Nun Confronts Bombers

Jan 13 2008

A NUN who confronted armed thugs at her Kenyan convent said yesterday her tough Scots upbringing had helped her.

Jean McCann, known as Sister Placida, said she was angry after local newspapers described her as "terrified" during the confrontation.

Thugs threatened to firebomb the convent where she was sheltering 1500 refugees from post-election riots. But the 47-year-old nun insisted: "A Scot is never terrified - we get worried sometimes.

"It was tough growing up in Greenock. There were gangs there also. They never burned down houses but they were quick enough to chib you. With that experience you're ready for anything."

Sister Placida, the eldest of seven children, has been in Africa for 18 years.

For the past seven, she has been based at a convent in the Motobo slum district of the south-western city of Kericho.

She runs the educational side of the Life and Hope project where nuns treat AIDS patients.

Sister Placida's widowed mum, Bridget, 72, who lives in Greenock, said: "Deep down in my heart I knew she would be fine.

"The family pray that Jean remains safe but if something should happen to her we would accept it as God's will.

"These past weeks there have been extra prayers."