Pope’s condolences at the death of former Irish Primate

(January 4, 2010) Pope Benedict XVI has expressed his sadness at the death of Irish Cardinal Cahal Daly praising him for his work in building peace in Northern Ireland. The former head of the Roman Catholic Church on the island of Ireland and outspoken critic of the mainly Catholic Irish Republican Army (IRA) that fought British control of Northern Ireland, died on New Year’s eve at the age of 92, after treatment at the coronary intensive care unit of the City Hospital in Belfast. In a message, Pope Benedict expressed his condolences to the late cardinal’s family, fellow clergy and all the people of Ireland. The Pope recalled with gratitude 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. Cardinal Daly’s funeral service will be held in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh, on Tuesday, following which he will be buried in the Cathedral grounds.