The renowned Irish HIV/AIDS activist and former priest, Bernárd Lynch, has received the freedom of the City of London.
Born in Ennis, Co Clare, Mr Lynch rose to prominence while working as a Catholic priest in New York as the AIDS epidemic took hold.
After his time in New York, Bernárd Lynch moved to London, where he set up a support group for gay priests.
Speaking after the Freedom of the City of London this afternoon, Mr Lynch described it as an honour.
"My work hasn't always been the most popular, with people with HIV/AIDS, and of course, one doesn't do good in order to be popular. I represent not only myself but all those who worked in that field," he said.
Mr Lynch had described the idea of receiving such a recognition back when he was working directly with AIDS sufferers in the 1980s in New York as the "furthest thing" from his imagination.
Bernárd Lynch was nominated for the Freedom of the City of London for his charitable and campaigning work to support LGBTQ+ people and those affected by HIV/AIDS.
Vincent Dignam, a representative of the City Livery Company which nominated Bernárd Lynch, explained that it was also in recognition of his work in relation to St Patrick's Day in London, alongside "all the work that he'd done for those with HIV, the LGBT community, marginalised people, his work in New York and in charity".
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Bernárd Lynch has been recognised for his work on numerous occasions, receiving the Distinguished Service Awards for the Irish Abroad from President Michael D Higgins in 2019.
He was also recognised in his native Co Clare with a civic reception, the highest honour the county can bestow on him.
Previous recipients of the Freedom of the City of London include Nelson Mandela, Ed Sheeran and the Minister for Public Expenditure, Paschal Donohue.
Read more:
National Library acquires papers of HIV/AIDs activist Lynch
