EU Apostolic Nuncio Noël Treanor dies aged 73

Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union Archbishop Noël Treanor has died aged 73.

It is understood the Emeritus Bishop of Down and Connor passed away this morning.

The EU's Apostolic Nunciature is an ecclesiastical office of the Catholic Church with offices in Brussels.

Pope Francis announced the appointment of Archbishop Treanor to the role in 2022.

The Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland expressed sadness on behalf of the Irish Bishops Conference at the death of Archbishop Treanor.

Archbishop Eamon Martin said Archbishop Treanor served most of his ordained ministry in working to forge positive relations with partner countries of the European Union and to help nourish the Christian heart and soul of Europe.

The two men met in Belgrade at the Plenary Assembly of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences in June.

In a statement, Archbishop Martin noted his colleague’s "keen intellect, insight and leadership", which he said, "provided an invaluable contribution to our discussion".

The Archbishop Primate has joined with Bishop Alan McGuckian of Down and Connor in offering prayers for the repose of Archbishop Treanor’s soul and "for the comfort of his brother, sister, extended family members and close friends at this difficult time".

President Michael D Higgins offered his condolences, saying Archbishop Treanor's death represented "a significant diplomatic loss" in relation to the discussion on the Future of Europe.

He said Archbishop Treanor was deeply committed to the possibilities of a Union that "respects difference, and that was based on a shared ethic".

President Higgins also noted that he participated in a wide consultation titled 'A Soul for Europe', organised by Noël Treanor during the Presidency of the European Commission of Jacques Delors.

A native of Co Monaghan

Archbishop Treanor was born on Christmas Day in 1950 in Monaghan town.

He completed his early education at Saint Mary’s Christian Brothers School in Co Monaghan.

He pursued his third level education at Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth and in Rome.

He was ordained a priest in 1976 for service in the diocese of Clogher in Saint Macartan’s Cathedral, Co Monaghan.

He was appointed to the staff of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) in 1989.

Archbishop Treanor was appointed Secretary General of COMECE four years later.

A post he continued to hold until his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI as Bishop of Down and Connor in 2008.

He began working in the role of the Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union in January 2023.

Archbishop Treanor is survived by his brother John and his sister Mary.