FORMER bishop of Derry Edward Daly has retired as chaplain to Derry's Foyle Hospice, almost 60 years after he was first ordained a Catholic priest.
One of Ireland's foremost church leaders, Bishop Daly (82) served as chaplain to the hospice since retiring as Bishop of Derry in 1993 on health grounds.
He celebrated his final Mass as chaplain on Sunday.
A native of Belleek in Co Fermanagh, Bishop Daly first came to international prominence when he was photographed waving a blood-stained handkerchief as he led by body of Bloody Sunday victim, Jackie Duddy from Derry's Bogside.
Ordained bishop in 1974, Dr Daly played a major role in many of the key political developments during the Troubles.
With former Irish primate Cardinal Tomás O Fiaich, Bishop Daly worked to find a resolution to the 1981 hunger strikes.
He also frequently spoke out against paramilitaries. He also actively campaigned on behalf of Irish prisoners who were victims of injustice.
He has published a number of books, including two autobiographical volumes.
In A Troubled See, about his time as bishop, Dr Daly suggested priests should be allowed to marry if they wished.
Following his final Mass as chaplain, Derry's Foyle Hospice announced his retirement on its Facebook site.
The organisation said: "We are indebted to Bishop Daly for his commitment to the hospice and especially to our patients."
The announcement sparked a huge emotional response on the social media site with cancer patients and their relatives paying tribute.
One woman posted: "The end of an era as Bishop Daly celebrated his final Mass for his beloved patients and their families.
"Thank you for coming into my life in the last two years. Your presence will be forever in my heart. Love and blessings to a special friend for so many."
Another woman posted: "Such a wonderful man. Was always there for me and my family when my son died in the hospice.
"He never forgot us over the years and we will never forget him."
