The dying wish of Monsignor Denis Faul was that the IRA should provide the information to recover the bodies of the Disappeared, the chief concelebrant at his funeral Mass Bishop Gerard Clifford told mourners yesterday.
Bishop Clifford, who described Mgr Faul as "one of the great priests" and a "prophet of our time", said he was a driving force for justice, peace and reconciliation during his 50 years as a priest.
A diverse group of mourners filled St Colmcille's Church in Carrickmore, Co Tyrone, to overflowing yesterday: some great friends, some former opponents. His extended family were present, as were many Catholic and Protestant clergy and religious. Also in the church were many politicians, including Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness and Pat Doherty.
Former IRA prisoners such as Tommy McKearney and Anthony McIntyre who, while supporting the peace process, challenge the political strategy of Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness, were also there, as was Belfast republican Martin Meehan, and Donegal Republican Sinn Féin politician Joe O'Neill.
In the church, too, were hundreds of local people, and sitting quietly in the pews some of the people he helped, either from state or paramilitary intimidation and attack.
They all heard that Mgr Faul made a plea for the Disappeared on his deathbed. His words were clear, said Dr Clifford, auxiliary bishop of Armagh: "Anyone who has knowledge of the unburied bodies bears the responsibility for that." Bishop Clifford said the core of Mgr Faul's life was influenced by his commitment to the priesthood and the Catholic Church. From this commitment stemmed his advocacy of civil and human rights and his dedication to Catholic teaching.
The bishop recalled that the words of Fr Faul's mother to him in his early youth left an indelible mark. She said: "Remember there is nobody better than you, although there will be some who are as good as you are." Bishop Clifford continued: "Over 30 years he was a prophetic voice for the Catholic community in Northern Ireland. He was the voice of the voiceless, the friend of the repressed. He saw the injustices in society."
Also present in the church accompanied by SDLP Assembly member PJ Bradley were Bridie Oliver and her son Eugene, wife and son of Tom Oliver, who was murdered by the IRA in Cooley, Co Louth, in 1991. They heard the bishop refer to this and other killings and how Mgr Faul "fought fearlessly on behalf of victims of violence, no matter what the source". "He saw the threat of violence extending to the Republic," he added.
The chief mourners were Mgr Faul's sister Brigid, brothers Peter, Stephen and Terence, and nephews and nieces, Among the many clergy present were Cardinal Cahal Daly and Bishops Patrick Walsh, Edward Daly and Patrick Lagan, and his close friend, Fr Raymond Murray - with whom he campaigned on behalf of republican internees and prisoners, the Birmingham Six and the Guildford Four.
The joint head of the British-Irish Secretariat in Belfast, Gary Ansbro, represented President Mary McAleese; Minster of State Pat the Cope Gallagher was there on behalf of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and the Government; Senator Maurice Hayes represented the Seanad.
Also in Carrickmore were former minister for foreign affairs Peter Barry, and former Louth Fine Gael TD Brendan McGahon. Mourners included SDLP founder member Austin Currie and former SDLP deputy leader Bríd Rodgers; Sinn Féin MLA Barry McElduff, singer and politician Dana, concert promoter Jim Aiken; and chairwoman of Foras na Gaeilge Máiréad Uí Mháirtín and her husband, Micheál.
