Tributes paid to late EU nuncio Archbishop Noël Treanor

Religious, political and diplomatic leaders in Ireland and beyond have paid tributes to the late Archbishop Noël Treanor, Apostolic Nuncio to the EU and former Bishop of Down and Connor, who died on Sunday in Brussels aged 73.

Mgr Mariano Crociata, president of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (Comece) said: “We have lost a true man of dialogue who passionately and creatively accompanied EU integration from a Catholic perspective.”

Archbishop Treanor was appointed to the EU role by Pope Francis in 2022 after 14 years at the helm in the Diocese of Down and Connor. He took up the prestigious international role in January 2023.

Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ of Down and Connor said in a statement on Monday that it was “with a profound sense of shock and sadness” that he learned of the death of Archbishop Treanor.

“As a priest of the Diocese of Clogher, as Bishop of the Diocese of Down and Connor and in later years as Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union, Archbishop Treanor continuously dedicated and devoted his life to the proclamation of the Gospel, to the pastoral care of the vulnerable and to the social mission of the Church.”

The leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin described his death as a “sad time for all who knew him across Ireland, Europe and throughout the universal Church”.

He added: “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 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 Luxeuil les Bains in France.”

Archbishop Martin said Archbishop Treanor served most of his ordained ministry 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.”

The Co Monaghan-native, who was born on Christmas Day 1950, attended St Patrick’s College in Maynooth before studying in Rome. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Clogher in 1976 at St Macartan’s Cathedral in Co Monaghan and served in both Monaghan and Enniskillen parishes.

During his years in Clogher he worked as a curate and hospital chaplain in Monaghan town and in Enniskillen, and as director of adult education and coordinator of the diocesan assembly of clergy.

A member of the Council for European Affairs of the Irish Bishops Conference, he was secretary-general of Comece from 1993 until his appointment as Bishop of Down and Connor in 2008.

He was ordained a bishop in St Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast, on 29 June 2008.

In his statement on Monday, Mgr Crociata of Comece said the bishops of the European Union and the staff at the Comece secretariat had learned with “deep sorrow” of his death.

“Archbishop Treanor left an indelible mark on all of us. He was a tireless servant of God, a true man of dialogue, an accurate analyser and an exceptionally gifted speaker. In Northern Ireland, he was a fervent promoter of reconciliation and peace, acting as a bridge-builder between communities.

“As an enthusiast advocate of the European project as a means to achieve the common good, he later laid the foundations for Comece’s development, bringing the voice of faith to the heart of the European Union.”

When Pope Francis appointed him Apostolic Nuncio to the EU in 2022, his experience greatly facilitated his diplomatic efforts, furthering collaboration between the EU and the Catholic Church. “His passing is a significant loss for all of us, for the Church, and for the European Union,” said Mgr Crociata.

Archbishop John McDowell, the Church of Ireland Primate of All Ireland, also paid tribute saying he had got to know Archbishop Noel “well through work which we did together in relation to the impact of Brexit” and he praised his “considerable diplomatic and academic skills” which he had used “to ensure that Christian values were advocated for at the heart of the European Union”.

He said: “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. Noël 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.

“Archbishop Noël’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,” Archbishop McDowell continued.

“Noël 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 Noël at his home in Brussels en route to a ceremony in Messines.”

Archbishop Treanor’s tenure in Down and Connor saw him give strong leadership in relation to Brexit, where he signalled the potential negative impact on Northern Ireland, as well as on the peace process, and North-South and Anglo–Irish relations.

He repeatedly highlighted the impact of the cost of living and energy crises on the people of Northern Ireland, where some of the worst pockets of poverty in the UK are found and was critical of the Legacy Bill and Westminster’s imposition of abortion on Northern Ireland.

When news of his appointment to the EU was announced, he said he was leaving Down and Connor after 14 years of fond memories. “I will always value and consider my time in Down and Connor as a blessing from God,” he said.

Challenging events during his time as Bishop of Down and Connor included clerical abuse. He commissioned an independent review, which in 2011 found that allegations of child abuse had been made against 40 priests in the diocese over 50 years.

At the time, he said he wanted to restore trust with Church members that all allegations of abuse were being investigated.

Northern Ireland’s First Minister, Michelle O’Neill, said she was shocked and saddened by the news of the death of Archbishop Treanor and extended her condolences to his family.

Trócaire said he had been “incredibly supportive” of its work and that had served as a custodian of the charity’s mission, ethos and values.

The Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Michael Jackson, said everyone involved in Christian witness and engagement in Ireland and beyond was saddened by the death of Archbishop 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.

“I first met Noël 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.

“Noël 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.”

At the time of his appointment to the EU role, Archbishop Treanor said: “Diplomacy plays a key role in facilitating peace, understanding and goodwill among peoples and nations”.

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