Peacemaker Priest Father Gerry Reynolds Dies

A Redemptorist priest who worked for peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland has died.

SDLP MLA Alex Attwood said Father Gerry Reynolds touched the lives of countless numbers of people.

Father Reynolds was based at Clonard Monastery in west Belfast for over 30 years.

Mr Attwood said: "On behalf of the SDLP and my own family I wish to express our deepest sympathy to the family of father Gerry Reynolds and to his friends in the Clonard community.

He was forever working to make peace. His special work with Fr Alec Reid was one example of this. His life was defined by such work, seeking out the opportunity for good to prevail.

"He was devoted to the monastery, the people of Clonard and all of West Belfast. He brought Christian witness into private lives and public spaces.

"At birth, during life and at death Fr Gerry Reynolds was part of the lives of many, many people. He was deeply loved."

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams TD said: "Fr Reynolds embraced the importance of dialogue with other churches. He was a leader in ecumenical outreach and was instrumental in helping to facilitate discussions between members of the Protestant churches and Irish republicans.

"I want to extend to his family, and to colleagues in the Redemptorist Order, and to his many friends my sincerest condolences."

(CD/MH)