Menu
04/04/2005
Political and religious leaders pay tribute to Pope
Local political and religious leaders have paid tribute to Pope John Paul II who died at the weekend.
The 84-year-old Pontiff died on Saturday after battling with Parkinson’s disease over the past few years.
Secretary of State Paul Murphy expressed his “sincere sorrow” at the news, saying the Pope was a “wonderful example of compassion and humility”.
“His commitment to engage with Christians of all denominations and people of all faiths around the world was a practical demonstration of his personal belief. He was a great leader of the Catholic Church and a towering figure in 20th Century history,” Mr Murphy said.
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams said people throughout Ireland had a close affinity with Pope John Paul II.
"Although stricken with Parkinson’s Disease in recent years, Pope John Paul showed huge courage and determination as he continued to travel and to lead the Catholic Church worldwide,” Mr Adams said.
Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble said the Pope would be remembered for his time as a Cardinal in Poland and the Polish Catholic Church’s role in standing up to Communism.
“His 26 years pontificate will undoubtedly be seen as a memorable period for the Catholic Church, and so his passing will be a time of sadness for Roman Catholics across the world,” Mr Trimble added.
DUP leader and Free Presbyterian Minister, Ian Paisley added: “We can understand how Roman Catholics feel at the death of the Pope and we would want in no way to interfere with their expression of sorrow and grief at this time."
Religious leaders, meanwhile, also paid tribute to the Pope.
Archbishop Sean Brady, the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland, said Pope John Paul II was a "gentle teacher and a courageous leader".
Church of Ireland Primate Archbishop Robin Eames also conveyed his "deepest sympathy" to the Catholic Church in Ireland while Presbyterian Moderator Dr Ken Newell described the late Pope as a man of "great courage".
Books of condolence have been opened across Northern Ireland to allow people to write their own personal messages of respect for Pope John Paul II.
(MB/SP)
The 84-year-old Pontiff died on Saturday after battling with Parkinson’s disease over the past few years.
Secretary of State Paul Murphy expressed his “sincere sorrow” at the news, saying the Pope was a “wonderful example of compassion and humility”.
“His commitment to engage with Christians of all denominations and people of all faiths around the world was a practical demonstration of his personal belief. He was a great leader of the Catholic Church and a towering figure in 20th Century history,” Mr Murphy said.
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams said people throughout Ireland had a close affinity with Pope John Paul II.
"Although stricken with Parkinson’s Disease in recent years, Pope John Paul showed huge courage and determination as he continued to travel and to lead the Catholic Church worldwide,” Mr Adams said.
Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble said the Pope would be remembered for his time as a Cardinal in Poland and the Polish Catholic Church’s role in standing up to Communism.
“His 26 years pontificate will undoubtedly be seen as a memorable period for the Catholic Church, and so his passing will be a time of sadness for Roman Catholics across the world,” Mr Trimble added.
DUP leader and Free Presbyterian Minister, Ian Paisley added: “We can understand how Roman Catholics feel at the death of the Pope and we would want in no way to interfere with their expression of sorrow and grief at this time."
Religious leaders, meanwhile, also paid tribute to the Pope.
Archbishop Sean Brady, the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland, said Pope John Paul II was a "gentle teacher and a courageous leader".
Church of Ireland Primate Archbishop Robin Eames also conveyed his "deepest sympathy" to the Catholic Church in Ireland while Presbyterian Moderator Dr Ken Newell described the late Pope as a man of "great courage".
Books of condolence have been opened across Northern Ireland to allow people to write their own personal messages of respect for Pope John Paul II.
(MB/SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 July 2010
'No Pope Here' Says Paisley
Former Stormont First Minister and ex-DUP leader, Ian Paisley has said it was a "mistake" to invite Pope Benedict XVI to Britain. He told the BBC that His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI should not be invited to the UK at all.
'No Pope Here' Says Paisley
Former Stormont First Minister and ex-DUP leader, Ian Paisley has said it was a "mistake" to invite Pope Benedict XVI to Britain. He told the BBC that His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI should not be invited to the UK at all.
08 April 2005
NI tunes into Pope's funeral
Thousands of people across Northern Ireland today tuned into television coverage of the funeral of Pope John Paul II. Churches throughout the country also showed the procession on large TV screens of the 84-year-old pontiff who died last Saturday.
NI tunes into Pope's funeral
Thousands of people across Northern Ireland today tuned into television coverage of the funeral of Pope John Paul II. Churches throughout the country also showed the procession on large TV screens of the 84-year-old pontiff who died last Saturday.
01 April 2005
Archbishop urges Catholics to pray for Pope
The Archbishop of Armagh has urged Catholics to pray "fervently" for Pope John Paul II. Speaking outside Armagh Cathedral, Dr Sean Brady praised the Pontiff and described him as a “great teacher of the church”. He said: "Any time I met him he was always anxious to inquire about Ireland, and the people of Ireland. He knows our history.
Archbishop urges Catholics to pray for Pope
The Archbishop of Armagh has urged Catholics to pray "fervently" for Pope John Paul II. Speaking outside Armagh Cathedral, Dr Sean Brady praised the Pontiff and described him as a “great teacher of the church”. He said: "Any time I met him he was always anxious to inquire about Ireland, and the people of Ireland. He knows our history.
22 August 2018
Pope's Visit To Ireland 'Opportunity For Victims' To Address Issues - SF
The visit of Pope Francis to Ireland this weekend has been welcomed as "an opportunity to meet victims and address issues", by Sinn Féin Deputy Leader Michelle O'Neill. Ms O'Neill had intended to attend Dublin Castle and the mass in Phoenix Park this weekend, however, the Sinn Féin MLA has suffered a broken leg and will no longer be able to attend.
Pope's Visit To Ireland 'Opportunity For Victims' To Address Issues - SF
The visit of Pope Francis to Ireland this weekend has been welcomed as "an opportunity to meet victims and address issues", by Sinn Féin Deputy Leader Michelle O'Neill. Ms O'Neill had intended to attend Dublin Castle and the mass in Phoenix Park this weekend, however, the Sinn Féin MLA has suffered a broken leg and will no longer be able to attend.
17 August 2018
Presbyterian Church Leader To Attend State Reception For Pope
The head of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Reverend Charles McMullen, is to attend the State reception for Pope Francis in Dublin Castle next week. The Presbyterian Moderator has accepted an invitation from the Irish Government to attend the event on Saturday, 25 August.
Presbyterian Church Leader To Attend State Reception For Pope
The head of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Reverend Charles McMullen, is to attend the State reception for Pope Francis in Dublin Castle next week. The Presbyterian Moderator has accepted an invitation from the Irish Government to attend the event on Saturday, 25 August.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
