CHURCHES:CHURCH LEADERS were among those who paid tribute to the late Dr Garret FitzGerald yesterday.
The Catholic primate Cardinal Seán Brady described it as “a remarkable coincidence” that Dr FitzGerald’s death “occurred during these historic days for our country which have resulted in no small part from his efforts to promote peace and reconciliation between Ireland and Britain throughout his lifetime.”
The former taoiseach was “a committed statesman who served our country over decades as a public servant, elected representative and taoiseach. He built on the legacy of generous service established by his father Desmond FitzGerald, the first minister for external affairs following the independence of this State.”
The Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin described the former taoiseach as “a politician of vision and I wish we had more politicians like him”. He “brought his Christian faith and Christian practice to political life.”
Expressing their sympathy in a joint statement yesterday, the Church of Ireland primate Alan Harper and the church’s Archbishop of Dublin Michael Jackson said: “Dr FitzGerald had a unique and inspirational spirit for public service.
“He took significant steps in many aspects of political life. He invested much of his energy and intellect in establishing the New Ireland Forum and the Anglo Irish Agreement. He was also an adept polemicist.”
They continued: “Dr FitzGerald showed integrity and sincerity in all aspects of his long career.
“His passion for peace and his towering intellect were lived out in a humble and accessible personality.”