Bishop Emeritus Edward Daly of Derry has died at the age of 82. Bishop Daly, who helped victims on Bloody Sunday in 1972, had been suffering from a long illness, the Diocese of Derry said.
Bishop Daly was a priest in Derry when British paratroopers opened fire on a civil rights protest march on January 30, 1972, killing 13 people. The killings helped to fuel Northern Ireland’s sectarian violence, in which some 3,000 people died.
The bishop became a hero by administering the Last Rites to victims on the streets amid the mayhem of the Catholic Bogside district. A photo of the priest waving a bloodstained white handkerchief as he tried to help dying 17-year-old Jackie Duddy became one of the event’s abiding images.
“There’s scarcely a day that passes when I don’t think about that day. It’s haunted me all these years,” Bishop Daly said 25 years later.
An initial British inquiry caused outrage in Northern Ireland with its claim that the British troops’ gunfire followed IRA firing and that the victims could have been armed.
A 12-year investigation found in 2010 that the soldiers were not under attack and fired without justification on unarmed civilians, many of whom were fleeing or aiding the wounded.
Bishop Daly served as Bishop of Derry from 1974 until 1993, retiring after suffering from a stroke. His death was announced by Bishop Donal McKeown of Derry, who said Bishop Daly served “without any concern for himself, throughout the traumatic years of the Troubles, finding his ministry shaped by the experience of witnessing violence and its effects; through this dreadful period he always strove to preach the Gospel of the peace of Christ.
“Bishop Daly provided an example of priestly ministry which was exemplary, inspired by service of God and the people he encountered.” He continued: “His ministry was characterised by his deep love of the people of this diocese, his dedicated visitation of parishes and his constant availability to others.”
Bishop Daly was born in Belleek, County Fermanagh, on December 5, 1933. He studied at the Pontifical Irish College, Rome, before being ordained a priest in 1957. In 1962 he was appointed as a curate in St Eugene’s cathedral, Derry, and in 1973 he was appointed religious advisor to RTÉ in Dublin. In retirement, despite poor health, he served as chaplain at the Foyle Hospice, Derry, and as diocesan archivist.
Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh said Bishop Daly ordained him to the priesthood and that he would “always be grateful for his pastoral guidance, kindness and support”.
“Bishop Edward was an iconic figure in the civic and Church life of Ireland, north and south. He truly lived and proclaimed the Good News of Jesus Christ and, in doing so, became a role model for all of us,” Archbishop Martin said.
Bishop Daly was “a tireless worker for the people, priests and religious of the diocese,” the archbishop said, adding his first memory of him “was when I was a 13-year-old boy, walking to the bottom of our street in Pennyburn, to greet the new bishop. He was just 40 years of age and came across as warm, youthful and interested in us, his people … Bishop Edward will be remembered as a fearless peace-builder – as exemplified by his courage on Bloody Sunday – and as a holy and humble faith leader,” the archbishop said.
First maternity clinic for rape survivors opens
Britain’s first maternity clinic especially for rape survivors has opened in London.
The My Body Back clinic provides extra support to women who have experienced sexual violence. The clinic, based at the Royal London Hospital and co-run by Barts Health NHS Trust, will have specially-trained midwives, psychologists and paediatricians.
Pavan Amara, founder of the charity My Body Back, has said that working with rape survivors had led her to consider founding the clinic. “A number of the women told me how isolated they felt throughout pregnancy and labour and how it had triggered them into remembering their experience of being raped.”
The clinic will provide antenatal classes and breastfeeding advice especially suitable for women who have experienced rape and sexual assault.
Mark Bhagwandin of the pro-life charity Life welcomed the new clinic, saying it was “greatly needed for women who have bravely decided to continue with their pregnancy despite the devastating trauma brought on by rape. So often, women who become pregnant from rape are offered terminations which only adds trauma to their existing trauma,” he said.
“This appears to be a positive life-affirming initiative which shows compassion for both the mother and baby.”
Mr Bhagwandin added: “As an organisation with decades of experience counselling pregnant women in crisis, Life know firsthand that women in these difficult situations need counselling and support.”
Louise Silverton, director of midwifery for the Royal College of Midwives, also welcomed the initiative, saying: “The RCM hopes that this scheme will be introduced more widely across Britain.”
Faithful help to house refugees
A Brighton-based charity has launched a scheme to help house asylum seekers after an anonymous £10,000 donation from a Catholic community.
The registered charity, Voices in Exile, works with Brighton & Hove City Council to help refugees and asylum seekers with legal advice, immigration issues and housing.
Those interested in supporting the scheme can email administrator@ voicesinexile.org. More information is at brightonvoicesinexile.co.uk.
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