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Accused brother was education pioneer


`A deceased Clarecastle Christian Brother, who has been accused of sexual abuse in RTÉ’ Mission to Prey documentary, pioneered the first secondary school for “coloured” children in Athlone, Cape Town, South Africa in 1960.
Br Gerard Dillon educated “coloured” pupils in CBC Pretoria during the height of the Apartheid discrimination. Br Dillon, who died in December 17, 2005, after almost 60 years of missionary work, paid the price when the South African Government kicked the school out of the sports league. He made such an impression, a plaque dedicated to his memory was erected on the school grounds.
One of a family of five of the late Peter and Elizabeth Dillon, he was educated locally and joined the congregation of Christian Brothers in Ireland on July 15, 1937. While training in England for missionary work, he completed a BA degree, which was awarded in 1945.
The following year he went to South Africa where he joined the Brothers at St Gabriel’s in Pretoria, where he remained until 1952 before moving to St John’s in Cape Town.
He spent nearly 30 years in Cape Town before returning to Pretoria to the new campus at Mount Edmund. In 1982, he became principal of the junior school until 1988 when he retired from full-time teaching.
During the intervening years, he served at a number of Christian Brothers’ schools around South Africa and was superior of the community and principal of Athlone in Cape Town from 1964 to 1969 and of Boksburg from 1975 to 1980.
His funeral was attended by the Irish ambassador to South Africa, Mr Corr, and the minister of the Argentinean embassy.
In the mass homily, Brother Gerard Beakey stated the deceased was usually silent about his successes but on occasions, he related his love for teaching. On other occasions, he acknowledged his love for his fellow brothers and his life in South Africa.
Brother Beakey said past pupils would remember him for his dedication and gentlemanliness, his love and consideration for all his students and his colleagues, his excellence in coaching, rugby and, above all, his devotion and love for our Blessed Lady and the Church.

 

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