Archbishop Noël Treanor, the Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union, died unexpectedly on 11 August, aged 73 years old. Pope Francis appointed him Apostolic Nuncio to the EU in 2022.
In response, Archbishop Eamon Martin, the Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of All Ireland and President of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, released a <a href="https://www.catholicbishops.ie/2024/08/12/statement-by-archbishop-eamon-martin-on-the-death-of-archbishop-noel-treanor-rip/"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">statement</mark></a> on 12 August.
“I wish to express my sadness at the news of the death yesterday of Archbishop Noël Treanor RIP, Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union," Archbishop Martin said. "Like so many others, I am greatly shocked by the suddenness of Archbishop Noël’s premature passing.
“Archbishop Noël served most of his ordained ministry in working to forge positive relations with partner countries of the European Union and to help nourish the Christian heart and soul of Europe.”
Recalling his attendance of the Plenary Assembly of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (COMCE) which took place during June in Belgrade, Serbia, to discuss “the future of the Christian faith in Europe”, Archbishop Martin said: “Archbishop Noël’s keen intellect, insight and leadership provided an invaluable contribution to our discussion.”
He added: "[Archbishop Noël] followed closely in the footsteps and spirit of the founding fathers of closer European unity, including Venerable Robert Schuman whom he had honoured recently at Luxeil les Bains in France."<br><br>2024 has proven a busy year for bishops involved with the EU. Earlier this year, the Bishops of the European Union <a href="https://catholicherald.co.uk/abortion-can-never-be-a-fundamental-right-bishops-warn-eu/?swcfpc=1"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">reiterated their firm opposition</mark></a> to efforts to add the right to abortion in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.<br><br>Around the same time, they <a href="https://catholicherald.co.uk/european-bishops-warn-against-ideological-expansion-as-eu-grows/?swcfpc=1"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">voiced support for the European Union’s future enlargement plans</mark></a>, saying it provides a unique opportunity to showcase the value of fraternity, while they also cautioned against the imposition of ideology and the pursuit of particular interests. <br><br>Come the European Parliamentary elections in July, the <a href="https://catholicherald.co.uk/european-elections-results-could-both-hinder-and-help-popes-agenda/"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">Right-wing shift that had been predicted</mark></a> didn't materialise to the degree that had been expected (and perhaps feared by some members of COMCE). <br><br>Irish president Michael D Higgins said Archbishop Treanor’s death will represent “a significant diplomatic loss in relation to the discussion on the future of Europe”, <a href="https://www.gazetteherald.co.uk/news/national/24512306.tributes-paid-archbishop-noel-treanor-following-death-73/"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">reports</mark></a> the <em>Gazette & Herald</em>.
“Archbishop Treanor had a deep knowledge of the institutions of the EU, informed by his time as secretary-general of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union,” the Irish president said.
He added: “At a time when many are seeking to recover the original purpose of the EU, he always emphasised peace, requiring reference to the principal reason for the existence of the union as the elimination of war, as sought from the EU’s foundation, and the importance of the hard work necessary to build peace in conditions of difference."<br><br>COMECE President Mgr. Mariano Crociata <a href="https://www.comece.eu/comece-mourns-the-death-of-apostolic-nuncio-to-the-european-union-mgr-noel-treanor/"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">said</mark></a> of Archbishop Treanor’s death: “We have lost a true man of dialogue who passionately and creatively accompanied EU integration from a Catholic perspective.”<br><br>Concluding his statement on behalf of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Archbishop Martin said:
“At this sad time for all who knew him across Ireland, Europe and throughout the universal Church, I join with Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ of Down and Connor, and with Bishop Larry Duffy of his native diocese of Clogher, in offering my prayers for the happy repose of the soul of Archbishop Noël, and for the comfort of his brother, sister, extended family members and close friends at this difficult time.”<br><br>He then offered the following prayer:
“May the light of Heaven shine upon Archbishop Noël; may God in His loving mercy look kindly upon him, comfort his relatives, friends, colleagues and former parishioners, and may he receive the welcome of the good and faithful servant.”
As well as a tradition Irish blessing:
<em>Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilís</em>, which translates roughly as “May his holy soul rest at the right hand of God”. <br><br><strong>RELATED: <a href="https://catholicherald.co.uk/taking-stock-of-the-uk-riots-catholicism-and-the-crisis-of-anglo-celtic-identity/?swcfpc=1"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">Taking stock of the UK riots: Catholicism and the crisis of Anglo-Celtic identity</mark></a></strong><br><br><em>Photo: Archbishop Noël Treanor (25 December 1950 – 11 August 2024), Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union. (Courtesy Catholic Communications Office archive/Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference.)</em>
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