POPE Francis has sent a personal message of condolence to the family of the late Bishop of Derry Edward Kevin Daly.
Requiem Mass was held this afternoon at 3.30 pm at St Eugene’s Cathedral in Derry for the Most Rev Daly.
The 82-year-old passed away peacefully on Monday at Alnagelvin Hospital in the city after a battle with illness.
Mass was officiated by the Bishop of Derry Most Reverend Donal McKeown.
Scores of clergy from across Ireland attend the service along many dignitaries including John Hume, Ivan Cooper, Martin McGuinness and President of Ireland Michael D Higgins.
A message from Pope Francis was read out to the packed congregation by a Papal emissary saying that he joined in “prayerful thanksgiving” for his life.
He described the former bishop as leading a “generous and dedicated episcopal ministry in the service of peace and justice”.
The message said: ” I send my heartfelt condolences to his family, to the clergy and also to the lay faithful of the diocese.
“His Holiness joins in prayerful thanksgiving for his life and in commending his soul to the merciful love of God our Father.”
Bishop Donal McKeown told the packed congregation that Dr Edward Daly showed “enormous courage to be a peacemaker” and that he was “an apostle of mercy”.
“He showed physical courage on Bloody Sunday and his moral courage was evident in his passionate struggle against violence and injustice from all quarters,” he says.
He added: “It was a privilege to stand here at the door to this Cathedral over the past three days and to hear innumerable stories invaluable acts of kindnesss big and small.
“The people held him in the highest regards over a period of 59 years as a priest and bishop.”
He described Dr Daly’s life as “a total dedication to all he served’.
“He showed tremendous physical courage on Bloody Sunday under a hail of bullets… and build a peace worthy of this city and this country.
“Today, we come to hand Edward back into the hands of the Lord. We commend to the free and abundant grace at the hands of Jesus.”
Bishop McKeown said the crowds of people who came to visit the repose of his remains at the catheral over the three previous days “valued his loving, courage and spiritual leadership.”
“He would ask more young people to dedicate their lives to this service which was so much appreciated.”
The Bishop concluded the funeral service, saying: “Eward Kevin Daly, your time of faithful service is over.
“You have fought the good fight, you have run the race, you have kept the faith.”
Following Requiem Mass, Dr Daly was being laid to rest near to the door of St Eugene’s Cathedral.
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