Generous tributes were paid yesterday to campaigning human rights priest Monsignor Denis Faul who died yesterday in the Bon Secours Hospital Dublin. He had been diagnosed with cancer in October.
His remains will be removed this evening for reception at 7pm at the Church of St Columcille, Carrickmore, Co Tyrone, where he was parish priest. He will be buried tomorrow after 12 o'clock Mass in the same church.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern described Msgr Faul as a determined and courageous man who was devoted to peace and justice and continually spoke out against violence across all communities.
Tánaiste Mary Harney described him as an honourable man whose often controversial public comments reflected his strongly-held opposition to violence. He was principled and fearless, she said .
Archbishop Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, said Msgr Faul had "stood up for what he believed in, stood up for the distraught, no matter what their class, religion or background".
Archbishop Robin Eames said he had always regarded Msgr Faul as a man of integrity and spiritual strength. A statement from the Presbyterian Church said Msgr Faul's willingness to take risks for what he believed to be right was admired by many "whose thoughts he echoed when speaking out strongly and courageously against what was wrong and evil in our society."
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said Msgr Faul had left a lasting legacy for all who continued to work to build a peaceful and stable future for Northern Ireland.
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams expressed regret over his death. "Although Irish republicans and Fr Faul seriously differed, particularly around the 1981 hunger strike, he nonetheless played a pivotal role in the 1970s and 1980s in highlighting human rights abuses by the British state".
SDLP leader Mark Durkan said Mgr Faul was a tireless champion of peace and justice. "He was a fearless opponent of all violence and a staunch challenger of any injustice that he saw. He was a man of great courage and integrity, as well as of deep faith."
DUP chairman and Assembly member Lord Morrow said: "The death of Denis Faul marks the passing of a man who was never prepared to shy away from the difficult issues of the day. "
Founding member of the SDLP Austin Currie said: "Msgr Faul will rightly be remembered by most for the courageous part he played in ending the hunger strikes and thereby saving lives."
Former Ulster Unionist security spokesman Lord (Ken) Maginnis recalled asking him why after such a long clerical career he didn't retire and accept the position of parish priest of Carrickmore: "'Ken', he said to me, 'You wouldn't understand this, but you're not really a priest until you've got PP on your headstone'."
