Former Limerick Bishop Donal Murray laid to rest

WHAT mattered most for the late Bishop Donal Murray was helping others and having hope, his successor Bishop Brendan Leahy said as Limerick bade farewell to its former bishop.

Large numbers turned out at St John’s Cathedral and Mount St Lawrence Cemetery to pay tribute to the bishop, who passed away on Sunday, October 13 at Milford Care Centre.

Among those in attendance were his sister Una, brothers Diarmuid and John, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews and extended family, as well as representatives of both Church and State.

In an introduction read by Nessa Breen, formerly of Mary Immaculate College, where Bishop Murray was chair of the Trustees and Governing Authority for many years, the congregation was reminded of how Bishop Murray was “very mindful of the rapid changes in culture, society and Church and the need to rebuild the community of faith for new times”.

Through the listening process he launched at the turn of the millennium, as well as his pastoral councils and pastoral visits, Bishop Murray desired that lay people would “appreciate to the full the dignity and the vocation that is theirs as lay people”.

“Of course, Bishop Donal also knew how to relax,” the congregation heard, as Ms Breen described the weekly game of cards that he enjoyed throughout retirement with the priests of the Diocese: “He valued friendship, had a good sense of humour and enjoyed sport.”

In his homily, Bishop Leahy said that Bishop Murray’s “unassuming gentle presence” was a gift: “He was always reassuring, encouraging and a fatherly figure of wisdom, offering insights and perspectives from the deep well of his soul”.

READ MORE: Limerick libraries launch Digital Device Lending Program for older adults

Describing him as “a brilliant intellect”, Bishop Leahy said: “What mattered most for Bishop Donal, however, was to live and help others live the wonder of being a Christian”.

“The dignity and wonder of what it is to be human was a constant theme in his thought and words,” Bishop Leahy explained.

“He encouraged us to ask the deeper questions about what it means to be human and what that then means for our approach to education, to ethics and to the environment… he often repeated to me his conviction that deep down we are always on the look-out for those sparks of truth and love.”

He described how Bishop Murray saw potential in everyone: “Many past students speak fondly of how they were encouraged by him. Priests found in him a caring father figure. The Religious of the Diocese and the Diocesan staff found in him a kindly presence. The pilgrims on the Lourdes pilgrimage enjoyed getting to know the humour and simplicity and creativity of their Bishop that at first glance was somewhat reserved in character”.

In recent years Bishop Murray gave much thought to the journey to the next life, Bishop Leahy said, explaining that he never lost sight of the wonder of creation, of life’s marvels and human dignity: “This was the source of his humble spirit. We are not in charge of life. God is. This world is not the final goal. The next life is.”