Bishop Michael Router launched ‘Week of Witness’ in St Patrick's Cathedral Armagh on Sunday and invited Christians to stand in solidarity with the "heroic example of our persecuted brothers and sisters in faith across the world".

Bishop Phonsie Cullinan of Waterford and Lismore describes the lives of Fr Rufus Halley and Fr Des Hartford as “a sign to us all that dialogue is absolutely necessary”.

“This Muslim leader learned from these two Columbans the value of love and forgiveness and this brought a radical change to his life and a new and more life-giving interpretation of the Koran.”

Joe Little of RTÉ launched the book about Columban priests Fr Des Hartford and Fr Rufus Halley’s efforts to foster peace between Muslims and Christians in the Philippines.