Cardinal to lie in state in Belfast cathedral

The former head of the Catholic Church in Ireland, Cardinal Cahal Daly, will lie in state tomorrow in the cathedral closely linked to his ministry.

Politicians and church leaders paid tribute to the 92-year-old retired cleric, who died last night in Belfast City Hospital where he was being treated after falling seriously ill with a heart condition five days ago.

Cardinal Daly was Archbishop of Armagh and Catholic Primate of all Ireland from 1990 until 1996, but tomorrow his body will lie in state in St Peter’s Cathedral in west Belfast where he was based for much of his career.

Leading politicians have praised Cardinal Daly for helping to nurture the peace process and improve community relations in Northern Ireland.

The current Catholic Primate, Cardinal Sean Brady, led tributes to his predecessor.

He said: “At a critical and troubled time in Irish history, he was prophetic in his conviction that lasting peace can only be built on justice, mutual understanding and respect for the traditions and aspirations of others.

“He was firm and courageous in his absolute rejection of violence as a means of achieving political ends.

“With leaders of other Christian traditions, his work for reconciliation helped to create the environment and principles upon which a lasting political accommodation was eventually reached.”

Cardinal Daly’s term in office was a period of Irish history dominated by the violence of the Troubles.

He had served as Bishop in the Down and Connor area from 1982-90, a diocese which includes Belfast.

The Cardinal’s body will arrive at St Peter’s Cathedral in the west of the city at noon tomorrow where Mass will be celebrated and he will lie in state until 9pm.

On Sunday the current Bishop of Down and Connor, Noel Treanor, will lead a prayer service at 3pm before the Cardinal’s body is taken to St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh, Ireland’s ecclesiastical capital, where his funeral Mass will take place at noon on Tuesday.

Born in Co Antrim, Cardinal Daly was an outspoken critic of violence, and particularly of the IRA.

He took on the post of Catholic Primate at the age of 73 and was a surprise choice for the position, but became a prominent figure.

He retired in October 1996, when Cardinal Brady took over the role, and returned to his study of philosophy.

His later years in office had coincided with revelations of child sex abuse cases involving members of the Catholic clergy in Ireland.

As the controversy grew, Cardinal Daly denied there had been a cover-up of abuse cases and guidelines were introduced for Bishops in the Church shortly before he left office on the grounds of his age.

Cardinal Daly was renowned as a prolific author and has had many philosophical papers and books published.

Presbyterian Moderator Dr Stafford Carson said: “Completely and totally opposed to violence, he was an outspoken critic of the armed campaign of the IRA and recognised that any future arrangements for the governance of Northern Ireland had to involve Unionist and Nationalist, Protestant and Catholic in order to create a community in which everyone could feel at home.”

Sinn Féin’s Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness expressed his condolences and said: “It is no secret during the conflict that Republicans and Cardinal Daly never enjoyed a close relationship.

“However, in the course of recent years I met with him on numerous occasions, all of which were friendly and warm encounters.”

President Mary McAleese said: “Cardinal Cahal Daly had a long and distinguished career and will be fondly remembered by many people on this island.”

Taoiseach Brian Cowen said Cardinal Daly had made a huge contribution to both the Catholic Church and civic society in Ireland.

Former British prime minister Tony Blair, who helped broker the Good Friday peace agreement in the North in 1998, praised the Cardinal’s contribution to ending violence.

He said: “He made a significant contribution to delivering peace as he worked to break down barriers between communities.”

Church of Ireland Primate Alan Harper said: “During the most challenging of times, the Cardinal gave wise and courageous leadership both as Bishop of Down and Connor and subsequently as Archbishop of Armagh.”

The Democratic Unionist Party’s Arlene Foster extended her sympathy to Cardinal Daly’s family circle.

“Whilst I had many differences with the Cardinal in both political and theological matters I pay tribute to his consistent opposition to the use of violence,” she said.

“His passing has undoubtedly left many within the Roman Catholic community and beyond deeply saddened and we recognise their immense grief at this time.”