Tributes paid after death of former Bishop of Down and Connor: ‘His dedication will be remembered’ (2024)

He passed away in Brussels at the age of 73 on Sunday morning.

His death was announced by Alan McGuckian, the current Bishop of Down and Connor.

Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin paid tribute to his colleague.

“On behalf of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, I wish to express my sadness at the news of the death yesterday of Archbishop Noël Treanor RIP, Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union. Like so many others, I am greatly shocked by the suddenness of Archbishop Noël’s premature passing,” he said.

Archbishop Martin said he was a loved priest throughout the island or Ireland and further afield.

“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. In a special way I remember the priests, religious and faithful of the dioceses of Down and Connor, and of Clogher,” he said.

Archbishop Martin shared how he met Archbishop Treanor.

“In June, I had the privilege of meeting with Archbishop Noël when he spoke to the Plenary Assembly of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences which took place in Belgrade, Serbia,” he said.

“He 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.

“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.

“At our meeting in Belgrade, bishops reflected on the future of the Christian faith in Europe, and Archbishop Noël’s keen intellect, insight and leadership provided an invaluable contribution to our discussion,” he said.

Archbishop Martin passed on his sympathies to Archbishop Treanor’s loved ones.

"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,” he said.

Archbishop of Dublin, Michael Jackson also issued a tribute.

“Everyone involved in Christian witness and engagement in Ireland and beyond is saddened by the death of Archbishop Noel Treanor.

“The ecumenical life of Europe was instinctive to him and he made a sustained contribution over decades through COMECE and more recently as Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union.

“He also brought this wisdom and grace to bear on the Christian Churches in Ireland through being Bishop of Down and Connor,” he said.

Archbishop Jackson said the pair had been friends for a long time.

“I first met Noel in the Diocese of Clogher that is native to us both. Bishop Joseph Duffy and I felt that parishes should mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in their parishes and communities during The Octave of Prayer. We held gatherings on the afternoon of Pentecost Sunday in a range of different ecclesiastical sites outdoors.

“Noel spoke at one of those held in his native County Monaghan with ease and eloquence, with faith and friendliness. He moved gracefully among neighbours, school friends and family members,” he said.

He also offered his sympathy to Archbishop Treanor’s family and friends.

“I wish to record his personal friendship and support over many years. I wish also to express my condolences to his bereaved family members, fellow priests and bishops.

“Most of all I want to thank God for the opportunity to know a good man.

“May Noel rest in peace and rise in glory.”

Archbishop John McDowell, the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland was another clergy member paying tribute.

“I was profoundly shocked to hear of the sudden death of Archbishop Noel Treanor, Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union and, for many years prior to that, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Down and Connor, a vast and demanding diocesan area with a commensurate workload.

“Prior to returning to Ireland to take up episcopal ministry, Archbishop Noel was the Director of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) where he used his considerable diplomatic and academic skills to ensure that Christian values were advocated for at the heart of the European Union,” he said.

Archbishop McDowell said he has developed a strong friendship with Archbishop Treanor over the past several years.

“Archbishop Noel hailed from Tyholland in Co. Monaghan and retained a strong affection and many connections in that beautiful Border parish. I got to know Archbishop Noel well through work which we did together in relation to the impact of Brexit.

“When I was Bishop of Clogher I was delighted when he accepted an invitation to speak at an ecumenical gathering in the little Church of Ireland parish church in Tyholland,” he said.

He praised Archbishop Treanor’s ability to connect with people from a range of backgrounds.

“Noel was always extremely well prepared for any engagement and arrived with a hefty volume of paper in his case. However, half-way through his address he abandoned his notes and spoke directly to many people in that small Protestant community whose families he had grown up with and for whom he had a clear and clear-eyed affection. It was a truly memorable occasion,” he said.

Archbishop McDowell also praised Archbishop Treanor’s work across Europe.

“Noel was a most accomplished linguist moving freely between English, Italian, French, German and Spanish. Although not someone given to emotional flourishes, he was a wonderful host and dialogue partner and I well remember a very convivial dinner he shared with Archbishop Eamon Martin and me when we called on Noel at his home in Brussels en route to a ceremony in Messines.

“Archbishop Noel’s final posting in Brussels was one of immense complexity and diplomatic delicacy which must have been a challenge to his naturally perfectionist instincts; yet never verbose, he was always worth listening to,” he said.

He ended his tribute offering sympathy to Archbishop Treanor’s family.

“My prayers and sympathy go to his brother John and his sister Mary as I reflect with warmth and gratitude on a deeply civilised and widely read episcopal colleague but above all faithful disciple of our common Lord.”

Colin McGrath, an SDLP MLA for South Down, also paid tribute.

"I remember his work and especially his opening of the new Primary school building at my old school in Saul,” he said in a post on X.

Phillip Brett, the DUP MLA for North Belfast, said he was “very sorry” at his passing.

“His dedication and service to North Belfast, in particular to the Mater Hospital, will be fondly remembered,” he added.

EU diplomat Angelina Eichhorst said there was “shock and sadness” at the news.

"My sincere condolences to the Nuncio’s family and friends. His passing is a terrible loss, may he rest in peace,” she posted on social media.

The senior cleric was appointed as The Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union two years ago.

The role in the ecclesiastical office of the Catholic Church, which has offices in Brussels, was announced by Pope Francis in 2022.

However Archbishop Treanor, who was born on Christmas Day in 1950 and originally from Monaghan town, did not commence the role until January 2023.

After completing his early education at Saint Mary’s Christian Brothers School in the county, he embarked on his third level education at Saint Patrick’s College in Maynooth and subsequently in Rome.

The young scholar was ordained as a priest in 1976 for service in the diocese of Clogher in Saint Macartan’s Cathedral in Co Monaghan before being appointed to the staff of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) in 1989.

Four years later, the cleric was appointed Secretary General of COMECE and remained in the post until his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI as Bishop of Down and Connor in 2008.

Archbishop Treanor is survived by his brother John and his sister Mary.