Fr Edward Daly waves a white handkerchief as an injured man is carried away on Bloody Sunday
THE people of Derry have been urged to pray for for retired Bishop Edward Daly.
His family are currently at his beside as he remained “gravely ill” in hospital.
The diocese of Derry has called for prayers for Bishop Daly who was taken to Altnagelvin hospital in the city several days ago.
It is understood the 82-year-old prominent cleric was being treated for a long-term illness.
A spokesman for the diocese confirmed that the bishop’s family were with him in hospital.
“He is very, very gravely ill but he is comfortable in Altnagelvin hospital surrounded by his immediate family and friends,” the spokesman said.
“We are asking people to remember Bishop Daly in their prayers.”
From Belleek, Co Fermanagh, the Bishop Daly rose to prominence on Bloody Sunday in 1972 when he was pictured waving a blood-stained handkerchief as he led a group of men carrying fatally-injured 17-year-old victim Jackie Duddy.
A 39-year-old priest at St Eugene’s Cathedral, the then Fr Daly was near Mr Duddy when he was shot.
He anointed the teenager and gave him the Last Rites.
As a measure of the respect his adopted city felt for him, he was awarded the Freedom of Derry last year, along with Anglican bishop Dr James Mehaffey.
Dr Daly was ordained as Bishop of Derry in 1974 and became a key figure during the Troubles.
A brother of former SDLP politician Tom Daly, Dr Daly played a prominent role along with former Catholic Primate, Tomás Ó Fiaich, during the 1981 hunger strikes.
He supported several campaigns against injustice and also incurred the wrath of the republican movement for his forthright condemnation of IRA violence.
The cleric worked as a chaplain to Derry’s Foyle Hospice for many years but stepped down from the position earlier this year.
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