The selfless and devoted lifetime of Irish Catholic missionary Patrick James McGlinchey (1928-2018), who devoted himself to serving to Jeju residents, is properly remembered on the island — however little identified in the remainder of Korea.
That will quickly change with the discharge of a brand new documentary highlighting the priest and his legacy.
The 30-minute movie “Do You Know the Pig Priest of Jeju?” was amongst 22 winners of a video content material award organized by Arts Council Korea (ARKO). ARKO funded the undertaking and screened it Thursday on the Korean Movie Archive, together with different award-winning works.
“Once I visited Jeju for work final yr, I realized about him for the primary time. I used to be shocked that I had by no means heard of him and needed to inform his story,” mentioned Kwag Tae-gwan, a media artist who directed the documentary. “St. Isidore Farm is a well-liked place in Jeju and attracts many vacationers. I hope extra individuals will watch the movie and study in regards to the priest and the good issues he did for the island.”
Father McGlinchey, identified in Korea as Im P.J. arrived on Jeju in 1954 as a member of the Missionary Society of St. Columban. He spent the remainder of his life working to enhance the lives of native residents. He died in 2018 and was posthumously granted honorary Korean citizenship.
Father Patrick James McGlinchey in a scene from “Do you Know the Pig Priest of Jeju?” / Courtesy of Kwag Tae-gwan
The documentary opens with images of his arrival quickly after the 1950-53 Korean Warfare. Seeing the poverty Jeju residents had been dwelling in, McGlinchey helped them develop into self-sufficient by educating trendy farming strategies and inspiring cooperative work.
In 1961, he established St. Isidore Farm, the place he bred native pigs and distributed them to islanders to assist them earn a dwelling. The farm ultimately grew to accommodate greater than 1,000 pigs and lots of of cows and sheep, in line with the movie. Immediately, the farm stays in operation with cattle and native horses, and produces milk to assist fund a hospice facility.
McGlinchey additionally launched a weaving manufacturing facility utilizing wool, creating jobs for younger ladies who in any other case needed to depart the island for work. The manufacturing facility employed some 1,300 ladies.
His efforts didn’t cease there. He later based a neighborhood financial institution to make monetary providers extra accessible to islanders, adopted by an aged care facility that now supplies free take care of terminally ailing sufferers.
Individuals who knew the priest all admired his deep love for individuals and his perseverance.
“He endured many hardships however was decided to enhance the lives of Jeju residents. He achieved a lot, but by no means needed recognition, believing he was merely doing what God requested of him: to like others as God loves you,” one interviewee mentioned.
View of the care facility for terminally ailing sufferers based by Father Patrick James McGlinchey in a scene from the documentary “Do you Know the Pig Priest of Jeju?” / Courtesy of Kwag Tae-gwan
The director mentioned half-hour was far too brief to seize McGlinchey’s full story.
“I needed to minimize out so many components. I need to say thanks — and sorry — to those that shared their reminiscences with us in the course of the making of the documentary.”
After McGlinchey’s loss of life, fellow priest and veterinarian Michael Riordan took over management of St. Isidore Farm, persevering with McGlinchey’s mission.
The documentary might be accessible at @inmun360 on YouTube in early December, alongside different movies of the ARKO contest.
