The former Bishop of Down and Connor, Archbishop Noël Treanor has died suddenly at the age of 73.
Archbishop Treanor was the Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union or effectively the Vatican’s ambassador in Brussels.
He went out for a walk in Brussels on Sunday morning, felt unwell and died on his way back to his apartment.
He was born on Christmas Day, 1950 in Monaghan town and attended Saint Mary’s Christian Brothers School in Co Monaghan.
He was ordained as a priest in 1976 and was made Bishop of Down and Connor in 2008. He began working in the role of the Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union in January of last year.
In a statement on Monday, Catholic Primate Eamon Martin extended his sympathies and those of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference to Archbishop Treanor’s friends, family and former parishioners.
“Like so many others, I am greatly shocked by the suddenness of Archbishop Noël’s premature passing,” he said.
“Archbishop Noël served most of his ordained ministry in working to forge positive relations with partner countries of the European Union and to help nourish the Christian heart and soul of Europe.
“May the light of Heaven shine upon Archbishop Noël; may God in His loving mercy look kindly upon him, comfort his relatives, friends, colleagues and former parishioners, and may he receive the welcome of the good and faithful servant. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilís.”
Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin Michael Jackson said Archbishop Treanor was “a good man” and that “everyone involved in Christian witness and engagement in Ireland and beyond is saddened” by his death.
Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill said she was “shocked and deeply saddened” to learn of Archbishop Treanor’s death.
Ulster Unionist MP Robin Swann said he “always found Bishop Treanor a gentleman to work with, and he never failed to show his support and belief in the Mater hospital and everyone who worked in it.”
The charity Trócaire posted on social media that he had been “incredibly supportive of our work” and that he “served as a custodian of our mission, ethos and values”.
Archbishop Treanor is survived by his brother John and his sister Mary.
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