A CARDINAL'S CAREER:THE LATE Cardinal Daly was a courageous advocate of peace, the President has said.
Leading tributes from State and political figures throughout Ireland and Britain, Mary McAleese said: “Cardinal Cahal Daly had a long and distinguished career and will be fondly remembered by many people on this island.
“He showed immense courage in his efforts to advocate for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Northern Ireland, and he was deeply committed to inter-church relations.
“He was an outstanding scholar and writer, and maintained his academic interests right up to the time of his death.”
Taoiseach Brian Cowen described Cardinal Daly as a man of great intellect and humanity.
He described him as a brilliant teacher and academic who had a great love of learning and was “an inspirational lecturer”.
“Cardinal Daly was a trenchant supporter of peace,” the Taoiseach said. “He was a member of the New Ireland Forum and later the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation. He was an outspoken critic of those who used violence to achieve political objectives. He gave strong backing to the emerging peace process in Northern Ireland and determinedly used his influence in every way he could to bring about a peaceful solution.”
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny also spoke warmly of the former Catholic primate. “He was a celebrated ecclesiast who played a central role in resolving the Northern Ireland conflict. Cardinal Daly and his Christian colleagues strove tirelessly for peace and sanity in the midst of great turmoil in the North.
“I met Cardinal Daly on a number of occasions and always found him very proud of his church.”
Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness admitted that Dr Daly and the Republican movement had never been politically close. “However, in the course of recent years, I met with him on numerous occasions – all of which were friendly and warm encounters,” the Deputy First Minister said.
“So it was with genuine sadness that I learned of his passing at hospital in Belfast. I would wish to extend my condolences to Cardinal Daly’s family, friends and colleagues within the church at this sad time.”
Northern Secretary Shaun Woodward said: “The passing of Cardinal Daly will be deeply mourned by people. His life was and will remain an inspiration to so many,” he said.
Former British prime minister Tony Blair said: “Cardinal Daly made a significant contribution to delivering peace as he worked to break down barriers between communities.” He added: “His life is a real and lasting example of effective religious leadership working to build peace and resolve conflict in the most challenging of circumstances.”
SDLP deputy leader Alasdair McDonnell said he was deeply saddened at the passing of Cardinal Daly. “I saw him as one of the great intellects of his generation but also a man who, despite his great intellect, retained a wonderful humility.
“I valued him as a friend and enjoyed every conversation I ever had with him.” He said his legacy was as “the man who held up the beacon of peace, honesty and integrity throughout 30 or more difficult years. He was never afraid to express an honest assessment of the political situation, regardless of who might disagree.
“I extend my sympathy to his brother Paddy and sister-in-law Barbara as well as the wider Daly family.”
DUP Minister Arlene Foster extended her sympathy to Cardinal Daly’s family.
“Whilst I had many differences with the cardinal in both political and theological matters, I pay tribute to his consistent opposition to the use of violence,” she said. “His passing has undoubtedly left many within the Roman Catholic community and beyond deeply saddened and we recognise their immense grief at this time.”