Pope Wants New Nuncio to " Solidify and Strengthen the Holy See's Relations with Ireland"
By Gerard O'Connell
"Something new is indeed happening. I am convinced that the Lord is preparing something beautiful for his Church", the new Papal Nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop Charles Brown, said in Dublin's pro-Cathedral, after presenting his credentials to the President of Ireland As he began his mission to Ireland, the new Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Charles J. Brown, delivered two messages. He said Pope Benedict XVI had sent him to "solidify and strengthen relations" between the Holy See and the Irish Republic and to assure the Irish people of his "great love for them" and his determination to combat the abuse of minors by clergy and assist victims. He conveyed the first message when he presented his credentials to the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, on February 16, and he delivered the second when he preached in Dublin's pro-Cathedral three days later. The New York born archbishop arrived in Dublin on January 31, after being ordained bishop some weeks earlier by Pope Benedict, at whose side he had worked in the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith from 1994-2005. When he arrived at Aras an Uachtarain, the President's residence, a guard of honor saluted him while an Army band played. Speaking after handing over his Letter of Credence, the smiling nuncio conveyed the Pope's "heartfelt greetings" and "esteem" to the President "of this great nation" as well as "his best wishes and sincere affection for all the people of Ireland". "It is Pope Benedict's fervent desire that I, as his representative, will do everything in my power to solidify and strengthen the relations between the Holy See and Ireland", he told the President. Recalling how the two sides had diplomatic relations since 1929 and that the Irish people has enjoyed relations with the Successor of Peter for over 1500 years, he said he hoped "to confirm and deepen this mutually beneficial and historic relationship". President Higgins responded by asking the nuncio to convey "my best wishes and the best wishes of the people of Ireland" to the Pope. He emphasized the "many areas of international policy" in which Ireland shares positions with the Holy See, such as in regards to "development, poverty, disarmament", and concluded by wishing the new nuncio "every happiness and success" as representative of the Holy See and as Dean of the diplomatic corps. The President then introduced him to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Eamon Gilmore, and to Ireland's non-resident ambassador to the Holy See, David Cooney. Their presence at the ceremony was a clear sign from the Government that it too treasures and wishes to strengthen this relationship. Three days later, on Sunday February 19, Archbishop Brown concelebrated mass with Archbishop Diarmuid Martin in the pro-Cathedral, Dublin, and in his homily he delivered his second message before a congregation that included priests, men and women religious, members of various Catholic organizations and associations, representatives of the other Christian communities, and of the Government and the Lord Mayor. After greeting them in Gaelic, Archbishop Brown said he stood before them as one who represents "various realities". "I am the descendent of men and women of Ireland, who emigrated from this island, possessing little more than the treasure of their Catholic faith, which they, through the generations, have passed on to me. Were it not for the faith of Ireland, I would not be a Catholic today", he told them. Moreover, he came as one who had "worked for many years in the Roman Curia" and "had the privilege of working with Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI". Last but not least, he presented himself as a newly-ordained Catholic Bishop "and as such, with all my limitations and defects, a successor of the Apostles." But above and beyond all this, he said, he was here as "representative of the Bishop of Rome", and in that capacity he transmitted Benedict XVI's "best wishes" to those present and to the people of Ireland. Having worked "very closely" with Benedict XVI for many years, he said he could tell them that the Pope "has always had – and he continues to have – a great love for the people of Ireland and a high regard for the Catholic Church in Ireland, with its history of missionary richness and tenacious faith." He said Pope Benedict knows well that these recent years "have been difficult for Catholic believers in Ireland" and "was scandalized and dismayed as he learned about the tragedy of abuse perpetrated by some members of the clergy and of religious congregations". Moreover, the Pope "felt deeply the wounds of those who had been harmed and who so often had not been listened to." He recalled how "from the beginning, Pope Benedict was resolute and determined to put into place changes which would give the Church the ability to deal more effectively with those who abuse trust, as well as to provide the necessary assistance to those who had been victimized". He said the Pope "has been relentless and consistent on this front", and "I assure you that he will continue to be." He said he felt "a great joy" to be in Ireland, as the pope's representative, "especially in this year of the International Eucharistic Congress", and concluded by telling them, "Something new is indeed happening. I am convinced that the Lord is preparing something beautiful for his Church". Before the Nuncio's arrival at the pro-Cathedral, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin, told journalists he was convinced Ireland's Embassy to the Holy See would re-open "in some other way", probably in a "leaner form", but that would not happen immediately.
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