Archbishop Brady: The Roman Catholic Primate of All-Ireland and Archbishop of Armagh led mourning yesterday for Pope John Paul, whom he described as "a witness to hope and a champion of life".
Dr Sean Brady, accompanied by the Bishop of Clogher, Dr Joseph Duffy, and the Bishop of Dromore, Dr John McAreavey, said Catholics privately and collectively would mourn the loss of a loving pastor, a gentle teacher and a courageous leader.
Speaking before celebrating Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh, Dr Brady said: "We thank God on this Easter morning for his holy life, his inspiring example and his unfailing affection for Ireland and the Irish people."
In a detailed tribute he described the late pontiff as "a man of our time" who was not afraid to challenge the culture and values of our age.
"He gave it reasons for living and reasons for hope. He was also ahead of our time in his message of global solidarity, his vision of a civilisation of love among all the people and nations of the world, in his respect for the human person and, to the very moment of his death, in his powerful witness to the Gospel of life."
The three bishops, representing the entire Irish Bishops' Conference, offered the condolences of the Irish Catholic Church to the people of Poland and Poles living in Ireland.
"As Poland's Cardinal Wyszynski said on the election of the late Pope: 'Rejoice Poland for you have been asked to give the finest of your sons, one who has grown to maturity amid the trials and suffering of our nation.' Today, with justifiable pride, they give that son back to his loving creator," said Dr Brady.
Referring to Pope John Paul's papacy, he added: "The legacy of Pope John Paul II for both the church and the world will be immense. It will include his deep reverence for human life in all its stages, his solidarity with those who suffer around the world, his immense intellectual capacity evidence in the extent of his writing and teaching, his love of the Eucharist, his love of the Mother of God and of the church."
Dr Brady said he believed the serenity of the Pope's death was "rooted in his life of frequent prayer and contemplation".
"His deep and intimate relationship with Christ was the source of his great calm and courage in the face of so many challenges, not least the physical challenges of his later years. He often repeated the words of Jesus: 'Do not be afraid'."
Referring to the Pope's pilgrimages, Dr Brady said he was motivated by a desire to bring "the strength and unity of Peter to his Catholic flock across the world".
Dr Brady said the Pope was always anxious "to hold out the hand of friendship and solidarity to people of every culture, language and creed".
"We remember with particular gratitude this morning his visit to our own country in 1979, a visit which had hoped he would have been able to complete later this year. But alas the Lord has called him on another journey."