The funeral took place in Belfast yesterday of Bishop Michael Dallat, retired auxiliary bishop of Down and Connor. Dr Dallat was ordained to the priesthood in 1951 and devoted his life to the teaching profession, becoming chairman of the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools in 1995.
Dr Patrick Walsh, Bishop of Down and Connor, celebrated the Requiem Mass at St Peter's Cathedral, Belfast. He said: "So many of our teachers in our Catholic schools in every diocese in Northern Ireland learned from him, not just as a distinguished academic, but they learned from his personal witness what parents rightly expect from teachers."
A message was received from the Secretary of State of the Vatican, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, expressing Pope John Paul II's regret at the death of Bishop Dallat.