where his prison diary soon became a bestseller. In this new book, he unfolds the larger story of his twenty years as a missionary on the island of Negros in the Philippines. He shows how his encounters with the terrible poverty and ubiquitous injustice he found amid the wealth of the sugar plantations gradually convinced him that the true meaning of Christian discipleship is unconditional commitment to the poor and oppressed. He describes his role in establishing "basic Christian communities," autonomous local groups developed to provide their members with mutual spiritual and practical support, which so alarmed and threatened the military regime. From these beginnings he traces the development, in this land of pervasive brutality and casual murder, of his own theology of absolute nonviolence.
Set against a fascinating background of colonial and more recent Philippine history, O'Brien's vivid first-person narrative provides a unique perspective on the events leading up to the overthrow of the Marcos regime. His theology holds out the hope of a "liberation" that can break the continuing cycle of violence and hatred.
Released after eighteen months' imprisonment, Father O'Brien returned to Dublin where his prison diary soon became a bestseller. In this new book, he unfolds the larger story of his twenty years as a missionary on the island of Negros in the Philippines. He shows how his encounters with the terrible poverty and ubiquitous injustice he found amid the wealth of the sugar plantations gradually convinced him that the true meaning of Christian discipleship is unconditional commitment to the poor and oppressed. He describes his role in establishing "basic Christian communities," autonomous local groups developed to provide their members with mutual spiritual and practical support, which so alarmed and threatened the military regime. From these beginnings he traces the development, in this land of pervasive brutality and casual murder, of his own theology of absolute nonviolence.
Set against a fascinating background of colonial and more recent Philippine history, O'Brien's vivid first-person narrative provides a unique perspective on the events leading up to the overthrow of the Marcos regime. His theology holds out the hope of a "liberation" that can break the continuing cycle of violence and hatred.
Reviews / Votes
"An extraordinary chronicle of the lives of contemporary saints and martyrs amid the poorest of the Philippine poor.... Niall O'Brien is a witness without stridency or ideological taint."--The New York Times Book Review "This inspirational, first-person account details the commonplace burdens and horrors of an exploited and neglected peasantry and lends insight into the continuing crisis in the Philippines."--Booklist "The force and beauty of Revolution from the Heart is that it was lived, for twenty years, by Father O'Brien, on the island of Negros. He was not only working for the people but with the people."--Helder Camara, Archbishop of RecifeMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 24 mm
Weight
678 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-504950-3 (9780195049503)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Niall oBrien
Revolution from the Heart
E-Book
12/1987
1st Edition
Oxford University Press
€49.99
Available for download
Person
About the Author:
Father Niall O'Brien has worked for over twenty years in the Philippines as a missionary priest and member of the Society of St. Columban. He was born in Dublin.
Father Niall O'Brien has worked for over twenty years in the Philippines as a missionary priest and member of the Society of St. Columban. He was born in Dublin.