Archbishop Treanor, a former Bishop of Down and Connor in Northern Ireland, attended the Holy Land Co-Ordination for several years, an annual pilgrimage organised by our Bishops’ Conference bringing together Catholic Bishops from around the world to meet in the lands of Christ’s birth, ministry, death and resurrection. He served as Secretary-General of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) from 1993 to 2008.
Archbishop Treanor died on Sunday, 11 August 2024, aged 73. Requiescat in pace.
Bishop Hudson commented:
'It was with deep sorrow that I learned of the death of Archbishop Noël Treanor. He was a good friend and I will miss him.
'In my role as Chair of the Department for International Affairs of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, I wish to extend heartfelt condolences to Archbishop Noël’s family and friends, his brother bishops and clergy, all the parishes of Down and Connor, and everyone who mourns him across the continent of Europe.
'Archbishop Noël’s wisdom, kindness, and unwavering dedication to dialogue touched everyone who knew him. I experienced this first-hand as I had the privilege of sitting alongside him regularly in plenary assemblies of the French Bishops’ Conference; and at plenary meetings of COMECE, the Commission of Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union. His commitment to promoting peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and fostering dialogue between the Church and the European Union was inspirational and exemplary.
'Archbishop Noël and I shared the conviction that the Church in England and Wales remained emphatically a part of the Church in Europe even after Britain’s secession from the European Union. His unstinting work with COMECE and the EU as priest, bishop and, most recently, nuncio will be long remembered and respected – as will his tireless endeavours for Justice & Peace Europe.
'Archbishop Noël believed in the Church’s mission in Europe and to Europe. He was a true servant of the Church. I pray he rest now in peace; and come to know the fullness of the reward held out for such a diligent labourer of the Lord’s vineyard.'