John Hume ‘gave his life and his health’ for peace in Ireland

Speaking at the Nobel laureate’s Requiem Mass in St Eugene’s Cathedral this morning, Rev. Paul Farren said Mr Hume “never lost faith in peace and he never lost faith in his ability to convince others that peace was the only way.”

“Even in the darkest moments, when people would have been forgiven for having no hope, John made peace visible for others,” added Father Farren. “His vision revealed what could be and, with time and determination and single-mindedness and stubbornness, he convinced others that peace could be a reality.”

Mr Hume was, said Rev. Farren, someone who could never pass by on the other side.

“John never kept a distance,” he said. “He stopped. He showed compassion. He got involved. He gave dignity and he gave life to so many people.

“In a time in our world when often small-mindedness and self-focus seems to be the driver, John never put anybody or any specific group first. He put everybody first. He didn’t focus on difference and division. He focused on unity and peace and giving that dignity to every person.

“We should never underestimate how difficult it was for John to cross the road and do what was intensely unpopular for the greater good. It was compassion – a compassion that bubbled over in the cemetery in Greysteel - that drove John on the final and often lonely and always difficult road to peace.”

Rev. Farren said that, above all else, John Hume was a “proud Derry man - first and foremost.”

“His commitment to Derry was second to none. His aim was to bring life and prosperity to this city – to lift people out of poverty and he did everything possible to make that a reality. He always said his proudest achievement was the establishment of the Credit Union.”

Rev. Farren said that of all the houses Mr Hume ever sat in - whether it was the White House in Washington DC or the House of Commons in London - he was always most comfortable in the ‘house of God’ - particularly St Eugene’s Cathedral.

He said that he regularly saw Mr Hume sitting in the Cathedral praying quietly.

“Here, before his God, the humility of John was plain to be seen.”

Rev. Farren said that so many people had benefited from “the remarkable life that John lived and the courage and determination that he has shown”.

He added: “We give thanks to God for the gift of life itself that so many people have today simply because of John’s vision of peace, commitment to peace and to making peace a reality. Because, make no mistake about it – there are people alive today who would not be alive had it not been for John’s vision and his work.”

Rev. Farren also paid tribute to Mr Hume’s family who, he said, had also made “massive sacrifices” for peace.

Speaking directly to the Hume family, the priest said: “Your father and your grandfather couldn’t be at home too much because there were too many people along the way home that needed help. He couldn’t pass anybody. He brought many of them home. When you came down for breakfast any morning, you never knew who might be at the table from the most famous politician to a lady needing to be rehoused. You never knew who would be knocking at your door or, tragically, sometimes trying to burn your door down. Today, as we pray for you, we thank you for the gift of your father.”

Rev. Farren had particular praise for Mr Hume’s wife, Pat, who, he said, had always stood behind her husband to defend him and support him.

He added: “Pat stood beside him to love him and accompany him even in the most difficult times and, when his health failed and his mind got weaker, she walked in front of him to lead him. Pat encircled John with love, compassion and support and it was your presence that made his work possible. When the history of Ireland is written, if Pat Hume’s name is not beside John’s, it will be an incomplete history.”

Bishop Donal McKeown told mourners that Mr Hume was someone who, while belonging to Derry, had also strode the world stage.

“This is not just a local event,” he said. “I want to welcome those from around the world who join us on television or social media platforms to pay tribute to a son of this city. Many of you would have wished to be here in person. But that is not possible for reasons far beyond our control.

“I want especially to acknowledge the many thousands of people from this city and from around the island who would have wanted to show publicly their esteem

for John and their gratitude for what he, one of themselves, had achieved. Your participation today is as important for John Hume as that of the the others here.”

John Hume, said the Bishop, “did not just dream of peace. His life’s vocation was to be peacemaker for the good of others. Because of his past, we can face the future.”