A message from the Dalai Lama was read out at the funeral mass of John Hume today at St Eugene’s Cathedral.
The Dalai Lama said: “I am sorry to learn about the passing of John Hume. I would like to offer my condolences to you and the members of the family.
“I was pleased to be able to meet John during one of my several visits to Northern Ireland.
“Indeed, his deep conviction in the power of dialogue and negotiations in resolving the problem in his homeland has been an example of non-violent resolution of issues.
“It was his leadership and his faith in the power of negotiations that enabled the 1998 Good Friday Agreement to be reached.
“His steady persistence set an example for all of us to follow.
“Although my fellow Nobel laureate is no longer with us, his message about peace and nonviolence in the resolution of conflict, no matter how protracted or difficult it may seem to be, will long survive him.
“He lived a truly meaningful life.”
Tags: