Hundreds attend funeral of Bishop Edward Daly

Hundreds of mourners gathered at St Eugene’s Cathedral yesterday to pay their final respects to former Bishop of Derry, Dr Edward Daly.

Both political and religious leaders filled the pews alongside the local people he dedicated his life to serving. 

Irish president Michael D Higgins, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, former SDLP leader John Hume, Foyle MP Mark Durkan, veteran civil rights campaigner Ivan Cooper, musician Phil Coulter, members of the Bloody Sunday families and the Queen’s representative Lord Lieutenant of Derry Angela Garvey were among those in attendance.

The funeral Mass was celebrated by Bishop Donal McKeown who described Dr. Daly as a champion of peace:

“A key element of his peacebuilding was his growing friendship with other church leaders. In his early years as Bishop, he accepted the ground-breaking invitation to attend the consecration of the young Bishop Robin Eames.

“He then had a long friendship with Bishop James Mehaffey, who became bishop here in 1980. Their courageous work and real friendship were key factors in building up relationships across the diocese.

“They attended as many events and occasions as possible together, as a mark of unity and a sign of hope. Today, we are immensely grateful for that legacy.”

A photograph of Bishop Daly waving a white handkerchief while leading a group carrying the fatally injured teenager Jackie Duddy during Bloody Sunday has become one of the most enduring images of the Troubles.

Bishop McKeown said his courage was a testament to his dedication to the local people:

“His ministry was marked by total dedication to the people he served, wherever he was called to minister. That dedication was visible in outstanding courage.

“He showed physical courage on Bloody Sunday and his moral courage was evident in his passionate struggle against violence and injustice from all quarters.

“It takes enormous courage to be a peacemaker and he was an apostle of mercy, whether as a curate, as a bishop or as chaplain in the Foyle Hospice. For that courageous service of God and of his people, we give thanks today. We have all been blessed by it.”

A representative for Pope Francis read a message of condolence at the beginning of the service:

“Recalling Bishop Daly’s generous and dedicated episcopal ministry in the service of peace and justice, His Holiness joins you in prayerful thanksgiving for his life and in commending his soul to the merciful love of God Our Father.”

Archbishop Eamon Martin described him as a great and beloved priest and recalled an incident with a young boy:

“'Hey Mister are you a priest?' That young boy's question may have lodged in Father Daly's memory, but there was never any doubt that Edward Daly was a great priest, a caring and compassionate pastor, a man of prayer and peace, a courageous and fearless leader, a special person.

“Saint John Vianney once described priesthood as 'the love of the heart of Jesus'.

“For almost sixty years we have been privileged to have that love shine among us in the life, ministry and service of Edward Daly, priest and bishop.”

Derry City footballers and staff from Foyle Hospice, where bishop Daly served as Chaplain, were among those who formed a guard of honour at the door of the cathedral.

Mourners both inside the church and in the grounds broke into spontaneous applause as Dr Daly’s remains were carried outside for burial.

He was laid to rest alongside his predecessor, Bishop Neil Farren, within the grounds of St Eugene’s Cathedral.