Archbishop Noel Treanor has been praised for his role in consistently fighting for Christian values.
The cleric, who died on Sunday aged 73, will also be remembered for speaking out against racism and xenophobia, and siding with the DUP during the Ashers cake row in 2015.
The former Bishop of Down and Connor was appointed by Pope Francis as apostolic nuncio to the European Union last year, representing the Holy See in Brussels, where he passed away.
Bishop of Down and Connor, The Most Reverend Noel Treanor pictured after officiating at the Mass of Chrism in an empty St Peter’s Cathedral in west Belfast. (Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye)
Irish President Michael D Higgins said his death “will represent a significant diplomatic loss in relation to the discussion on the future of Europe”.
“At a time when many are seeking to recover the original purpose of the EU, he always emphasised peace, requiring reference to the principal reason for the existence of the union as the elimination of war, as sought from the EU’s foundation, and the importance of the hard work necessary to build peace in conditions of difference,” Mr Higgins said.
Born in Tyholland, he went to St Mary’s Christian Brothers in Monaghan town before Saint Patrick’s College in Maynooth.
He was ordained in 1976 in Saint Macartan’s Cathedral in Monaghan. He was appointed to the staff of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) in 1989.
Four years later he became secretary general of COMECE, remaining in the post until his appointment by Pope Benedict as Bishop of Down and Connor in 2008.
Catholic Primate Archbishop Eamon Martin said: “I am greatly shocked by the suddenness of Archbishop Noel’s premature passing.
“Archbishop Noel served most of his ordained ministry in working to forge positive relations with partner countries of the European Union and to help nourish the Christian heart and soul of Europe.”
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Bishop of Down and Connor, The Most Reverend Noel Treanor (Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye)
Church of Ireland Primate John McDowell remembered him as a man with “considerable diplomatic and academic skills”, which he used “to ensure that Christian values were advocated for at the heart of the European Union”.
“I got to know Archbishop Noel well through work which we did together in relation to the impact of Brexit,” he added.
“When I was Bishop of Clogher I was delighted when he accepted an invitation to speak at an ecumenical gathering in the little Church of Ireland parish church in Tyholland.
“Noel was always extremely well prepared for any engagement and arrived with a hefty volume of paper in his case.
“However, halfway through his address he abandoned his notes and spoke directly to many people in that small Protestant community whose families he had grown up with and for whom he had a clear and clear-eyed affection. It was a truly memorable occasion.”
After his appointment as the Vatican’s representative to the EU last year, he said: “I have so many fond memories of my time here (in Down and Connor) and particularly of all the clergy, religious, and the people whom I have met and who have supported me with their advice and expertise.”
Blessing of the Graves by Bishop Noel Treanor
In 2016 he was forceful in his condemnation of attacks on Jewish graves in Belfast.
He said: “These shameful acts are a blemish on our society. Condemnation, necessary as it is, does not suffice.
“Society must ensure that our children are educated in heart and attitude, in mind and action, to respect every person without exception.
“There can be no compromise on these imperatives to build minds and hearts that are open to, respectful of, and treasure diversity.”
Archbishop Treanor also made headlines the year before when he lent his support to the DUP’s attempt to change legislation to protect Christian values, which he felt were under attack in the Ashers cake row.
The Belfast bakery faced legal action for refusing an order for a cake with a message on it supporting gay marriage.
He met DUP First Minister Peter Robinson at Stormont to express his concerns.
Bishop Treanor said: “Our laws, as they stand, are having an unjust and disproportionate impact on those of religious faith.
“It is as if we have swapped one form of discrimination for another.”