A Catholic priest who was well-known throughout the Troubles for promoting peace and reconciliation has passed away.
Monsignor Raymond Murray died peacefully on Tuesday at Collegelands Nursing Home, Co Armagh.
His ministry included serving for many years in St Patrick’s Cathedral Parish, Armagh, as well as serving as parish priest in Moneymore, Co Londonderry and Cookstown, Co Tyrone.
Born in 1938 in Newtownhamilton, Co Armagh, Monsignor Murray was ordained as a priest of the Archdiocese of Armagh in St Patrick’s College, Maynooth in 1962.
Monsignor Murray was well known throughout the Troubles for his work in promoting peace, justice and reconciliation.
He was appointed Prelate of Honour with the title Monsignor in 1995 by Pope John Paul II.
Monsignor Murray was a noted historian and Irish language scholar with many publications to his name.
News Catch Up – Wednesday 26 February
Belfast-based victims’ group Relatives For Justice paid tribute to their “guiding light”.
Chief executive Mark Thompson said: “Monsignor Murray’s contribution to human rights in Ireland is unparalleled. With the late Fr Denis Faul and Fr Brian Brady he was one of the founders of the Association for Legal Justice. They contemporaneously documented state abuses, including torture, internment, and the use of lethal force.
“His first-hand testimony led directly to the Irish Government successfully taking the first inter-state case to the European Commission of Human Rights on the systemic use of torture.”
A funeral notice said that Monsignor Murray was predeceased by his parents, Vincent and Kathleen, brothers, Father Patsy and Vincent, sisters, Sister Marie and Teresa.
A Reception of Remains at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh, will take place on Wednesday at noon.
Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Friday February 28 at noon, followed by burial in Saint Patrick’s Cemetery.
Ryan O’Neill, the SDLP’s Mid Ulster chair, paid tribute to Monsignor Murray, who he said was ‘inspiring’.
“He worked tirelessly in a time of great division, always advocating for justice and dignity for all. His contributions to peace, reconciliation, and the rights of individuals in the North of Ireland were deeply personal for him and an essential part of his faith.”