Archbishop to be buried near home town

THE funeral Mass of Archbishop Michael Courtney, the murdered papal nuncio to the central African state of Burundi, takes place in his home town of Nenagh, Co Tipperary, today.

Hundreds of mourners are expected to attend the service at St Mary’s Church, Nenagh, at noon to pay their respects to the cleric.

Archbishop Courtney died in hospital after his diplomatic car came under fire from members of the rebel Forces for National Liberation last Monday about 25 miles from the Burundi capital, Bujumbura.