The death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday, September 8 last at the age of 96 prompted messages of tribute from the leaders of the main Christian churches in Ireland. Archbishop of Armagh and Catholic Primate of All-Ireland Eamon Martin said that, like so many people on the island of Ireland and around the world, he was saddened to hear of the death today of the British monarch. “I express my sympathies to the new King, to the members of the royal family and to all those who will grieve the loss of this much-loved and deeply respected monarch,” Archbishop Martin said in a statement.
Since the Queen’s coronation in 1953, she has shown immense commitment, not only to her royal duties and responsibilities, but also to the wider common good. What stands out for me is her dedication to faith, to family, and to peace and reconciliation. “I remember meeting Queen Elizabeth in Enniskillen in 2012, before I was ordained as bishop, when she took the courageous and historic step of visiting Saint Michael’s Catholic Church. She came across as friendly and good humoured….
