Lasting peace should be Daly's legacy, mourners told

Archbishop of Armagh Cardinal Sean Brady said his predecessor prayed tirelessly for peace.

“I am certain that a reconciled, stable and sustainable future would be the best monument you could build to his memory,” he said.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen, President Mary McAleese, Northern Secretary Shaun Woodward and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness were among those who attended the 90-minute ceremony. Representatives of the other denominations were also present.

Mrs McAleese and her husband, Martin, comforted relatives before dozens of white-robed clergymen paraded solemnly to the altar for the Mass.

Cardinal Brady said his fellow cleric worked and prayed tirelessly for mutual understanding, peace and reconciliation and his support for politics was well-known.

“The hopes and dreams of so many depend on you. Remain steadfast in the search for a brighter future for all,” he said.

“Remember the distance you have already travelled together. Continue to work together to address social, economic and environmental challenges and thereby create the kind of country which Cardinal Daly and so many others yearned to see.”

Cardinal Daly was Archbishop of Armagh and Catholic Primate of all Ireland from 1990 until 1996.

Cardinal Brady said it was a consolation to welcome so many representatives from other Christian traditions to the imposing cathedral.

“To be bound by the common baptism, he used to say, is to be related to a fellow Christian as sister and brother,” he added.

In 1973 he worked with other Christian leaders in the search for peace. A report they prepared set out principles for non-violence. He remained adamant that justice, mutual respect and purely peaceful means were the only way forward, Cardinal Brady said.

“Our task today is to continue along the path of mercy and to tackle all remnants of sectarianism in our midst,” he added.

Among those present were former SDLP leader John Hume; former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds; Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams; current SDLP leader Mark Durkan; Fine Gael former Taoiseach John Bruton; the North's former Police Ombudsman Nuala O’Loan; the North's Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie and former Church of Ireland primate Robin Eames.

DUP leader and First Minister Peter Robinson, who has been dealing with family issues, sent a message of condolence. DUP ministers Sammy Wilson and Arlene Foster are understood to have visited Cardinal Brady before the funeral.

An overnight illness prevented Presbyterian moderator Dr Stafford Carson from attending and he was instead represented by former moderator Dr Sam Hutchinson.

Cardinal Daly’s term in high office was a period 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.

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 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 Brady said: “Cardinal Daly would have been well aware that the next steps on that pilgrim journey for the Catholic Church in Ireland will be among the most critical and challenging of its history.

“The abuse of children and its shameful mismanagement by those charged by God to protect his little ones have wrought such damage on those who were abused.

“It has caused such justified anger and outrage on the part of the faithful and damaged trust so profoundly in the integrity of the leaders of the Church.

“No one can doubt the Catholic Church in Ireland is now at a defining moment in its history.”

He said the way forward would require complete commitment to the path initiated by Cardinal Daly of working with the civil authorities to ensure accountability in safeguarding children.

A message to the more than 1,000 mourners was read out from Pope Benedict.

“I recall 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,” he said.

A red cardinal’s hat and bible were placed on the coffin during Mass and later a huge bunch of white lilies.

Part of the Mass was said in French in reference to the late cardinal’s love of that country. He led pilgrimages to Lourdes and some of the pilgrims were there to pay their final respects today.

Knights of St Columbanus with green tunics, medals and ceremonial swords were also present.

The cardinal attended the milestone Second Vatican Council which transformed Catholic Church practices as an adviser to his predecessor, the late Cardinal William Conway.

The renewal of the Church set out by the council became the dominant theme of his pastoral ministry and teaching, Cardinal Brady said. A former lecturer at Queen’s University Belfast in scholastic philosophy, he pioneered programmes of theology for lay people which prepared for their increased participation in the work of the Church.

He was also aware of the importance of including women.

Among his other passions was our “fragile and precarious” home, Cardinal Brady added, and environmental concerns were notable.

“Cardinal Daly was a prophetic, renewing and transforming figure in a time of immense change in the history of this island,” he added.

At the graveside, Mrs McAleese again comforted tearful relatives and clergymen sang as the coffin was interred close to the Cathedral.