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WARM TRIBUTE was paid to the late Cardinal Cahal Day at the annual world day of peace Mass which took place at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Dublin’s Donnybrook yesterday.
In attendance were three former taoisigh, representatives of the President, the Taoiseach, the Oireachtas, judiciary, diplomatic corps, Dublin City Council, papal orders and local parishes.
In his homily Donnybrook parish priest Fr Martin Clarke said “I was privileged to know this extraordinary churchman whose singular commitment to peace on this island was tireless and consistent, often working behind the scenes to achieve the peace we now enjoy. He was not just a peace-lover but also a peace-maker.”
Fr Clarke noted that “in the beatitudes, Jesus says ‘blessed are the peacemakers, they shall be called children of God’. But as one commentator noted, ‘the blessing is on the peace-makers, not necessarily on the peace-lovers’. ”
He said: “It is easy to become despondent when we hear endless reports of unresolved conflict in so many locations. But we must surely recognise the peace that has been achieved and sustained in so many parts of the world.
“The European Union, for instance, is an extraordinary testament to the determination of countries ravaged by two world wars to ensure that such events will never happen again.
“And here on this island of Ireland, the enduring success of the Northern Ireland peace process . . . remind us that, with perseverance, seemingly intractable conflict can be resolved.” He continued: “Every Christian has an obligation not only to pray for peace but also to make his or her contribution to the establishment of peace on earth . . . deepen understanding and offer forgiveness.”
The attendance included President Mary McAleese’s aide-de-comp, the Taoiseach’s aide-de-comp and Minister for Social and Family Affairs Mary Hanafin.
Also there were the Minister of State for European Affairs Dick Roche, Minister of State for Agriculture Trevor Sargent and Lord Mayor of Dublin Cllr Emer Costello.