THE retiring bishop of Derry and Raphoe has described the murder of Lyra McKee as one of the “darkest days” of his ministry.
The Right Rev Ken Good urged politicians to "take courageous steps" in the wake of the journalist's murder.
The Church of Ireland bishop was speaking ahead of attending his final service in his 17 years as church leader in Raphoe, Co Donegal tonight.
His brother-in-law, and fellow Church of Ireland bishop, Ken Clarke will be preacher at the Ascension Day Service of Holy Communion at Royal and Prior comprehensive school.
His retirement was announced last year to allow a successor to be appointed ahead of the next Lambeth Conference in 2020.
It is expected that a new Bishop of Derry and Raphoe will be in place by September.
A native of Co Cork, Bishop Good was appointed head of Derry and Raphoe while serving as a parish priest in Lurgan in 2002.
He was one of a number of church leaders who attended a vigil for journalist Ms McKee following her murder last month.
The 29 year-old died after she was shot in the head by dissident republicans who fired indiscriminately at police during rioting last month.
Bishop Good described the murder as one of the darkest days of his ministry as bishop. He said Ms McKee’s death sparked a “shared horror”.
“There was an outrage that was deeper because things have got so much better,” he told BBC Radio Ulster.
He called on political leaders in Northern Ireland to take “courageous” steps to move forward in a decisive way.
While there were difficult times during his time in Derry, Bishop Good said his main emotion on leaving the city was one of gratitude.
In an interview with his diocesan magazine, he said: “There’ve been times of serious community strife, violence and terrorism, bereavement and deaths – including for clergy families – but there’ve been far more highs than lows.”
Among the highs, he said, were his friendship with Catholic bishop of Derry Donal McKeown and the recent holding of the Church of Ireland General Synod in the city.
He also highlighted having lunch with Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace and as well as meeting the Pope.
In retirement, Bishop Good said he and his wife Mary plan to stay in the north-west and hope to spend more time at a house they have in Fanad in Co Donegal.
