Funeral details confirmed for Bishop Liam McDaid

The funeral details have been confirmed for the late Bishop-Emeritus of Clogher Liam MacDaid who died suddenly last week while on holiday in France.

Bishop MacDaid, aged 78, was Bishop of Clogher from 2010 until his retirement due to ill-health in October 2016.

Bishop Liam’s body will arrive at St Macartan’s Cathedral, Monaghan, tomorrow (Friday) August 25 at 3pm. Following the Liturgy of Reception, Bishop Liam’s body will repose at the Cathedral until the conclusion of Night Prayer of the Church, which will commence at 9:45pm. This will enable all to pay their respects to our late Bishop.

The Funeral Mass for Bishop MacDaid, including Midday Prayer from the Prayer of the Church for the Faithful Departed, will be celebrated on Saturday, August 26, at 12 noon, followed by burial in the Cathedral grounds.

Liturgy and Funeral Mass available via live webcam at: www.mcnmedia.tv/camera/st-macartans-cathedral-monaghan

The Bishop of Clogher, Bishop Larry Duffy, led the tributes to his predecessor last week when news of his death was confirmed. He described Bishop MacDaid as a "compassionate pastor who brought the love of Christ to all the people he ministered to".

Bishop Duffy went on: "Throughout his 54 years of priestly ministry, whether in an educational setting, in a parish or as Bishop of Clogher, Bishop Liam saw his mission as one of proclaiming Christ. His episcopal motto ‘Per Christum Dominum Nostrum’ - through Christ our Lord - captured well his faith in Jesus and the living out of that faith in word and action.

"His devoted service to the Diocese will be long remembered for its genuine commitment to God’s people and his simplicity of approach. May Christ the Good Shepherd now bring Bishop Liam to the fullness of life in the Kingdom of Heaven."

A native of Bundoran, Co Donegal, Bishop MacDaid was ordained a priest in 1969. He was a member of the teaching staff of St Macartan’s College, Monaghan, for many years before serving as President of the College between 1981 and 1989. He later served in the parishes of Fivemiletown, Co Tyrone and Tyholland, Co Monaghan. In addition, he was Diocesan Secretary and Chancellor from 1993 until his appointment as Bishop of Clougher in 2010.

The Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, Denis Nulty, also said it was with "great sadness" that he learned of the death of Bishop Liam MacDaid.

“May Bishop Liam be richly rewarded for the great service he has given marriage and the family, as well as to those who have worked alongside him over those years. Bishop Liam’s kindness and warmth will be greatly missed. May his gentle soul rest in peace.”

Bishop Nulty spoke fondly of his colleague's work throughout his long career. Bishop Liam served from 2013 to 2016 as chair of the Council for Marriage and the Family of the Irish Bishops’ Conference, which is now chaired by Bishop Denis Nulty.

“During that time, in 2015, Bishop Liam was present at the eighth World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia when it was announced that the next gathering, its ninth meeting, would take place here in 2018. It is interesting that later this month we will mark the fifth anniversary of the Irish Church hosting the World Meeting of Families.”

Bishop MacDaid was predeceased by his parents William and Mary Ellen.

He will be sadly missed by his brother Christopher; Bishop Larry Duffy; Bishop Emeritus Joseph Duffy and the priests, deacons, religious and the people of Clogher Diocese.

May he rest in peace.