Church leaders pays tribute to former Taoiseach John Bruton RIP

Source: Irish Catholic Media Office

The former Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland, John Bruton died at the Mater Hospital in Dublin yesterday morning, after a long illness. He was 76. His family said in statement: "He was a good husband, a good father and a true patriot. We will miss him greatly."

Mr Bruton served as Taoiseach from 1994 to 1997. He was instrumental in developing the Northern Ireland peace process together with UK Prime Minister John Major, with whom he launched the Anglo-Irish Framework Document, external in 1995.

Bishop Tom Deenihan, Bishop of Meath, said he was very sorry to hear of the death of John Bruton. He wrote: "I offer my sincere sympathy and prayers to his wife Finola, son Matthew, daughters Juliana, Emily and Mary-Elizabeth, his brother Richard and to his sister Mary.

John will be remembered as a man of principle and virtue, which was evident in his successful tenure in public life and as Taoiseach from 1994 to 1997. He was also a man of faith who recognised the notions of service and the common good in his career as well as the importance of faith and parish. John was a valued and active member of the Dunboyne parish community.

He was also a person of integrity and stature and the people of Meath have always been proud of John's leadership as both Taoiseach, and as European Ambassador to the United States, roles that he served with distinction.

John Bruton's legacy to our society is that of a committed Christian, a patriot, a selfless public servant who innately understood that sacrifice was a perquisite to the common good.

On this sad day for John's family, I pray for the happy repose of his soul, mindful of the blessing from the ritual:

Blessed are those who have died in the Lord;
Let them rest from their labours,
For their good deeds go with them.

He will be remembered warmly.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilís.

Archbishop Dermot Farrell, Archbishop of Dublin writes: It was with profound sadness that I learned this morning of the death of John Bruton. Throughout his life and long political career, John was dedicated to a truly democratic Ireland and a truly democratic Europe. As a committed politician and dedicated leader John Bruton embodied some of the finest qualities of political leadership, qualities without which offices of State risk losing necessary commitment to, and work for, the common good. A man deep conviction and profound Christian faith, John realised from an early age that the future of Ireland and the future of Europe were inseparable.

His work, both as government minister and Taoiseach in a very different Ireland, and at a difficult time in our history - as well as his work in the European Union - bore witness to what the recently deceased Jacques Delors frequently called Europe's soul: a shared sense of values and grounded in a spirituality. Every people and every country need contact with its heart and its soul. In John Bruton we had someone who was a sure guide on that journey.

I wish to express my sympathy to his wife, Finola, his son, Matthew, his daughters, Emily, Juliana, and Mary-Elizabeth, to his brother, Richard, and sister, Mary.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

May he rest in peace.