BishopAccountability.org
	Cardinal Levada Leads St Patrick's Jubilee Celebrations in Rome Vatican Radio March 17, 2011 http://www.oecumene.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=470712 On Thursday, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, US native Cardinal William Joseph Levada, presided at a special jubilee mass for the Irish community in Rome. On St Patrick’s day, March 17th 1911, the Church dedicated to the Apostle of Ireland opened its doors for worship, becoming the national church for the Irish community in the heart of the eternal city. In his homily the Cardinal Prefect spoke of the Christian meaning of jubilee, of celebrating the history of being Church and the tradition of faith that has been strong in the Irish people since their conversion over 1500 years ago. Cardinal Levada said no one can ignore the current difficult situation for the Church in the country, speaking of the “terrible crime of sexual abuse of children, who are most beloved of Christ” and called on Catholics at home in Ireland and abroad to pray for the conversion of sinners. He spoke of the concern of Pope Benedict and Holy See for the renewal of the Irish Church, mentioning the ongoing Apostolic Visitation and efforts being established at a local level. Finally he called on the young people to allow themselves be inspired by the story of the young man Patrick and his missionary dream, so they in turn may bring “the good news of the Gospel” to future generations. Cardinal Levada’s words rang particularly true for the young priests and seminarians of the Pontifical Irish College who served mass in St Patricks Thursday. Irish Minister for Education, Ruairi Quinn and Ambassador to the Holy See Noel Fahey, represented the government. Under the patronage of the Irish Augustinians, St Patricks is a mere stones throw away from the bustling decadence of the famous Via Veneto. It is considered among the ‘youngest churches’ in the eternal city, one of the first to be built following the fall of the Papal States and the unification of Italy in the1860’s. A magnificent mosaic of the Apostle of Ireland dominates the sanctuary of the Church, depicting his conversion of the High King Laoghaire on the hill at Tara, using the shamrock to explain the Trinity. A banner below reads Ut Christiani ita romani sitis, or “As you are Christians be Romans also”, a phrase attributed to the Saint. “It is a time of great change in the Church in Ireland but in Europe too”, says Fr. James Downy, prior of the Augustinian community of St Patricks. “Our order, this very building is symbolic of this change. Where it will lead to no-one knows, but we must have hope”. Listen to his full interview with Emer McCarthy: mp3 http://212.77.9.15/audiomp3/00252772.MP3
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.