AS his body lay in his beloved North Cathedral last night wide spread tributes were paid to Dr Michael Murphy (72), the Bishop of Cork and Ross, who died last Monday.
Bishop Murphy, who eschewed the limelight, was nevertheless a fearless champion of the underprivileged who believed that church leaders should speak out when the occasion warranted it.
Having spent many years on the Cork mission to Peru established by his predecessor, Dr Cornelius Lucey, he had formed the opinion that married priests and female priests might be inevitable in the future.
His position, he said on more than one occasion, was that the church was big enough to cope with such an eventuality.
He also expressed the view that the relationship between church and State should never become too cosy and that there should be a healthy tension between the two Dr Murphy, who was intense in his devotion to the people of Cork, and particularly those having on the north side of the city, was also outspoken about the alarming increase in crime in the city, and particularly the growing drugs problem.
He said alienation from the church had more to do with lack of access by the laity than it did with the spate of scandals that had become public in recent years.
His final public appearance was last Sunday week when he officiated at a ceremony to mark the £2 million renovation of the North Cathedral.
Yesterday the Rev. R.A. Warke, the Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, said that he and Dr Murphy had enjoyed a good working relationship and that the late bishop had been a man of the people who was deeply concerned about social issues. He had made a "remarkable contribution", and was a noted ecumenist, Bishop Warke added.
Father Noel O'Sullivan, president of Farranferris College in Cork a position held by Bishop Murphy between 1969 and 1976 said that in his student days there, the late bishop had earned a reputation as a great athlete in hurling and football.
Known affectionately as "Tarzan" by his sporting colleagues, Bishop Murphy from the outset had displayed a rock like faith which was the basis for his whole life, he said.
Mr Gerry Murphy, manager of the St Vincent de Paul hostel in Cork, said Bishop Murphy was a significant supporter of any initiative taken by the organisation and would be remembered with great affection.
Politicians, the business community in Cork and many other agencies paid tribute to Dr Murphy yesterday as arrangements were being made for his funeral.
His remains will lie in the cathedral until next Friday, and thousands of people are expected to sign the book of condolences prior to the funeral after a concelebrated Requiem Mass at noon.
Leaders of church and State are expected to attend the funeral, as is the Co-Adjutor Bishop of Armagh, Dr Sean Brady, who will succeed Cardinal Cahal Daly.