“I was profoundly shocked to hear of the sudden death of Archbishop Noel Treanor, Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union and, for many years prior to that, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Down and Connor, a vast and demanding diocesan area with a commensurate workload.
“Prior to returning to Ireland to take up episcopal ministry, Archbishop Noel was the Director of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) where he used his considerable diplomatic and academic skills to ensure that Christian values were advocated for at the heart of the European Union.
“Archbishop Noel hailed from Tyholland in Co. Monaghan and retained a strong affection and many connections in that beautiful Border parish. I got to know Archbishop Noel well through work which we did together in relation to the impact of Brexit.
“When I was Bishop of Clogher I was delighted when he accepted an invitation to speak at an ecumenical gathering in the little Church of Ireland parish church in Tyholland. Noel was always extremely well prepared for any engagement and arrived with a hefty volume of paper in his case. However, half–way through his address he abandoned his notes and spoke directly to many people in that small Protestant community whose families he had grown up with and for whom he had a clear and clear–eyed affection. It was a truly memorable occasion.
“Noel was a most accomplished linguist moving freely between English, Italian, French, German and Spanish. Although not someone given to emotional flourishes, he was a wonderful host and dialogue partner and I well remember a very convivial dinner he shared with Archbishop Eamon Martin and me when we called on Noel at his home in Brussels en route to a ceremony in Messines.
“Archbishop Noel’s final posting in Brussels was one of immense complexity and diplomatic delicacy which must have been a challenge to his naturally perfectionist instincts; yet never verbose, he was always worth listening to.
“My prayers and sympathy go to his brother John and his sister Mary as I reflect with warmth and gratitude on a deeply civilised and widely read episcopal colleague but above all faithful disciple of our common Lord.”
Ar dheis De go raibh an anam