Thank you for a life well lived
Son leads mourners at peacemaker’s funeral service We were looking for a great leader and found a great servant. We found John Hume BONO MESSAGE READ AT YESTERDAY’S FUNERAL SERVICE
JUST 120 mourners gathered inside St Eugene’s Cathedral in Derry for the funeral of John Hume yesterday,
It was a simple affair. A wicker coffin, simple messages of love and thanks, and the voices of the choir reaching the rafters.
In the coronavirus era, there could be no State funeral or great fanfare.
And while the mourners included ministers and dignitaries from across the island of Ireland, this was very much a family service.
Mr Hume’s unflinching work for peace, his historic successes and global awards were all recalled, but it was his partnership with his wife Pat that was remembered as his “greatest achievement”.
His son John Jnr told of his parents’ love from the moment they met in a ballroom in Muff, Co Donegal, more than 60 years earlier.
He spoke of his dad’s sweet tooth and described his unwavering passion for Derry and Donegal.
KINDNESS
And he thanked the public for their kindness towards his father when the stresses of political life gave way to the complications of failing health.
Mr Hume Jnr said: “When people stopped to talk to him in the street every day, guided him to protect his independence, and received him with gentleness if he was agitated, it was a profound gift to all of us.
“We are eternally grateful to all those that helped over the years.”
Mr Hume Jnr also thanked the staff of Owen Mor care home in Derry, where his father spent his final years.
He explained: “The care he received in the last years of his life allowed him to retain his dignity, individuality and his magnificent strength of character, despite his overwhelming disabilities. It allowed him to overcome,
“If my father were here, he would be urging us to look at those young carers and the incredible and heroic daily work they do as a model for future leadership, their ethos of deep respect.
“These are the foundation stones critical to all communities. The Rev Martin Luther King might describe it as the politics of love.
“Dad would be urging us to listen, so in spite of it all – we shall overcome. Thank you dad for a life well lived.”
Following the former SDLP leader’s death on Monday, the public had been asked to stay home in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.
But a few dozen mourners gathered yesterday on Infirmary Road overlooking the Cathedral and despite the rain, remained resolute in their determination to see the service through from a distance.
Inside the cathedral Fr Paul Farren addressed mourners, reflecting on the incredible legacy Mr Hume leaves behind and how he made peace visible for others who
couldn’t see it. He said: “He gave dignity and he gave life to so many people. In a time in our world when often small mindedness and self-focus seems to be the driver John never put anybody or any specific group first.
“He put everybody first. He didn’t focus on difference and division. He focused on unity and peace and giving that dignity to every person.
“We should never underestimate how difficult it was for John to cross the road and do what was intensely unpopular for the greater good.
“It was compassion that bubbled over in the cemetery in Greysteel that drove him on the final and often lonely and always difficult road to peace.
“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 peace could be a reality. He never lost faith in peace and he never lost 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.”
As Mr Hume’s family and friends watched the service online from all corners of the globe, they heard once more how warmly he was held in the hearts of the most diverse people. Bishop Donal Mckeown addressed mourners with a message
from Pope Francis who had been saddened to learn of Mr Hume’s death and sent the assurance of his prayers to his family and to all who mourn his loss.
And a message from the Dalai Lama a fellow peacemaker and a Nobel laureate, was read to the congregation.
He said: “I was pleased to be able to meet John during one of my several visits to Northern Ireland. 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.
“Although my fellow Nobel laureate is no longer with us, his message about peace and non-violence in the resolution of conflict, no matter how protracted or difficult it may seem to be, will long survive him. He lived a truly meaningful life.” It was followed by a message from Bono who said: “We were looking for a giant and found a man whose life made all our lives bigger.
“We were looking for some superpowers and found clarity of thought, kindness and persistence. We were looking for revolution and found it in parish halls with tea and biscuits and late night meetings under fluorescence. We were looking for a negotiator who understood that no-one wins unless everyone wins... and that peace is the only victory.
“We were looking for joy and heard it in the song of a man who loved his town so well and his missus even more. We were looking for a great leader and found a great servant. We found John Hume.”
As the service came to an end and the family and dignitaries made their way outside, applause erupted as the coffin was placed in a hearse.
Shouts of ‘Thank you John,’ were heard as the cortege prepared to leave.
Trevor Holmes, 66, from the Bogside brought his daughter Lauren, 36, to watch from afar.
He said: “I witnessed the terrible housing, the unemployment and I witnessed the changes John brought. We will carry that legacy.”
Colum Eastwood, leader of the SDLP, the party Mr Hume co-founded, said: “This is not a day we wanted. This would have no doubt been a State funeral for a great statesman.
“But it wasn’t to be. John would’ve been the first to say do not gather for me, stay safe. That’s all he ever wanted – for people to be happy and safe.”
As the service ended and the coffin was carried from the cathedral another celebrated son of Derry played Mr Hume’s favourite song – The Town I Loved So Well.