Bishop Lagan funeral to take place in Strabane on Thursday

Dr Lagan passed away in the early hours of Tuesday. He was aged 85.

He held the position of Auxiliary Bishop in the diocese for 22 years, from 1988 to 2010, and served the church for more than sixty years in a variety of roles.

Bishop Lagan stepped down from his position as Auxiliary Bishop when he retired at the age of 75.

His remains will be brought to the Immaculate Conception Church, Strabane, on Wednesday, where they will repose overnight. Current COVID-19 restrictions will be in place.

Funeral Mass will take place in Immaculate Conception Church on Thursday at 12 noon. Mass will be live-streamed by webcam and there will be no concelebration.

The Funeral Mass will also take place with COVID-19 restrictions applying. Burial will take place afterwards at Glen, Maghera, again with current coronavirus restrictions.

Among those paying tribute to Dr Lagan was the Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Brian Tierney, who described him as “a hugely popular figure locally who dedicated his life to serving the parishioners of this city and district”.

The Derry-born leader of the Irish Catholic Church, Archbishop Eamon Martin, said Dr Lagan was a “caring brother priest and a gentle shepherd”.

“His parishioners found him to be sincere and welcoming, a man of prayer and a warm and understanding confessor,” he added.

The Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Dr Andrew Forster, also offered his condolences following Dr Lagan’s death.

“He was a gifted pastor and distinguished educator, who will be remembered most of all, perhaps, for his great gentility and kindness to all,” said Dr Forster.