In a statement issued yesterday by the Diocese of Clogher, Dr Gary Carville said, “It is with profound regret that the Diocese of Clogher announces the death of Bishop Liam S. MacDaid, Bishop-Emeritus of Clogher. Bishop Liam died suddenly yesterday while on holiday in France.”
Bishop MacDaid, aged 78, was Bishop of Clogher from 2010 until his retirement due to ill-health in October 2016. A native of Bundoran, Co Donegal, he was ordained a Priest in 1969. He was a member of the teaching staff of St Macartan’s College, Monaghan for many years before serving as President of the College between 1981 and 1989. He later served in the Parishes of Fivemiletown, Co Tyrone and Tyholland, Co Monaghan. In addition, he was Diocesan Secretary and Chancellor from 1993 until his appointment as Bishop in 2010.
The Bishop of Clogher, Bishop Larry Duffy, has paid tribute to the late Bishop MacDaid, describing him as a “compassionate pastor who brought the love of Christ to all the people he ministered to.” Bishop Duffy continued, “Throughout his 54 years of priestly ministry, whether in an educational setting, in a parish or as Bishop of Clogher, Bishop Liam saw his mission as one of proclaiming Christ. His episcopal motto ‘Per Christum Dominum Nostrum’ – through Christ our Lord – captured well his faith in Jesus and the living out of that faith in word and action. His devoted service to the Diocese will be long remembered for its genuine commitment to God’s people and his simplicity of approach. May Christ the Good Shepherd now bring Bishop Liam to the fullness of life in the Kingdom of Heaven.”
President of the Irish Episcopal Conference, Archbishop Eamon Martin highlighted Bishop MacDaid’s committment to “leading the faithful in a spirit of collaboration, involving consultation and listening” and his establishment of “support groups involving both priests and laity” in the Diocese of Clogher. The Archbishop continued, “As Bishop of Clogher from 2010 to 2016, Bishop Liam became a valued member of the Bishops’ Conference. During this time he made insightful contributions to our discussions and gave s significant contribution to the councils and agencies of the Bishops’ Conference: as Vice-President of Accord, the Catholic Marriage Care Service; as a member of the Council for Marriage and the Family; and, to the religious publishing agency, Veritas. He was also a strong advocate for greater road safety for young people, especially in the border region.”
Bishop Denis Nulty, Chair of the Council for Marriage and the Family said, “Bishop Liam had enormous pastoral interest in marriage and the family, having attended the earlier World Meeting of Families in Milan in 2012. In the years between the Philadelphia and Dublin World Meetings of Families, Bishop Liam was involved in many initiatives raising the profile of the family. One event I particularly recall was a conference hosted by the Council for Marriage & Family in Clonliffe College, Dublin, where Bishop Liam very successfully introduced drama to act out contemporary family situations. It showed the vision and ability of Bishop Liam.”
ENDS
