Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All-Ireland has offered words of comfort during a visit to the home of the family members who died in the Buncrana pier tragedy on Sunday last.
Archbishop Eamon, himself a native of Derry, wishes to express the closeness of so many of the people of Ireland to Louise and the extended family and friends of Mark, Evan, Jodie-Lee, Ruth and Sean.
He visited Holy Family Parish Church to sign the book of condolence and meet with Bishop Donal McKeown, Bishop of Derry, and with the parish priest Father Paddy O’Kane, who will officiate at the funeral service tomorrow, Holy Thursday.
During his visit Archbishop Eamon expressed his support and offered prayers for Louise and baby Rionaghac-Ann, as well as for the people of Derry and Buncrana who have been so deeply affected by the tragedy.
“At a time like this I realise that any words of mine are totally inadequate,” said Archbishop Eamon.
“The enormous tragedy that has struck this family has stunned us all into silence. What can we say? All we can offer is our spiritual presence with them and the promise of our prayers.
“People from all over Ireland and beyond want to be close to all the bereaved in this time of grief and desolation.
“Even in the midst of such awful tragedy this family has made us all think of how precious and important our loved ones are to us.
“In the coming days of the Easter Triduum, as people from all over Ireland gather in Church to remember the suffering and sense of abandonment that Jesus felt on the Cross at Calvary, we will be thinking especially of Louise, baby Rionaghac-Ann and their extended family and friends.
“And we will pray that, in this darkness, the Risen Christ, our Light and our Hope, will comfort them and all those who knew and loved Mark, Evan, Jodie-Lee, Ruth and Sean. May they rest in the peace of Christ.”
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