Thousands paid their last respects to Cardinal Cahal Daly, who once served as the Catholic Primate of All-Ireland, as his body was taken from St. Peter's Cathedral in Belfast in to St. Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh, Northern Ireland, on January 4.
More than 60 clergy, including priests, bishops and cardinals, accompanied the coffin, as it left St. Peter's after the Mass for the Dead. Cardinal Daly's coffin was carried to the door of St Patrick's Cathedral by captains of the Gaelic Athletic Association from Armagh, and into the church by six priests. His remains will lie in state until his funeral on January 5.
Pope Benedict sent a message to current Cardinal Sean Baptist Brady, Archbishop of Armagh, saying "Cardinal Daly's long years of devoted pastoral service to the Church as priest, bishop and primate of all Ireland, his assistance as a member of the College of Cardinals, and especially his sustained efforts in the promotion of justice and peace in Northern Ireland".
Archbishop Vincent Nichols of England said "Catholics in England Wales will today be mourning the death of Cardinal Cahal Daly. He is warmly remembered as an outstanding leader, a most kind and courteous person, a fine scholar and a man who appreciated all that is best in Irish culture. Most of all he worked tirelessly for peace in Ireland especially in the darkest years of the violence.
"Bishops in England and Wales will remember the occasion on which he came to speak with us and explained with profound insight and humanity the root causes of the sectarian conflicts. His contribution to peace was outstanding."
RSS