BISHOP WAS ‘A MAN OF HIS PEOPLE’
MESSAGE FROM POPE READ AT FUNERAL MASS OF POPULAR BISHOP
A message from Pope Francis was read to mourners at the funeral of Most Rev Gerard Clifford, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus to the Archbishop of Armagh, in St Patrick’s Church on Thursday.
The message to Archbishop Eamon Martin relayed how the Pontiff was saddened to learn of the death of Bishop Gerard Clifford and sent his heartfelt condolences to the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Armagh.
It stated that he was: ‘United with you in prayerful thanksgiving for his generous and dedicated episcopal ministry in the service of education and ecumenism, His Holiness joins those gathered for the solemn funeral rites in commending the soul of the late Prelate to our Heavenly Father’s merciful love. Upon all who mourn Bishop Clifford ‘s passing, Pope Francis cordially imparts his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of peace and consolation in the Lord Jesus Christ.’
Archbishop Martin was the chief concelebrant of the Mass which was attended by mourners from Bishop Clifford’s native parish of Lordship and Ballymascanlon, as well as the wider diocese of Armagh and further afield.
The chief mourners were his sister Rose (Briody) and brother Christopher, sister-in-law, Phyllis, nephews, grandnephews and grandnieces. Both the President, Michael D Higgins, and An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, were represented by their aide de camps.
Archbishop Martin recalled the quiet affection in which Bishop Clifford was held and noted that other Christian traditions were represented at the funeral,
‘Bishop Clifford was a man of his people,’ he said, adding that it was wonderful that so many people had been able to come to the church and see him lying in state in recent days.
Cardinal Sean Brady told the congregation that he had been ‘shocked and deeply saddened’ when he heard the news of the death of Bishop Clifford, whom he described as ‘a good friend’, ‘a good and faithful priest’ and ‘a good bishop’.
He had first met Bishop Clifford in the late ‘eighties when he was executive secretary of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference. He later met him in Rome when he was ‘very pleased to have the reassuring presence of Gerry Clifford at his side’ as he was being ordained Cardinal, He was very happy when he was appointed as Auxillary Bishop to Cardinal Daly.
Cardinal Brady recalled Bishop Clifford’s work in the areas of religious education and ecumenism, and his ‘ wish for greater understanding and reconciliation on this island.’
He recalled that Bishop Clifford had chosen the phase ‘ That They May Be One’ for his motto which reflected his interest in promoting the unity of Christians.
He was ‘a tireless and selfless peacemaker, an earnest and tireless bridge builder’ who had the ability to articulate his own position clearly and honestly which won him the recognition of people who initially might not have agreed with his point of view.’
Bishop Clifford loved to meet the people of the Archdiocese and especially the parishioners of his beloved Lordship. He loved to travel to Lourdes with the pilgrimage and had a great love of gardening, painting and walking in the foothills of the Cooley mountains.
As the remains of Bishop Clifford were removed from St Patrick’s Church, a guard of honour was formed by schoolchildren and members of the Armagh Pilgrimage to Lourdes. The cortage made its way through the town centre and onto his Bellurgan before he was laid to rest in Calvary cemetery, Ravensdale,