THOSE who worked closely with Cardinal Séan Brady as Archbishop of Armagh have sent him into retirement with a stream of good wishes, while also wishing Archbishop Eamon Martin well in his new role.
His Church of Ireland counterpart, Archbishop Richard Clarke, paid tribute to Cardinal Brady as "a good friend to successive Archbishops of Armagh and to the wider Church of Ireland". "We are grateful to him for this unaffected generosity of spirit," he said. "And, on a personal note, I wish to thank Seán for real kindness and warm friendship over many years. We all hope that he will enjoy both true fulfilment and good health in the years ahead." Dr Clarke said he had come to know Archbishop Eamon Martin well and looked forward "to working collaboratively with Eamon as he now embarks on this new phase in his ministry, and in the life of the Roman Catholic Church".
Methodist Church President the Rev Peter Murray noted that "at heart, Cardinal Séan Brady is and no doubt will remain a pastor". "As Cardinal he was appointed to the curial committee concerned with Christian unity and those from the other Churches in Ireland have experienced Cardinal Brady's hospitality and warmth in his Armagh home and his concern for a closer working relationship between the Irish Churches."
Presbyterian Moderator Dr Michael Barry said Cardinal Brady "has a deep spirituality which has been so evident to those who met and worked alongside him during his years as Archbishop of Armagh". "Dr Brady was committed to building good relationships with the Protestant Churches and their leaders," he said. "On behalf of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, I would like to wish him a long, peaceful retirement and that he would know God's blessing in the days ahead. "I and my colleagues in the Presbyterian Church look forward to working with Archbishop Eamon Martin as he takes up his new role as Primate of All Ireland and wish him well as he assumes new responsibilities."
Dr Donald Watts, co-chair of the Irish Inter Church Meeting and President of the Irish Council of Churches, paid tribute to Cardinal Brady's "enormous contribution to inter-Church relations in Ireland". "Together with the member churches of the Irish Council of Churches I wish to congratulate Archbishop Eamon on his new ministry as Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland and look forward to working with him over the coming years."
SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan congratulated Archbishop Martin, who he has known since their primary school days in Derry. "Eamon has gone from St Patrick's Primary School in
Pennyburn and an altar boy there to become St Patrick's successor in Armagh," he said. "While he has gone far in that sense he has always remained rooted. "While Eamon is a naturally humble man I hope he can enjoy the genuine pride that will again be felt by his family, his home parish, his schools and the Derry Diocese today."
Sinn Féin deputy first minister Martin McGuinness said Archbishop Martin was a "progressive thinker and a man who has demonstrated an ability to connect with ordinary Catholics". "The people of Derry in particular will be rightly proud at his elevation to the highest office of the Catholic Church in Ireland," he said. "The next few years will be crucial for the Church and Archbishop Martin as he sets about restoring confidence in congregations throughout the country."