The former bishop of Galway, Dr James McLoughlin, was a man with a "big heart", compassion, generosity, and a deep interest in young people, his successor, current Bishop of Galway Dr Martin Drennan, said at the concelebrated Requiem Mass for his funeral yesterday.
"Such generosity brings joy, but also brings its own cost. I believe the consequence of his joy and commitment is that he died fully used up," Dr Drennan said in his homily in Galway Cathedral, which was attended by a congregation of over 2,500.
Speaking to reporters before the funeral, the Catholic Communications Office said that none of the bishops present would be commenting on yesterday's report that Dr McLoughlin's predecessor, Dr Eamon Casey, would be returning to Ireland to contest an allegation made against him.
It would be "inappropriate" for the bishops to comment at an occasion when Dr McLoughlin's life was being celebrated, the spokeswoman said.
Concelebrants at the requiem Mass were Apostolic Nuncio Dr Guiseppe Lazzarotto; former archbishop of Dublin Cardinal Desmond Connell; Archbishop of Tuam Dr Michael Neary; and auxiliary bishop of Armagh Dr Gerard Clifford, representing the Archbishop of Armagh Dr SeáBrady. A message of condolence was sent by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican secretary of state.
Assisting Dr Drennan, the Apostolic Nuncio and Dr Neary at the altar were Rev Aidan McLoughlin of the Carmelite order (a brother of the late bishop), and Fr Ian O'Neill, Galway diocesan secretary.
A number of serving and retired bishops also participated, including Archbishop of Cashel and Emly Dr Dermot Clifford; retired bishop of Derry Dr Edward Daly; auxiliary bishop of Down and Connor Dr Anthony Farquhar; Bishop of Ossory Dr Laurence Forristal; Bishop of Derry Dr Seamus Hegarty; Bishop of Clonfert Dr John Kirby; auxiliary bishop of Down and Connor Dr Donal McKeown; Bishop of Cloyne Dr John Magee; Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin Dr James Moriarty; auxiliary bishop of Dublin Dr Fiachra Ó Ceallaigh; Bishop of Kilmore Dr Leo O'Reilly; and Bishop of Elphin Dr Christopher Jones.
President Mary McAleese was represented by Capt Lorraine Fahy, aide-de-camp, and the Taoiseach Mr Ahern was represented by Comdt Rod McAuliffe. Church of Ireland rector of St Nicholas's College Church Rev Patrick Towers took part in the procession, and chief mourners were Dr McLoughlin's brothers, Fr Aidan and Dermot, his sister-in-law Joan McLoughlin, together with his nieces, nephew, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Minister of State for Equality and Law Reform Frank Fahey, former junior minister Bobby Molloy and a number of Galway city and county councillors were also present.
In his homily, Dr Drennan referred to a vision of heaven recorded by a monk several centuries ago, in which he saw four groups of people present. The first group were the sick, who gave thanks to God. The second group were those who practised hospitality. The third group were those who crossed the desert without meeting anyone on the way. "We cross many deserts in our lives . . . and sometimes the reality is that we make our own deserts," Dr Drennan said.
The last group the monk saw were those "who do what God wants and keep doing it", Dr Drennan said. Those closest to Dr McLoughlin were aware of "the deserts he crossed" on "his journey of faith".
The late bishop had "deep roots, deep trust in the Lord" and a wonderful faith, and had looked on his diocese with a "kindly eye". For this reason he was a "huge loss" to Galway, Dr Drennan said.
