‘John gave his life and health for his country’
Family, friends, religious leaders and politicians on all sides pay tribute as hero Hume laid to rest
JOHN Hume gave his life and his health to his country, his funeral heard yesterday.
Mourners were told that the former SDLP leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate saved the lives of others through his vision and work.
During his funeral at St Eugene’s Cathedral in Derry, the family man that the public didn’t see was also lauded as Mr Hume was described as a man who made his loved ones ‘laugh, dream and think’.
Fr Paul Farren said that Mr Hume gave his life for his country.
‘He focused on unity and peace, and giving that dignity to every person,’ he said. ‘We should never underestimate how difficult it was for John to cross the road and do what was intensely unpopular for the greater good.
‘Even in the darkest moments, when people would have been forgiven for having no hope, John made peace visible for others.
‘His vision revealed what could be, and with time and determination and single-mindedness and stubbornness, he convinced others that peace could be a reality.’
In his homily, Fr Farren said Mr Hume never lost faith in peace, nor faith in his ability to convince others that peace was the only way. ‘If ever you want to see a man who gave his life for his country, and his health, that man is John Hume. The world knows it,’ he said.
Fr Farren said that Mr Hume, 83, and his wife Pat have secured their place in the history of Ireland. ‘John being Ireland’s greatest,’ he said.
Messages were also read from former US president Bill Clinton, British prime minister Boris Johnson and U2 frontman Bono.
Among the dignitaries present were President Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, the North’s First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill.
Others included former SDLP leader Mark Durkan and current leader Colum Eastwood.
Mr Durkan and Mr Hume’s eldest daughter Therese led the readings, while singer Anne Marie Hickey was joined by organist Aidan Watkins and Frank Gallagher, who played the violin.
Prayers of the faithful were read by Mr Hume’s grandchildren, Dee, Aoibhe, Rachel and Una. A poem written by Aidan Hume, Mr Hume’s son, was read by John’s daughter, Mo Hume. Aidan, who is based in Boston, was not able to attend the funeral because of Covid-19 travel restrictions but he was there in spirit as his tearful sister Mo read his poignant tribute to her father.
‘You made us realise a border is just a line on a map. It’s in our hearts and minds where we need to bridge the gap,’ she said.
‘Through over 30 years of violence, hurt and unrelenting stress, those underlying conditions you never stopped trying to address.
‘I don’t think I ever said aloud how you made us all so incredibly proud. All you ever wanted was to make the world a better place.’
Pope Francis also paid tribute to Mr Hume. A statement from the Vatican said: ‘His Holiness Pope Francis was saddened to learn of the death of John Hume, and sends the assurance of his prayers to his family and to all who mourn his loss.
‘Mindful of the Christian faith that inspired John Hume’s untiring efforts to promote dialogue, reconciliation and peace among the people of Northern Ireland, his Holiness commends his noble soul to the loving mercy of Almighty God.’
A message from the Dalai Lama was also read during the service.
‘I was pleased to be able to meet John during one of my several visits to Northern Ireland,’ he said.
‘Indeed, his deep conviction in the power of dialogue and negotiations in resolving the problem in his homeland has been an example of non-violent resolution of issues.’
Derry musician Phil Coulter, a close friend of the peacemaker, played Mr Hume’s favourite song, The Town I Loved So Well, on the piano at the end of the service.
‘John being Ireland’s greatest’ ‘You made us all so incredibly proud’
Speaking before the funeral, Mr Eastwood said they were grateful to have had Mr Hume.
‘There is work to be done and John was always forward-thinking. He gave us the platform, he gave us the pathway, he gave us the opportunity to do this, free from violence,’ he said. ‘We have to keep going to build the shared island that we want.’
Arlene Foster described Mr Hume’s passing as a ‘sad day’.
‘I was reflecting that this has been a very difficult year for the SDLP with the loss of John Dallat and Seamus
Mallon. We are here to support colleagues and indeed the family,’ she said.
Outside, applause for gathered Derry folk spread to the limited number of mourners who had been able to attend the Mass, all the while Pat Hume held her focus on her husband’s wicker coffin as it was loaded into the hearse.
As the giant of the peace process was taken through cathedral gates on his final journey to the City Cemetery, mourners outside erupted in applause again.
And as the cortège turned right up Creggan Street, a uniformed veteran of the Irish Defence Forces, standing like a sentry, raised a salute. All around him people clapped – the sense of gratitude palpable.
Pat Hume, travelling in the black funeral car behind the hearse, lowered her window to acknowledge those on the roadside who had braved the rain to say their own personal thank you.