Tributes have been paid to Monsignor Denis Faul who died today, aged 74.
The Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland Seán Brady this evening described the priest as "an outstanding pastor."
He said he was "a man of boundless energy" and that his life "was an eloquent testimony that justice requires consistent courage, and that peace must be underpinned by morality at all times."
Dr Robin Eames, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of the Church of Ireland said he regarded Msgr Faul as "a man of integrity and spiritual strength." He said he was "privileged to know him, and on several occasions to be associated with him in matters of concern to both our communities."
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said that he was saddened to learn of the death of Father Faul, and extended his sympathy to his family, friends and parishioners.
Mr Ahern said Father Faul was "a determined and courageous man, devoted to peace and justice, who continually spoke out against violence across all communities in Northern Ireland."
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams said "although Irish republicans and Fr Faul seriously differed, particularly around the 1981 hunger strike, he nonetheless played a pivotal role in the 1970s and 80s in highlighting human rights abuses by the British state."
"Along with the late Fr Brian Brady, Fr Raymond Murray, and Fr Des Wilson, and a number of human rights groups like the Association for Legal Justice, Fr Faul was instrumental in drawing attention to collusion, torture, and shoot-to-kill actions by British forces."
The DUP's Maurice Morrow said "the death of Denis Faul marks the passing of a man who was never prepared to shy away from the difficult issues of the day. He did not seek the popular route when expressing his views and on many occasions made a strong contribution to a range of issues in the province."
Labour Party Spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Employment Ruairi Quinn described Monsignor Faul as "an exceptional champion of civil and democratic rights and a fearless opponent of violence for more than three decades."
Green Party Leader Trevor Sargent said Monsignor Faul was "a courageous man and an impartial mediator for peace on this island. He was not afraid to speak his mind when human rights were abused, and he will be sadly missed."
Progressive Democrats Party Leader Tánaiste Mary Harney said he was "an honourable man, whose often controversial public comments reflected his strongly-held opposition to violence."