FORMER Auxiliary Bishop of Armagh Gerard Clifford has been described as a "tireless peacemaker" following his death aged 75.
Dr Clifford, who also served as as executive secretary of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference from 1984 to 1991 and was involved in education including as a diocesan adviser for 10 years, passed away on Monday in Dublin.
Born in Lordship, Co Louth in 1941, he was ordained a priest in 1968 and was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Armagh in 1991.
He retired in 2013 due to ill-health.
Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin led tributes to a "devoted and generous priest and bishop".
"Bishop Clifford was a holy and humble man who instinctively placed the concerns of others first, as befits a true messenger of the Gospel," he said.
"Bishop Gerry was a tireless peacemaker and bridge-builder. He was one of the great figures of the ecumenical movement in Ireland - a role he accomplished through gentle friendship and witness.
"He placed great store in the innate decency of people and he used every opportunity to heal the wounds created by violence, distrust and fear."
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan paid tribute to Bishop Clifford who he said "touched the lives of countless numbers".
He added that he was: "A very valued member of the faith community he worked quietly and relentlessly across the community to bring people together during some very difficult times in our troubled past."
After the 1979 visit by Pope John Paul II to Ireland, Bishop Clifford was part of a response by the Catholic Church in Ireland to his appeal for Churches to work more closely together.
He worked with the late Church of Ireland Canon William Arlow as ecumenical and reconciliation officer of the diocese and organised ecumenical talks twice a year with St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast.
He was also responsible for organising inter-church services in Armagh Cathedral.
Bishop Clifford also served as president of pro-life crisis pregnancy counselling service Cura.
