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Statement by the Archbishop of Armagh on the death of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
A statement from the Most Revd John McDowell, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland:
‘With profound sympathy for Her Majesty the Queen, I wish to express my sincere condolences to her and her whole family on the death of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. Her Majesty’s sense of loss must be very great after over 70 years of unbroken love and friendship.
‘In remembering and reflecting on a life of service, including as an Naval Officer in the Second World War, we recall his exemplary sense of duty to the nation and Commonwealth over seven decades and, most especially, his love, honour and obedience to Her Majesty.
‘Prince Philip accepted and developed a unique role in the life of the United Kingdom, always closely supporting the Queen as her “liege man of life and limb”, and continuing to serve in an active public life which continued long after many would have sought to lay aside a heavy burden of public service. My prayers will be with the Royal Family in the days to come.’
'The Archbishop’s Commissary for Clogher Diocese, Revd Canon Ian Ellis added: 'We in the Diocese of Clogher, join with the Archbishop in praying for Her Majesty the Queen and members of the Royal Family upon the death of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.
'We look back most fondly to the 2012 Royal visit by Her Majesty and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, to Enniskillen for a service in St Macartin’s Cathedral followed by the remarkable crossing of the street to visit St Michael’s Roman Catholic Church. The manner of this gesture by the Royal couple in reaching across the divide, coupled with the warmth of the welcome by the local community has done so much in breaking down traditional community barriers.
'The work of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme has also achieved so much in developing skills and confidence in the lives of countless young people through our schools and youth organisations.'